BOSTON - DAY 3 - MY FINAL DAY IN BOSTON.........

Actually it will be my final half day in Boston until I return Monday morning to fly home.  I arrived early, wanted to take the first harbor cruise so that I could be on the way back to the hotel to change to go to baccalaureate that evening.

The harbor cruise was very nice.  I am going to share a few pictures of Boston as taken from the cruise.  A completely different perspective.

This was a cargo ship coming into port from Japan full of automobiles.

As we were told while on our cruise  "The cargo ships come into port full of cars, will return to Japan full of money."

Look closely, you will see the two small tug boats, one beside, one behind, escorting the cargo ship into the harbor.

These buildings are built on short wharfs, once where smaller ships docked.  At that time there were no buildings.

These are apartment buildings, the apartments cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars to purchase.  The buildings are built on pilings in the harbor, and you receive 2 parking places on the shore with the purchase of the apartment.

 This is the skyline of downtown Boston as seen from the harbor.

You do have to admit, it is a beautiful skyline.

I wonder what the earlier Bostonians would think if they saw the skyline now.  What a shock to the system.

The next pictures I am going to share are of the CHART HOUSE.

This is the oldest building on Boston's Long Wharf.  In this building Thomas and John Hancock had their law offices.

The Hancock safe is still on the premises.

The building was built in the early 1700's, with large cellars for storing cargo.

This is one view from inside the building.  It is now a very beautiful restaurant.  Upon returning from the harbor cruise, I had my lunch there, felt I was entitled to splurge one time.  Had the most delicious coconut crusted shrimp. 

They have retained as much of the original building as possible, a very beautiful place.

Upon leaving the restaurant, returned to Cambridge to drive back to Bedford to change clothes and head to Paxton for the Baccalaureate.  Was to meet the family at their hotel in Paxton around 3 p.m..

So since this was my last day in Boston I thought I would share some interesting tidbits that I learned while hopping on and off trolleys:

DID YOU KNOW THAT:

Boston was first settled in 1630 by Puritans from England?
That native American presence in the area dates back 8,500 years"
That Boston, when first settled by the Puritans, was an Island?

That in the early 1800's many of Boston's hills were removed for landfill to fill in the back bay to connect Boston to the mainland?  It took 50 years to complete this undertaking.

How Boston got it's nickname "Bean Town"?
That Boston is home to more than 100 colleges and universities?
That Paul Revere actually had two additional men riding with him that night?
The warning light on Bunker Hill was actually barrels of tar burning?

That the Ivy League of Universities is not IVY League, but IV league, the roman numeral 4 for the 4 original Universities making up the IV league.  There are now 8 Universities.

Boston got the nickname of Beantown because the Puritans did no labor on the sabbath, so on Saturday prepared large pots of baked beans.  These could be eaten cold on Sunday, with no cooking involved.

The Parker House Hotel in Boston is where the first Parker House dinner rolls were served.  Also this is where the first Boston Cream Pie was served.

Boston built the first subway system in the country in 1897.

The first Mayor of Boston to have an automobile - James Michael Curley, had the FIRST automobile license plate issued in Boston and that the plate number was "567", the number of letters in the Mayor's name.  The OFFICIAL car for Boston's Mayor still uses the number "567".

In 1634 Boston Common became the first public park in America.

The Boston Tea party re-enactmant takes place in Boston Harbor every December 16th.

That on January 15 1919 the Great Molasses Flood occurred?  In the north end of Boston a tank of hot molasses burst at the Purity Distilling Company, dumping over 2 million gallons of HOT molasses into the streets, killing 21 people.  The clean-up took weeks, what a sticky mess this was, and to this day, in that area, when it is hot in Boston, people claim they can still smell the molasses in their basements.
(In case you don't know, molasses is what Boston uses when making their famous baked beans).

Enough now!  I am sure you have had all the history lessons you want for a while. 

Tomorrow I'll share Baccalaureate and Graduation with you.  I'm just positive you can hardly wait, but wait you must.  This is probably the laugh of the day.  So, have a good day and God Bless.

BOSTON - DAY 2 - PART FOUR........................

Finishing up day 2, I hopped off and on at trolley stops 7 - 8 -12.  This is a miscellaneous group of things that I thought interesting.

First - do you remember the TV show CHEERS?  If you do, I am sharing a couple of pictures with out of the outside of the building, one taken by me and one found on the web.  It was interesting to see the exterior of the building where the TV series was filmed.  As I said, this is a miscellaneous bunch of stuff.  This next picture is the one found on the web:

From there I continued on to the Trinity Church stop.  The construction of this building began in 1873 and was completed in 1877. The original Church was founded in 1733, was later replaced by the new building, which stands today.

The exterior of the Church catches you eye immediately.  It is very much an unique building.

I took the interior tour, which was quite an experience.  It was paid admission, and you received a map and did a self-guided tour.  The decorations, statues, and stained glass windows were a sight to be hold.

The entire time I was inside the Church there was an organist on the premises, playing beautiful music.  I could have just sat and listened for a while, but time was passing and I did not want to miss the last trolley to Cambridge and my car.

The organ was actually one of the old pipe organs, the sound unbelievable.

At the next stop I photographed the BOBBIE ORR GAME WINNING GOAL

statue outside the stadium.  This statue celebrates the May 10 1970 game-winning goal scored in overtime, giving the Boston Bruins their win.  the goal was scored as he was falling from being tripped.  I'll bet that was an exciting thing to see.

Another interesting fact, when Boston was first settled there were so many languages, so the storekeepers came up with the idea of placing an image of their product or service outside their stores.

I snapped this picture of the tea kettle outside of the coffee and tea business.  I saw a tooth hanging outside of the dentist's office.  I saw
a ring for a jeweler, slice of bread for a bakery, barber pole (we still have those today) for the barber), I think you get what I mean.

Is was interesting to see these old symbols displayed today in modern Boston.  As they say, "one picture is worth a thousand words".

And for the many languages spoken, it helped you to find what you were looking for.

Next stop was the current State House and the Shaw Memorial.  The State House was quite impressive with it's shiny gold dome, with the pineapple on top.  Why a pineapple?  I guess it is because at one time Maine was a part of Massachusetts, and broke away to become a separate state.  As the pineapple is one of Maine's symbols, Mass. has kept it on the state house reminding all that once Maine was part of Mass.

The keystone of this State House was set in 1795 by Paul Revere.  The building itself was completed in 1874.

Directly across the street from the State House is the Shaw Memorial.  This bronze sculpture memorial was created to honor Colonel Robert Gould Shaw and the 54th Massachusetts Colored Regiment who fought in the Civil War for the North. 

Almost all of this regiment was wiped out during the war, it is quite an impressive sculpture.

Hopping back on the trolley, I headed to Cambridge and the parking garage and the $24.00 parking fee.

From there I drove back to Bedford, had supper and called it a day.  

Tomorrow, a continuation of Day 2 in Boston, Friday, I planned to drive back to Cambridge (another $24.00) and take the harbor cruise that was part of the package deal.  That would use up the morning, then I would return to Bedford, change clothes, and head to Paxton for the Baccalaureate Services that evening for graduating grandson Kurtis. 

Unless something exciting happens - like getting my refrigerator fixed - I will cover tomorrow tomorrow. 

Until then - appreciate a refrigerator that actually works and God Bless.

BOSTON - DAY 2 - PART THREE.......................

Today I am going to share my favorite trolley stop of day 2.  The Boston Public Gardens and the famous Swan Boats.

The Gardens were established in 1937, next to Boston Commons.  It was the first public park in the country, so they say.


The little "suspension bridge"


The landscaping was beautiful, everywhere you looked there was something else to see, and admire.  Of course being there in the spring made it all the more beautiful.

This picture is of the, I guess you would call it a lagoon, with their little suspension bridge, supposedly the shortest one in the country.  Of course everything there is the best, the first, the biggest, the most historical, etc etc etc.  But you have to admit, it is a thing of beauty.

The flowering trees were in their glory, there were folks wandering along, some sitting on the benches reading, some eating their lunch, kids running, but not crowded.  It was a Thursday after all, school wasn't out yet, tourist season hadn't gotten underway, I had it made.

Most of the wildlife I saw were the birds, pigeons, ducks, white swans, and the lone little critter, a squirrel.


I'm not sure what this pigeon had, it was some kind of blossom that had fallen from the tree overhead, and this pigeon had grabbed it and was shaking it as hard as it could, you can see the blur that is the blossom.  I don't know what was in it, on it, or what, but this poor bird sure was working on it.  He doesn't look like he has missed too many meals.

Here is one of the many squirrels I saw, they were all the red fox squirrels.  Someone had discarded a sandwich, must not have liked it, but Mr. Squirrel seemed to think it was simply delicious.  He sure was working on it, and didn't seem to mind me standing there taking his picture at all. Again this little fellow doesn't look as if he has missed too many meals.

This is one of the pair of white swans that live in the lagoon.  I guess since they have the swan boats, they need the swans to go with them.  They just paddled around, staying out of the way of the boats, enjoying the sunshine, just like everyone else.

The Swan Boats are very much a part of Boston's history, quite unique.

In 1877 the park still wasn't considered a public garden.  It was just a lagoon with trees and grass around it where folks gathered to picnic, relax, and enjoy a day off.  That was the year that Mr. Robert Paget had the idea, and introduced small boats where visitors to the park could be paddled around the lagoon.  As the boats became more popular, the idea evolved, and he introduced the Swan boats into the lagoon.

They were paddle boats, adorned with white swans, and folks could board them and be paddled around the lagoon by the "driver" of the boat.  And it was his idea, to carry out the theme, to introduce the live swans to the lagoon.

 When Robert passed away, his wife Julia took over the business.  In 1914 Julia's youngest son John carried on the tradition for the Paget family.

As the popularity of the boats increased, larger boats were designed, with two, sometimes three, swans on each.




When John passed away in 1969 his son Paul took over.  The Swan tradition began over 120 years ago, and is carried on to this day by the Paget Family.  I don't believe there are any other boats like Boston's Swan boats anywhere in the country

I could have spent much more time in the park, there were many statues througout the park commemorating something or other.  But there was one statue that got everyone's attention.  MAKE WAY FOR THE DUCKLINGS.

There was a family of ducks living in the park, and one day Mom and the babies wandered out of the park into town.  Folks were in awe as how Mom herded her babies, across the street, through traffic (I believe it was the early 1940's) safely getting them back into the park.

A book was written titled MAKE WAY FOR THE DUCKLINGS, and after a time this statue was created, commemorating Mom and her babies.  Of all the statues in the park, I was told this was the most famous, and the favorite of old and young alike.  Kids love having their picture taken with the duck statue.

Enough for today.  I am going to share one last picture of the Swan boats with you.  If ever in Boston, be sure and make this a stop, sit down, relax, and take a ride on the Swan Boats.

The sun is shining!!!  Starting out to be a beautiful day.  Maybe, just maybe, I can get some mowing done.

Have a good Saturday and God Bless.

BOSTON - DAY 2 - PART TWO..........................

After hopping back on to the trolley, I visited stops 3 and 5.  I skipped stop 4, as the afternoon was progressing, there was nothing there I had seen on the first circle that I particularly want to take the time to see.  More important things, for me at least.

I went to the Charlestown Naval Yard, where the USS Constitution is docked.
To access the area where the ship was you had to go through security - just like the airport, but you didn't have to take off your shoes.  I thought "not again!"

So through security I went.  No problem, just a nuisance.

While viewing the Constitution I also learned quite a bit about her, little bits of information that I did not know.  I am going to share this info with you, and I will also be adding several different pictures as we go along.

March 27 1793 President George Washington called for the construction of six frigates, to be built at shipyards along the eastern seaboard.  The 44 gun USS CONSTITUTION was built in Boston in the shipyard.  She was launched in 1797.

The ship was made entirely of wood, pine, oak, and live oak.  Her hull is 12" thick.  During her heyday she carried a crew of 450 sailors.  She was a thing of beauty to behold.

The Constitution is the OLDEST COMMISSIONED SHIP afloat in the world.

The above pictures shows one of her 44 guns.

During the battle of 1812, when the British canon balls bounced off her sides she was nicknamed OLD IRONSIDES, that name still holds true today.

In 1830 as newer, better, faster frigates came along she was headed for scrap.
The fact that Oliver Wendall Holmes had written a famous poem about her, the public set up a cry to save the Constitution.  She is now one of the historical parts of history, and is protected to this day.

Today she carries an active crew of 55 duty sailors of the U S Navy caring for her, giving tours, history, and stories.

On July 21 1997, to mark her 200th birthday, she set sail for the first time in 116 years, sails blowing in the breeze as she skimmed along over the water.

The above picture was taken the next day when doing the harbor cruise, as seen from the water.  The picture below was taken the day I did the tour, just something that caught my eye.

Time to hop aboard another trolley and proceed.  The next thing I photographed was the Old State House.  The Boston Massacre too place here.  The declaration of Independence was read for the FIRST time from the balcony. 

There was so much to take in, so much history, not enough time.  But I learned so many things that I had never known before, things that are not normally taught in school.

The golden lion (left) and unicorn (right) are the symbols of royal authority.  These symbols were placed by the British, as this was their official state house.  After the revolution ended, the new Americans removed these symbols, as they did not want to be reminded of the British tyranny.

Several years later, the symbols were replaced, to preserve a part of our history.

Well, this is just another part of day 2.  I will continue this narrative tomorrow, hopefully.  That is the plan.  We'll see what happens.

Still trying to get my yard mowed.  If it ever quits raining.  So far behind in yard work, might as well just wait until next year now.

Refrigerator still not working.  Still getting the run-around from Sears.  Had repairman here to do repairs, repairs did NOT work.  Have reported Sears to the Better Business Bureau.  Sears is still scheduling apts., then cancelling, or not showing up.

Back to happier things.  I hope you are enjoying your history lessons.  Have a good day and God Bless.

BOSTON - DAY 2 - PART ONE............................

Left my hotel early Thursday morning to Cambridge - I DID NOT WANT to drive into downtown Boston, and through my research discovered that Cambridge had Trolley stop #13 out of 15, which was at the Cambridge Marriott Hotel, with a parking garage 1 block away.  Got it made.  Until I got to the parking garage.  $24.00 per day - yes per day, not weekly or monthly, but daily!  My first indication that this was not going to be an in-expensive trip.
Little did I know!!!!!!!

I had bought my 2 day trolley pass on line before departing home.  This pass also included the harbor cruise.  So I hopped on the trolley Thursday morning and rode the entire route through Boston and surrounding areas, which was about 1-1/2 hours.  Second and Third time around I hopped on and off.



Quincy Market Building



My first hop off was at Stop #1 - Boston Harbor.  I visited Quincy Market,



Faneuil Hall



with all types of outdoor and indoor vendors, you name it, they had it. 

By this time it was almost noon, and I had real Boston Clam Chowder.  I have found from visiting Maine, that New England Clam Chowder was the best, and what I had at Quincy Market lived up to all expectations  .Quincy Market Building was erected in 1822 when Boston was incorporated as a city.  A good chance to rest.  I also photographed Faneuil Hall while there.  Then it was on the next trolley to Stop #2, the historic North End of Boston, including their "Little Italy".  It was while I was there that I visited Paul Revere's house.

I did not have time to tour the inside of the house, but was able to photograph a poster outside showing some of the interior.  Of course, there was a charge for just about everything.  Par for the course.  This next picture is of the poster

The Paul Revere house was originally built by Robert Howard in 1676 following the great Boston fire that destroyed his original home.  Paul Revere purchased this house from Mr. Howard in 1770.

Did you know that Paul Revere actually had two additional men riding with him that historical night?  There were the three of them riding from Lexington-Concord to Boston to warn about the British soldiers.  The reason we only hear about Paul Revere is because of the famous poem about Paul Revere's Midnight Ride.

Enough for history and stories and pictures for now.  I will continue my Boston saga tomorrow, the Good Lord Willing.  Enjoy your history lessons and God Bless.

BOSTON - DAY ONE............................................

Day one was mostly travel - to the airport, landing in Boston, taking the Enterprise shuttle from the airport to their facility, getting my car, figuring out what all the buttons and whistles were about, hooking up my GPS - Yes I took my GPS with me.  Good thing I did.  Without it I wouldn't even have been able to get out of Enterprises parking lot!

I arrived early afternoon, traffic was heavy, really heavy, and it wasn't even rush hour yet.  I'm thinking - "what in the heck am I doing here.  I must be out of my cotton-pickin' mind".  Luckily my car had Florida license plates on it, so some, a very few some, drivers took mercy on me and let me merge, or change lanes, or whatever was thrown at me.

By the time I reached Bedford and my hotel, I was exhausted.  Literally.  But after an hour or so decided to do some exploring.  I had found info here at home on a grist mill somewhere in the area.  So off I went.

Luckily traffic at Bedford is not heavy, small town stuff, and with the mill's address plugged into my GPS, I was on my way.The travel time indicated on the GPS was 40 minutes, I think I arrived in 45.  Pretty good.  If the rest of the week goes this well, piece of cake.

This little mill was just a few miles beyond the Wayside Inn, which is a lovely old Inn and restaurant.

I was able to tour the mill, saw the grinding wheels that made grain into flour, etc.  There was also a display of freshly ground items you could purchase.

I probably took two dozen pictures of this little mill from different perspectives, and will, down the road, decide on one to be added to the business.

After I finished at the mill, I returned to my hotel, went out for supper, and then called it a day.  I wanted to be in Boston first thing in the morning to ride the Old Town Trolley, see what was what, and decide at which stops I would hop off the trolley. 

All in all it had been a long day, I was definitely ready to crash.  I remember turning on the tv to watch my normal Wednesday night shows, wakened up sometime during the night, turned off the tv, and that is the last I remember.

I'll share day 2 with you tomorrow, or at least a part of it.  One thing I know for sure, you couldn't pay me enough to live and drive in Boston, and I had several more days of it.  Pray for me and God Bless.

JERRY'S LAP - MY TRIP - AND THE WEATHER................

Got back yesterday from Boston.  Good trip, learned a lot, saw a lot, and really tired today.  Was tireder yesterday, but managed to stay up long enough to watch Dancing with the Stars - Got to watch Hines.  He should have gotten the extra 15 points!!!!!

In a few days will go into depth about my trip.  Grandson's graduation was a neat experience, first time for a college grad. 

Jerry's lap full.  Fridge still NOT working properly.  Part ordered, came while I was gone, tech SUPPOSED to be here Wed. to install said part.  Other parts will not be in for 6 weeks.  YIPPIE!!!

Guess we had a horrendous storm while I was gone, lightning hit one of the large trees behind the machine shop, the one we are putting the new roof on.  By we - I mean Jerry and his friends.  I guess it was very much a hair raising experience, as he was in the shop when it happened.

Got my pictures downloaded, but still have to edit.  So won't say much more today, but watch out down the road - you will have lots to read about and pictures to look at.  After the lightning strike the dogs in the house were trying to break through the window to get out, they were scared to death.  They don't like little noises, gigantic ones make them panic.  Luckily we have double strength glass in our windows.

Now that I have whet your appetite, I will leave you hanging until..........

Have a good week and God Bless.

WATCH OUT JERRY -- IT's IN YOUR LAP................

This is actually tomorrow's blog, but am doing it tonight, as I leave early tomorrow morning for the airport and Boston.

Yep!  You guessed it!  Sears called me this morning, cancelling the service call, as the "technician call off sick".

In the meantime last night I wrote a very long, very descriptive, e-mail to Sears customer service e-mail address.

Shortly after I got the cancellation call, called customer service, they could not reschedule before Friday!

Then I checked my e-mails - lo and behold Sears replied to my e-mail, apologizing for the "inconvenience"  ( being without a working refrigerator for two weeks is and "inconvenience?") and gave me ANOTHER customer service number.

Called that number, actually went to a real live person without having to push buttons.  After a long conversation, she scheduled the service call for tomorrow morning sometime between 8 a.m. and noon.  Dumped it in Jerry's lap.  Jerry not happy.  He will be home, but had other things that needed done, not babysitting the house for a supposed repair technician.

I am completely fed up with Sears customer service, which is SUPPOSED to be sooooooo goooood.

I'm glad I'm leaving in the morning.  It may not be pretty here. 

Looking forward to my time in Boston.  Will be off line until I return, which will be Monday, May 16th.  I'll catch you all up when I return, both about the trip and about the refrigerator. In the meantime - DON'T DEAL WITH SEARS.  THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE STINKS BIG TIME.

I hope you checked out Rebecca's blog.  She is featuring the cover she designed for the new book that is being released in either June or July.  I think she did an awesome job.  She is the one who owns her own publishing house, and she is also the one who designed the majority of the covers of the books she has published over the years.  You can catch her blog if you go to my facebook page.

Enjoy the rest of the week and God Bless.

THE BATTLE GOT NASTY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you read my blog yesterday, you ain't seen nuttin yet.

I spent all morning waiting for the phone call that the sears repairman is on his way to fix my refrigerator.  Lo and behold about noon the phone rings.  Thank goodness.

There is a recorded message stating:  "We do not have a technician available for this afternoon, we are rescheduling your appointment for Wednesday May 11".

I flip out.  I mean big time.

I call the customer service number, in my local phone book, the number I called to schedule said appointment, go through all the button pushing, finally got a real person.

This "real person" proceeded to tell me that I had NEVER scheduled an appointment for Monday May 9, the my appointment was for Wednesday May 11, which is the day I am leaving for Boston!!!!!

We went around and around.  When I asked if I had never scheduled the appointment, why did I get a phone call telling me the appointment had been changed.  I was disconnected!

Call again, went through same button pushing scenario, got real person, same conversation, same reply, just scheduled for Wednesday, disconnect.  By this time I am beyond upset, beyond mad, I was furious.  I have not had my refrigerator working properly since Easter Sunday - back in April!!!!!

Started calling repair services in our area to see if I could find any kind of repair service - another joke.  Either you had to buy the product from them, or they were too busy to take on another customer.

Went on line, decided to try refrigeration repairs in the Wheeling WV area instead of the Washington PA area.  I am 14 miles east of Wheeling, 14 miles west of Washington, right on the state line.

One of the services that popped up was SEARS  HOME SERVICES.  The customer service number on that web site was completely different from the one in our phone book.  I called, went through the same button pushing scenario, and when I finally got a real person, she was actually willing to help.

After giving all the necessary info - phone number, address, etc etc., she told me she had my records in front of her.  Yes, I had scheduled the appointment for Monday May 9.  Thank goodness!  I was starting to think that I really was crazy.  She also saw where I had been called cancelling said appointment and rescheduling it.

Anyway to make a long story a little less long, she called the dispatcher and was able to schedule my appointment for this afternoon, Tuesday.  Now the waiting game begins again. 

In addition she advised me that my warranty had just expired on the refrigerator, but I was eligible to renew it for another year, and the visit scheduled for today would be covered.  The other sears customer service number had told me I could renew the warranty, but it WOULD NOT cover the current visit, as it was prescheduled.

Anyhoo this really really nice young lady I was dealing with at the new number went all out to help me. 

She also mentioned that for customer service I should call - you guessed it - the number I had previously called umpteen dozen times.  I started laughing and told her that was who I had been dealing with.  She had to laugh also.  I  do know that I have this new number I found on line on speed dial for future reference.

Hopefully by the time I leave tomorrow morning my refrigerator will be working properly.  If not  - then the entire problem is dumped into son Jerry's lap.  He will love that.  Have a good day and God Bless.

WHY IS EVERYTHING A BATTLE??......................

Why is it that everything seems to turn into a battle, and you are always the loser?  Especially when it comes to appliances, service, warranties, etc.

Today, right at this moment I am not happy.  I wasn't going to blog today as I have a bejillion things to do before leaving for Boston on Wednesday to attend a grandson's college graduation on Saturday.  But right now I am sure that the smoke is just pouring out my ears - !!!

We bought a new refrigerator two years - that's right - ago.  It is practically brand new.  We have loved it, until now.  It is a double door refrigerator on top and freezer drawer on the bottom, with water dispenser in one of the refrigerator doors.  You know the kind.  There is so much room, and I do need room with all the family doings that happen here.

Easter Sunday, during our dinner, the water dispenser quit working.  So that evening after everything was back to normal, son Jerry read the manual, found nothing to explain the problem.  He went on line, did the unplug, wait 30 minutes, plug back in scenario - which was described on line, NOT in the manual.  On line also suggested we replace the filter inside the fridge.  We did both.

Now, not only is the water dispenser not working, the refrigerator itself is not working.  All the lights come on, the freezer part is staying at 0 degrees, but the refrigerator is not cooling.  The ice maker is making ice, the refrigerator is gradually warming up.  Good thing we have a back up refrigerator in the downstairs family room.

Called Sears repair.  The new refrigerator warranty had expired.  They would be happy to sell us a new one year warranty, or they could schedule an appointment to have the fridge looked at.  The service call and diagnosis would be x number of dollars.  Repairs would be additional.  But if I desired I could take out a new warranty for one year.  I SPECIFICALLY ASKED, since Jerry is the bill payer, could I make a decision on the warranty when he was available.  They said that would be fine.  In fact they told me that I could even wait until the service man ARRIVED to pay for a new warranty.  Sounded good.  So in the meantime I went ahead and placed a service call.

The first available service call would not be until today, May 9th.  The repairman is scheduled here between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.  There goes my entire day.

I called Sears this morning, requesting to pay for the 1 year warranty, but first I wanted to be sure that today's service call would be covered.  Put on hold.  Waited.  Waited.  Waited. 

Finally another real person came on the line and told me they would be more than happy to renew my warranty for another year.  I asked, just to make sure, if today's service call and repairs would be covered.

You guessed right.  The answer was NO!  Since the service order had been placed, the warranty would NOT cover today, or any repairs needed.  If I wanted I could cancel today's service call, take out the warranty, reschedule the service call, etc etc etc.............

We have not had the use of our refrigerator for a week now.  And they wanted me to wait another week or 10 days! 

I kept today's appointment, what else could I do.  Then called Jerry at work, told him the story, he said I did the right thing, but he wanted their telephone number.  I don't think I want to be the person he is going to be talking to.

Don't get me wrong.  Jerry is a very kind-hearted, easy-going type of person.  He is not a get mad, scream and holler, pound on the desk or throw the telephone type of person.  Just the opposite.  But he can get his point across without ever losing his cool.  I know the phone call won't change anything, but Sears will definitely know how he feels about their entire warranty policy and the way they do things.

So here I sit - can't even go outside and work on flower beds, or something, as the service man will call before arrival to get directions.  And he will need directions.  Tomorrow I have to run last minute errands and pack, to be ready to leave for the airport Wednesday morning. 

Hopefully the refrigerator will be working.  But I am not holding my breath.
The way this scenario has started out, I will probably need some major repair parts, which will have to be ordered, then another service call will have to be scheduled, days down the road.  Maybe I'll have a refrigerator  in June when  Linda and Dave come home from Arizona for their annual summer visit.

Keep your fingers crossed for me and God Bless.

HAPPY MOTHER's DAY.............................................

Happy Mother's Day everyone.

I was not supposed to have electric today.  There was a major over-haul planned, and our whole area was advised that the power would be off all day today.  Because it was Mother's day, all the dinners scheduled were cancelled
along with church services, and everything else. 

I guess after a bejillion complaints the powers that be decided to postpone the over-haul until a later date.  The thing is, they failed to let the public know until it was too late to reschedule all of the celebrations and dinners.  Church, yes, but too late for everything else.

I can't help but wonder about the powers that be, why would you schedule a major power outage on a, sort of, holiday?  Doesn't anyone out there who is supposedly in charge look at the calendar?  Don't they realize what goes on in the real world?  Are they so involved in their world that nothing else matters?

So we have power today.  The outage will be rescheduled.  I wonder if they will make it Father's Day, maybe Memorial Day, or the 4th of July.  That would be par for the course.

One good thing I want to share, my friend Betty, living in Ohio, sent me a link to a neat video.  There is a web cam posted near a Bald Eagle nest.  By clicking on this link you can watch, in real time, the hatching of the eggs, and the baby eagles.  As this is in real time, what you are watching is happening now. 

The link is http://www.coolestone.com/media/1918/EagleCam/

I think you will enjoy this.  My thanks to Betty for sharing with me.

Have a happy Mother's Day and God Bless.

FRIENDSHIPS - THOSE SPECIAL PEOPLE.......................

I am sure you all have a lot of friends. Every so often, though, there is that special friendship, that lasts forever, when everything is against being able to prolong that friendship.

I have friends that fall into that category.  They live in Pierpont Ohio.  Months, sometimes years go by without seeing each other, or even keeping in touch except with an occasional card.

I am going to share my story about this couple and their family.

When I was a young teenager my aunt and uncle in Cleveland bought a small piece of ground in rural (very rural, just a dot on the map) Ashtabula County Ohio, where they retired.

Sister Ruth and I would spend much of the summer on their"farm" or farmette, Aunt Pat taking us to the fair, "letting" us help in the garden, and just enjoying life.

Their nearest neighbors had a teen-age boy, one year older than me.  He had a steady girlfriend, one year younger and me.  Dave, Rogene, sister Ruth and I became close friends.  They had horses, we got to go horseback riding - how we loved that.  Ruth and I spent three summers in Pierpont, doing things with Dave and Rogene, and their respective parents.

Dave graduated high school.  The following year I graduated, the next year Rogene graduated.  That August Dave and Rogene got married.  I was working and could not go to the wedding.  However, they were on a tight budget, so spent their "honeymoon" visiting friends and family.  They spent a couple of days with my sisters and me and my Mom and Dad.

Life moved on.  I married.  They and  I started our families.  I had 3, they had 4.  We continued visiting, one year they would come spend a few days with us in West Alexander, the next year we would go to Pierpont.  My kids grew up and married, their kids grew up and married.  But we stayed in touch, mostly with graduation, wedding, and birth announcements. 

Whenever we did have the chance to get together, it seemed the conversation just picked up where it had left off the last time we were together.  There was never that "awkward" moment when getting back together that we didn't know what to say to each other.  We always did, and still do.  Their son Danny and my son Michael, have also stayed in touch, same scenario, visit when possible. 

There were a few years when we were not able to spend time together, circumstances got in the way.  When Tom and I married, we were again able to spend time together, Dave and Tom loved talking farming.

Then Tom passed on.  Dave was diagnosed with cancer.  All back and forth visiting came to a screeching halt.  Dave is currently in remission.

About the time both Rogene and I turned into our early 40's, we both started our own business, unbeknown to each other.  Mine was photography and writing.  Her's was opening a restaurant.

By this time her son Dan had completed college, and owned the only grocery store in town.  He also started buying up abandoned property, and the following picture is of one of the historical buildings in town.  Rogene has turned this building into a small restaurant, catering to the locals, and amazingly enough to tourists passing by.  She has a basic country-type food menu, no prices.  Her restaurant is donation only.  She and her family have done a lot of work on the interior of the building, preserving as much of the original architecture as possible.

You can reserve the restaurant for bible study, graduation parties, business meetings, whatever.  It is a fun place visit.  I always look forward to the meals when I get there, as I know it will be something good.  Home made bread for one.  She has granddaughters that help in the restaurant in their free time, but she is still head honcho, keeping everything running smoothly.

Her business is like mine - there is no way you can make a living, but it is a fun job that brings in the extra income, which helps to make life on a fixed income a little more enjoyable.


Rogene in the entryway from facebook today

As I mentioned, ours has been a long-distance friendship for over 50 years, and will continue until we are gone.  How much richer my life has been, just knowing these folks, being friends, and how we would never have known each other except for the fact my aunt and uncle decided to move to Pierpont.



Rogene (center) with 4 customers when I was there last summer.

These 4 people were just passing by, enjoyed themselves so much that they requested I take a picture of them with the "owner" of such a great place.  I did so with their camera, then also took a picture for me.

Was my aunt and uncle moving to Pierpont just chance, or was it part of a bigger plan?  I like to think it is the second, things don't usually happen by chance, there is a reason.


Rogene and me, together, on my visit last summer.

It just goes to show, when you look back you can see how blessed you have been.  Since Dave has been ill, they are not able to co much in the travel line, so I have been trying to visit once a year.  Hopefully this summer I will make it up there again.  Dan and his wife Linda always make a point of getting together with me.  Also their second son Lee.  Daughter Marilyn lives close, and if they are home, I also get to visit them.

The only daughter, Jeannie, I don't get to see as they live in another state.  And it was daughter Jeannie, that when she married I was her "wedding photographer".  How much fun was that?

As you can see, it is a long-term friendship, all odds against our remaining friends, distance, health, work, but we have managed, and life is so much fuller.

Treasure your family and friends, for you never know when........and God Bless.

YESTERDAY MY PLAN WAS..................................................

I finished my everyday, normal morning routine.  Wednesday I planted 160 impatiens plants .  Yesterday I waited for the morning dew to burn off, and while waiting I worked some more on the flower beds that have not been prepped yet.

That was the plan.  Also when the grass dried off I wanted to start mowing.  I probably won't get all the yard done (5-6 hours), but will at least get the back done.  I mow all the way up to the cornfield.

I will probably have to call Tim and tell him to come bale the yard, that is how high and out of control the grass is at the present time.  Looks like mown hay when I finished.  But I do so love the smell of fresh cut grass, or fresh mown hay.  There is nothing quite like it.

Guess what - all went according to plan.  It was a beautiful blue sky white cloud day, chilly enough to wear a sweat-shirt, comfortable for working out. 

I now know why they call it working out.  You really get a work-out when you are working out.  Figure that one out.

The grass was taller than I had anticipated.  Took me 4 hours just to mow the back yard - there were times the grass was so thick that I had to go over the same area twice, to make sure there were not stray clumps sticking up.  It desperately needed raking, we have a pull behind the tractor rake and catch basket, but I did not have the time, nor the energy, to tackle that job.  That is normally Jerry's job anyway - I will mow, he can rake.  

This morning I have some more flower prep to do.  Then if it isn't raining I will mow the front yard this afternoon.  Can't mow in the morning this time of year as the grass never drys off enough to mow until about noon.

Yesterday's plan went quite well.  But ...... there was a surprise that was definitely not in the plan.

About mid-afternoon, while going up and down and around and around mowing the yard, I saw a vehicle coming up my driveway.  Now where we live it is 3/4 of a mile from the main road to my house, all up hill, a dead end road.  So you don't just get the occasional stranger at my house.  Every time someone new comes, they always tell me, "I had a really hard time finding you".

Anyhoo this brown panel truck is coming my way.  I shut down the mowing blade and rode the tractor over to the driveway.  The logo on the side of the truck read WASHINGTON SQUARE FLORISTS.  Florists?  Flowers?  Light bulb - Mother's Day.

The gentleman delivering the flowers couldn't get over the view.  No one can.
And then he presented me with one of the BIGGEST and most BEAUTIFUL bouquet of flowers in a glass vase I have ever seen. 

The flowers were from son Michael and daughter-in-law Tammy.  Aren't they gorgeous.  Don't worry about the critter in front of the vase, that is dog Sam's contribution.  This critter is one of the many that Sam and Coco have laying around the house.  They are worse than kids, as fast as we gather up the toys and put them in the dog's toy basket, they are back on the floor again.  One of the dogs always brings a toy to you when you come home, or they want something.

Needless to say I finished my mowing with a big smile on my face.

I wonder what today will bring?  Enjoy your day and God Bless.

THE CYCLE OF LIFE - or - AM I REALLY THAT OLD......

A week ago I was in Arizona, my third Arizona great-granddaughter was born while I was there.  A new life, a new beginning.

Next week I will be in Boston to witness the college graduation of my grand-son Kurtis.  He is very tall, has played basketball his entire life, and has studied Sports Management.  He would like to be a basketball coach or manager.  A child grown-up, ready to begin his adult life.

Today I visited the local funeral home to pay my respects.  The Mother of a friend of my sons Mike and Jerry has passed on.  Sally went to school with  these  two sons, even dated Mike for a short time before they all moved on with their lives. 

My children are at that stage of their lives where the parents of their friends are beginning to pass on.  The becoming an adult is moving on to middle age.

And then there is me.  Most of my visits to the funeral home is for the passing of friends.  Sometimes I wonder why I am still here.  Maybe it is because I keep telling myself I am not getting older, just getting.  Getting stiff, getting cricky, aches and pains, hair turning gray, face getting wrinkled, all the great stuff that the golden years are made of.

Hence this is the cycle of life, - birth - becoming a young adult - then a middle-aged adult - and finally the "older generation".

The years go by so fast, it makes your head spin. 


I can't claim this picture of the special moon

 I sometimes wonder if the moon isn't, possibly a slight detour, on our way to the new adventure, where we can stop and pause for a moment, saying goodbye to the old life, and looking forward to the new life.

This picture of the moon I took in March of this year, when the moon was it's closest to the earth in quite a number of years.  The reason I wondered about it being a side trip, look closely, the moon is in the center of the cross.

I don't know what your thoughts are, but I kind of like to think the moon is there for another reason than just circling the earth.

Whatever, the cycle of life continues.  Enjoy whatever cycle you are in and God Bless.

WHY IS IT......................................................................

Why is it - when you are retired and have lots of time on your hands, you become so busy you wonder how you had time to go to work?

Why is it - when you are retired and on a fixed income, you have a budget, but there is always an emergency that wipes out the budget?

Why is it - when you get up in the morning you know exactly what you are going to do and it is the only thing that doesn't get done?

Why is it when you plan a cook-out, it either rains, blows, gets cold, or all three?

Why is it when you run a quick errand, you get a flat tire?

Why is it when you go to make a phone call and the phone is dead?

Why is it when you have something important to do, the power goes off, and you can't open your garage door (electric door opener)?

Why is it when there is something really special you have planned on doing, and you get sick?

And lastly - Why is it when this coming Sunday is Mother's day, there are special church services planned, Mother's Day dinners planned, family get-to-gathers planned, that the electric company is shutting off the electric to our entire (and I do mean ENTIRE) area for the entire day?

If you have an answer to any or all these questions, please share.

West Alexander, Claysville, and all the surrounding townships, have been notified that on Sunday morning 8 a.m. power will be shut down for the entire day - major overhauling to be done.

All church services in the area have been cancelled.  The American Legions in the area have cancelled their Mother's Day Dinners.  Unless you move your car outside the night before, you can't even go to a friends house, or a restaurant for your dinner.

Our pastor, this past Sunday, had a long list of things to do that he shared with us before services began. 

If you have cordless phones make sure you have at least one land-line or a fully charged cell phone.

Unplug all major appliances and electronic equipment so there will be no damage if there is a power surge.  (One member of my church asked "What if I WANT a new TV?)  Answer "Leave your old one plugged in and see what happens".

If there is anyone you know that is not in Church today, please call them to let them know that Church is cancelled on Mother's Day.

Be sure you have a vehicle outside, not in a garage with electric door opener.

If you have electrical medical equipment - oxygen, etc., be sure you are prepared.

And the list went on and on.

Now, back to the real world of WHY IS ITS.

Why is it, that the minute you sit down, the dogs want out?  Not need out, want out, but you don't know for sure if it is want or need.

Why is it when you have a house full of folks, the water dispenser on the refrigerator quits working?

Why is it when you have a sunny day instead of rain and want to mow the tractor has a flat tire?  The tractor and the car must have had a conference.

Why is it when you are completely engrossed in your favorite TV show, that is when the phone rings the most?  It was quiet all day.

Why is it when you go to bed at night your feel great, tired but great, and get up in the morning feeling lousy?

Why is it the minute you forget to save what you are working on, on the computer, the electric blinks and you lose it all?

Why is it that we have so many "Why Is It's"

Now that I have blown your mind, try to have a day minus the Why Is It's and God Bless.

OUR HILLTOP and THE WEATHER...............

As you know, we live on top of the hill.  From the main road running through our valley you can see our house, on top of the hill, in the winter when the leaves are off the trees.  Now that the leaves are coming out again, you can no longer see our house, and for folks not knowing we live up here, they don't have a clue.

In the summer the valley can run approximately 5 - 6 degrees warmer than our hill top.  In the winter 6 - 10 degrees colder than our hilltop.  There can be frost in the valley, none up here.  In dry weather the small creek that wanders through the valley can dry up.  Our spring (which is our water supply) has never slowed down.

In the valley they get strong winds.  Our hill top gets stronger, much stronger, winds.  We have had to chase patio furniture, pick up many many tree branches that have broken off the trees, but no leaf raking.  At our prior home we had maple trees, and I spent days and days raking leaves.  On our hill top, no raking, the wind blows them all away. 

Of course we have no trees close to the house - Jerry doesn't want the view blocked, and I don't blame him.  We are surrounded by trees, though,  but no leaves to rake.


left to right, small barn, machine shed, house

In addition to our house we have two other buildings on our hill top.  The largest is the machine shed, which contains all the necessities for the yard and garden, mowers hoes, rakes, shovels, etc. etc.

One end of this building has been partitioned off and turned into Jerry's workshop, which is actually his hunting buddies home away from home.  It has been outfitted, in addition to Jerry's workbenches and tools, with refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, bottled water, heater for cold weather, chairs, tables, etc.  This is where they lounge when they come to the farm to hunt - rabbit season, deer season, turkey season, whatever season.  They bring crock pots of hot food to keep warm, and other stuff.  That is where they "picnic" when hunting.  Talk about being spoiled!!!!!

The second smaller building was where the previous owners stored their hay for their horses, also had a couple of horse stalls.  This building is now used primarily in hunting season, and where the outside cats live - we keep a lot of straw in there for them to bed down in.  Keeps them cozy warm in the winter.

Why, do you wonder, am I telling you all this? 


front of house with the deck

It is because of WHERE WE ARE LOCATED.  We have had so much nasty weather the last few years, not just in our area but throughout the entire country.  There has been so much damage from wind, tornadoes, floods, hail, torrential rains all around us.  We have had storms, but have been spared the nasty stuff, just have to chase furniture and pick up branches.


yard and corn field from the patio

There seems to be a natural funnel that encompasses us.  As the storms are heading east, from the midwest, about the time they reach Zanesville, Ohio, they hit this funnel.  The storms break and move north and south, by-passing the Wheeling WV area, and our part of Washington County Pa., coming back together as they pass by the City of Washington.  There has been major damage all around us, east, west, north and south, but to date we have been spared.


as seen from or patio

We have been up here for 6 years.  We have heavy duty lightning rods on the house as we have some spectacular lightning displays, but so far have been safe.  We have had winds that we thought would blow us away, but so far we have been safe.  When the rains stop and everything drys up we still have water.  When the valley is flooded, we are dry.


fall, fog, deer, from our patio

No matter the time of year, we have a view.  We get hard rains, heavy snow-falls, drought, but through it all we have a good home in a beautiful location.
What more could anyone ask for?  We are truly blessed.


view from the deck



sunset from the patio

Enjoy the spring weather, as summer is not too far behind, and God Bless.

ONCE AGAIN THE "PLAN" IS BLOWN OUT OF THE WATER.....

I had, in my mind, what today's blog was going to be.  Even had the pictures ready to add to said blog.  Then about 10:45 p.m. last night everything changed.

I know everything changed, not just for me, but for America as a whole.  Finally, finally, the head honcho who was responsible for nine eleven had been tracked down and done away with.

I can remember, so very clearly, the tears the day I watched the live destruction of the twin towers, the pentagon, and the plane crash, not too awfully far from where I live, in Shanksville Pa.

I can remember the awful hollowness inside of me, realizing that we, as everyone else in the world, are vulnerable.  We can, and had been attacked.

The years have passed, it will be 10 years on September 11 2011.  The search has continued, we would hear some reports off and on, but life went on, other things took over the news, both good and bad, we all moved on with our lives, looking ahead, as the past was past.

I was watching CSI MIAMI, one of my favorite shows.  When the first ticker tape came across the screen indicating that President Obama would be speaking shortly, all I could think of was "why does this have to happen now, I won't get to see the end of my show!"

With 10 minutes to go, the entire scene changed, the newscasters appeared, and it was "the heck with the show, I'll catch it in re-runs". 

This morning the entire country is celebrating this victory.  I know we grumble, complain, tear the government apart at the seams, but we must remember - this is still the greatest country in the world in which to live, and we complain constantly about all the illegal immigrants, but to them they are looking for a better life in the greatest country in the world.  There should be some way we can alleviate the "illegal" part of the immigration.  After all, we are all immigrants, unless we are related to the native American Indians.

I agree wholeheartedly that we should not have to pay billions to support illegals, I do not know what the answer is.  That is up to the people who are a whole lot smarter than I am.

I just know I am, like everyone else in the country, relieved that one of the worst terrorists since Adolph Hitler has been eliminated.  Yes, I remember him.  God Bless America.

IT's A DAMP SUNDAY MORNING...............................

Damp this morning.  Rain predicted off and on all day.  Can't complain as yesterday was a picture-perfect day.  I spent most of it outside, taking care of my flower beds.  I only have 3 smaller ones to do, and will be ready to order my mulch.  That probably won't happen until I return from Boston.

Going to finish today's blog, get a few things done around the house, then off to Church.  I have missed the last 3 Sundays, and somehow my week doesn't seem to run as smoothly when I have missed Church as it does when I have attended.

Three weeks ago I was at the South Hills Art Show.  Two weeks ago I was in Arizona, but have to rearrange what I said above.  Linda and I did attend Church with Mark and Rachel, who had been invited to attend a Baptist Church that a friend of Rachel's belongs to.  They were celebrating Palm Sunday with the ringing of the bells, we thoroughly enjoyed the service, and to say the least it was quite different from my traditional country Methodist Church service. 

Last week, Easter Sunday, I had planned on attending early church so I could be home do last minute preps for Easter Dinner later in the day.  At the last moment I was informed that early church had been cancelled because of sunrise service, and breakfast following.  First Easter I have missed in years.

Starting the first weekend in June is my busy time of year, going through early November.  I have 11 weekends of festivals scheduled, and as they are usually Friday-Saturday-Sunday, I cannot attend Church. 

I do have a tendency to feel guilty, I grew up going to Church weather I wanted to or not, It is a big part of my life. 

By the same token, though, I also believe that I am forgiven, for if it was not in the bigger picture of my life to be successful in what I am doing, I would not still be in business almost 35 years later, still doing what I love to do. 

I also know this season of my life is winding down, I am just taking it one year at a time now, hoping for several more festival years, only time will tell.  This year is booked, in December applications will start arriving for 2012.

By then I should have the feel as to whether I should apply or not.  I will know when the time comes what I should do. 

There you can see where "planning" comes into play.  I am planning next year already.  I don't even know if there will be a "next year", but if there is, I am planning.   Maybe someone else has other plans for me. 

In the meantime though, I am enjoying my life, taking advantage of every day in some shape or form, and always looking forward.  The past is past.  No sense dwelling in what if's, what should's, what might have been's, so look forward.  I might be surprised at what lays ahead.

Everyone out there enjoy your day and God Bless.