I am moving my blog over to Wordpress. This will be the last post here on Blogger. The name of the blog remains the same, but I am more familiar with customizing WP.
So come on over and check out the new digs: gpbarthblog.wordpress.com See ya there!
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
A Little Taste of What's Coming!
By my own admission, I am a nerd. A geek. Jen calls me Inspector Gadget, because I like anything "tekkie", anything one would consider a gadget. Back in Florida, I had a very nice little weather station which gave me wind speed and direction, barometric pressure, rainfall, and forecast data. I could predict the weather better than the TV weatherman. Gotta love it!
Well, I left it behind when we moved, and I kinda miss it here in PA. So when we had to replace our old bedroom alarm clock, I did the only natural thing I could do...I bought a very nice clock with dual alarms, an indoor/outdoor thermometer, and a projector that shows the time/temp on my bedroom ceiling! Told ya, I love gadgets! Now I can wake up in the middle of the night, look right up at the ceiling, and tell what time it is, and what the temperature is outside our bedroom window.
Which is what I did this morning when Sasha decided that it was time to do her business, around 7:30 AM. I opened my eyes, and glanced at the digital read-out above my pillow. Uh, is that right? It says 34ºF! I vaguely remember it being around 45º when we went to bed. But 34º? Okay, let's do the math here - 7:30 AM + 34ºF + dog needs to go outside + Gary dressed in flannel bottoms = Are you out of your flippin' MIND???
I have to get the cobwebs out of the skull here. Where are my flannel cargo pants? Where is my heavy sweat-shirt with the hoodie? Where are my slippers? Where is the dog? 34º!!! I'm busy getting everything together and Sasha is waiting at the bedroom door, her little doggie legs crossed, and in her mind I can imagine the plea: "Would you please get your act together before I leave you a substantial present on the carpet?" I am hurrying, Sasha. But it's dark in here, and I don't want to turn on the lights and wake Momma.
I finally manage to get dressed in what I think will be sufficient enough clothing to get the job done quickly and get back to bed. I open the bedroom door, and Sasha is out and half-way down the stairs before I can think. I guess she really has to go! Well, so do I, and so I make a stop in our bathroom for some quick relief myself, and then down the stairs I go. Sasha is standing there looking up at me as if to say, "Would you please...?" Well, we're almost there. I go to the front door and grab her leash, and a poopie bag. I hook her up, and we head to the back door. This will not be a full-fledged walk...it will be a quick foray into the back yard to relieve the poor pup, and then right back inside.
I pull the hoodie over my head, and tighten the strings. And I open the door leading from the kitchen to our laundry room. The arctic blast hits me in the face, and we aren't even outside yet! It's like a freezer in here, and the last thing I want to do is open the door and go...OUTSIDE!! But I have to man-up and do this, and I take a deep breath, unlock the deadbolt, and open the door.
Thank goodness that there is no breeze blowing, because it is cold out here! My face and hands are bare, and the cold makes itself known immediately! And evidently, Sasha feels it, too! She usually takes her time, sniffing here and there, smelling the rabbits and the chipmunks, but not this morning! She hesitates to leave the rear deck, then hurries down the stairs, right into the grass and squats. This ain't gonna take long at all! A few more steps, a little pee, and then Sasha wants nothing more than to get her furry butt back inside. She drags me back up the stairs, through the door, and into the kitchen.
Now, usually at this stage of the action, she will whine and moan until I give her a doggie snack, but not today. She's ready to go back upstairs to our nice warm bedroom. But while outside, I noticed that the garbage truck has come by, and now I have to go back outside and retrieve our garbage can. Oh, great! So off I go again, down to the back curb, where I fetch the cans (I usually bring our neighbor's can back, too) and hurry back inside. Our can has frost all over the lid, and the grass I have to walk on is also stiff and frozen! Did I say it was COLD outside?
Now Sasha is waiting for me to let her out of the kitchen, and when I do, she heads right up the stairs. She is almost 14 years old and usually takes her time going up, but this morning she's like a puppy. By the time I get upstairs, she's waiting at the bedroom door - "Will you please let me get back into my bed??" Well, Sasha, you and I want the same thing, so chill out - oops! Wrong choice of words! Sasha doesn't need any encouragement - she's all curled up and half asleep before I can get back to bed myself.
Now, this is the first real cold spell I have experienced since we moved. By all local figures, this ain't really cold at all! And to be honest, it got this cold a few times in Florida. But this is a precursor - Jen (half) jokingly tells me, "See the "34º" on the clock, honey? Well, wait till you wake up one morning, and the "3" isn't there!" It does get down to single digits up here occasionally, and even if it doesn't, I know I will see temps in the teens before winter is gone. I'm not even going to imagine sub-zero figures! And this morning is just a small taste of what will come, and I am cold! So cold that I am pondering how to erect a small fence around our back yard, so that I can let the dogs out while staying inside myself. Yes, I can be a heartless SOB! And the colder it gets...
Well, I left it behind when we moved, and I kinda miss it here in PA. So when we had to replace our old bedroom alarm clock, I did the only natural thing I could do...I bought a very nice clock with dual alarms, an indoor/outdoor thermometer, and a projector that shows the time/temp on my bedroom ceiling! Told ya, I love gadgets! Now I can wake up in the middle of the night, look right up at the ceiling, and tell what time it is, and what the temperature is outside our bedroom window.
Which is what I did this morning when Sasha decided that it was time to do her business, around 7:30 AM. I opened my eyes, and glanced at the digital read-out above my pillow. Uh, is that right? It says 34ºF! I vaguely remember it being around 45º when we went to bed. But 34º? Okay, let's do the math here - 7:30 AM + 34ºF + dog needs to go outside + Gary dressed in flannel bottoms = Are you out of your flippin' MIND???
I have to get the cobwebs out of the skull here. Where are my flannel cargo pants? Where is my heavy sweat-shirt with the hoodie? Where are my slippers? Where is the dog? 34º!!! I'm busy getting everything together and Sasha is waiting at the bedroom door, her little doggie legs crossed, and in her mind I can imagine the plea: "Would you please get your act together before I leave you a substantial present on the carpet?" I am hurrying, Sasha. But it's dark in here, and I don't want to turn on the lights and wake Momma.
I finally manage to get dressed in what I think will be sufficient enough clothing to get the job done quickly and get back to bed. I open the bedroom door, and Sasha is out and half-way down the stairs before I can think. I guess she really has to go! Well, so do I, and so I make a stop in our bathroom for some quick relief myself, and then down the stairs I go. Sasha is standing there looking up at me as if to say, "Would you please...?" Well, we're almost there. I go to the front door and grab her leash, and a poopie bag. I hook her up, and we head to the back door. This will not be a full-fledged walk...it will be a quick foray into the back yard to relieve the poor pup, and then right back inside.
I pull the hoodie over my head, and tighten the strings. And I open the door leading from the kitchen to our laundry room. The arctic blast hits me in the face, and we aren't even outside yet! It's like a freezer in here, and the last thing I want to do is open the door and go...OUTSIDE!! But I have to man-up and do this, and I take a deep breath, unlock the deadbolt, and open the door.
Thank goodness that there is no breeze blowing, because it is cold out here! My face and hands are bare, and the cold makes itself known immediately! And evidently, Sasha feels it, too! She usually takes her time, sniffing here and there, smelling the rabbits and the chipmunks, but not this morning! She hesitates to leave the rear deck, then hurries down the stairs, right into the grass and squats. This ain't gonna take long at all! A few more steps, a little pee, and then Sasha wants nothing more than to get her furry butt back inside. She drags me back up the stairs, through the door, and into the kitchen.
Now, usually at this stage of the action, she will whine and moan until I give her a doggie snack, but not today. She's ready to go back upstairs to our nice warm bedroom. But while outside, I noticed that the garbage truck has come by, and now I have to go back outside and retrieve our garbage can. Oh, great! So off I go again, down to the back curb, where I fetch the cans (I usually bring our neighbor's can back, too) and hurry back inside. Our can has frost all over the lid, and the grass I have to walk on is also stiff and frozen! Did I say it was COLD outside?
Now Sasha is waiting for me to let her out of the kitchen, and when I do, she heads right up the stairs. She is almost 14 years old and usually takes her time going up, but this morning she's like a puppy. By the time I get upstairs, she's waiting at the bedroom door - "Will you please let me get back into my bed??" Well, Sasha, you and I want the same thing, so chill out - oops! Wrong choice of words! Sasha doesn't need any encouragement - she's all curled up and half asleep before I can get back to bed myself.
Now, this is the first real cold spell I have experienced since we moved. By all local figures, this ain't really cold at all! And to be honest, it got this cold a few times in Florida. But this is a precursor - Jen (half) jokingly tells me, "See the "34º" on the clock, honey? Well, wait till you wake up one morning, and the "3" isn't there!" It does get down to single digits up here occasionally, and even if it doesn't, I know I will see temps in the teens before winter is gone. I'm not even going to imagine sub-zero figures! And this morning is just a small taste of what will come, and I am cold! So cold that I am pondering how to erect a small fence around our back yard, so that I can let the dogs out while staying inside myself. Yes, I can be a heartless SOB! And the colder it gets...
Saturday, October 19, 2013
What's Wrong with That Boy?
Fall is here in resplendent colors and cooler temperatures. The mountain behind my house, Blue Mountain, is full of those oranges, reds, browns and yellows. It is everything I was told it would be, and more! And now I'm watching the weather on a daily basis to see when the temps are going to get even colder, and even asking everyone when it might snow for the first time.
And you wouldn't believe the stares and astonishment I receive from most of those I talk to. "You actually want it to get colder?" Or, "Are you crazy? You really wnat it to snow?" And, "You'll be sorry about ever asking those questions when winter does get here!" So, in the interest of setting the record straight, let me try to explain:
I was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1946. And I lived there for nearly all of my life (aside from a few months collectively in Colorado and New York). That is 66 years of sunshine, my friends! I actually watched it snow one January in downtown Ft. Lauderdale - a few flakes that melted almost as soon as they touched anything, but snow nonetheless. Oh, I've been in Greeley, Colorado in the winter, for a little over a month, and I saw some snow out there. I also saw some snow in NYC the two months I worked up there.
But the reality of the situation is that I have never lived in a northern climate. Visited, yes. Lived, no. And so, here I am, in Palmerton, PA. Snuggled against the mountains, with a ski resort a few miles away. There are signs telling me that I cannot park on my side of the street on every 2nd Thursday of the month, so that the snow plow can come and clear my street. And here it is, the middle of October, and lows for the next two weeks are in the mid- to low 30's.
I digress - I am positioning myself as a nut-job here because I am actually looking forward to this winter. I want to know what it's like when the temperature outside drops down to 10ºF! I want to know what it's like to sit in my living room and watch the snow fall outside. I want to know what Blue Mountain looks like with a white blanket. And I am hoping, supposedly against hope, that we will have a white Christmas this year. I'm told that it rarely happens here.
Yes, I'm from Florida, and yes, I want to experience a real winter! And yes, there is a good chance that, come spring, I will rue the day I ever asked for winter. When the ice on the sidewalk takes me down, I may curse winter. When I cannot get dressed warm enough, I may hate winter. When the snow turns to slush and the salt on the streets turns to black mud, and I have to drive through it all, I may despise winter.
But, you know, I have never had any of these experiences, so I will just have to go through this first winter in Pennsylvania and find out for myself. I will definitely do a reprise of this post in April or May, and maybe then my tone will change. But I have one thing to say about winter - I have spent the last 66 years in Florida, and I have personally been through a whole lot of hurricanes. Wiki Andrew if you want to see the last real nasty blow I was in. Charlie and Francis messed with my daughter's Florida wedding, and destroyed Captiva Island. So, Pennsylvania, bring it on! Give me your best shot! Let winter begin. I've got my heavy jacket, I've got my thermal underwear, I've got gloves. I've got my stocking cap.
And lastly, I've got retirement - my secret weapon. If winter gets too harsh, I have an answer: I'm just not going outside! We'll stock up the pantry, and make sure the broadband connection is working, and I'll just stay put until March!
And you wouldn't believe the stares and astonishment I receive from most of those I talk to. "You actually want it to get colder?" Or, "Are you crazy? You really wnat it to snow?" And, "You'll be sorry about ever asking those questions when winter does get here!" So, in the interest of setting the record straight, let me try to explain:
I was born in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida in 1946. And I lived there for nearly all of my life (aside from a few months collectively in Colorado and New York). That is 66 years of sunshine, my friends! I actually watched it snow one January in downtown Ft. Lauderdale - a few flakes that melted almost as soon as they touched anything, but snow nonetheless. Oh, I've been in Greeley, Colorado in the winter, for a little over a month, and I saw some snow out there. I also saw some snow in NYC the two months I worked up there.
But the reality of the situation is that I have never lived in a northern climate. Visited, yes. Lived, no. And so, here I am, in Palmerton, PA. Snuggled against the mountains, with a ski resort a few miles away. There are signs telling me that I cannot park on my side of the street on every 2nd Thursday of the month, so that the snow plow can come and clear my street. And here it is, the middle of October, and lows for the next two weeks are in the mid- to low 30's.
I digress - I am positioning myself as a nut-job here because I am actually looking forward to this winter. I want to know what it's like when the temperature outside drops down to 10ºF! I want to know what it's like to sit in my living room and watch the snow fall outside. I want to know what Blue Mountain looks like with a white blanket. And I am hoping, supposedly against hope, that we will have a white Christmas this year. I'm told that it rarely happens here.
Yes, I'm from Florida, and yes, I want to experience a real winter! And yes, there is a good chance that, come spring, I will rue the day I ever asked for winter. When the ice on the sidewalk takes me down, I may curse winter. When I cannot get dressed warm enough, I may hate winter. When the snow turns to slush and the salt on the streets turns to black mud, and I have to drive through it all, I may despise winter.
But, you know, I have never had any of these experiences, so I will just have to go through this first winter in Pennsylvania and find out for myself. I will definitely do a reprise of this post in April or May, and maybe then my tone will change. But I have one thing to say about winter - I have spent the last 66 years in Florida, and I have personally been through a whole lot of hurricanes. Wiki Andrew if you want to see the last real nasty blow I was in. Charlie and Francis messed with my daughter's Florida wedding, and destroyed Captiva Island. So, Pennsylvania, bring it on! Give me your best shot! Let winter begin. I've got my heavy jacket, I've got my thermal underwear, I've got gloves. I've got my stocking cap.
And lastly, I've got retirement - my secret weapon. If winter gets too harsh, I have an answer: I'm just not going outside! We'll stock up the pantry, and make sure the broadband connection is working, and I'll just stay put until March!
Monday, October 14, 2013
Fall, Y'All?
We arrived up here in Palmerton on July 7th, in the middle of the summer, and it was warm. Very warm. The running joke was, "Did you bring the Florida heat with you when you came up here?" Wasn't much different - days in the upper 80's and low 90's, with nights not much cooler.
But one of the things that my lovely wife Jen had told me for as long as I can remember was that Fall in PA was a very wonderful season, with the changing colors in the leaves, and the cooler days and nights. And I kept wondering just when that was supposed to start.
Well, it has! Blue Mountain, that little "hill" in our back yard has started morphing into shades of yellow, orange and brown. And it seems like I have trouble finding the sidewalks sometimes, as the trees on our street are busy defoliating at a very rapid pace.
And so I am preparing for my very first real winter. Fall has begun, the leaves are falling, and the weather is growing cooler. I am really enjoying it so far, but everyone seems to be trying to burst my optimism balloon. This morning my mountain was covered in clouds, it was about 47º outside, and I was walking the doggies in flannel pants and a sweatshirt. And I was thinking about how much colder it was going to get. But I'm sorry - I simply cannot imagine, in my mind's eye, walking out the door into 10º. I can't! And when I try to add the dogs, it gets even more ridiculous. I need help. Is there anyone out there who can give me proper instructions on how to walk the dogs when it's literally freezing out there?
But one of the things that my lovely wife Jen had told me for as long as I can remember was that Fall in PA was a very wonderful season, with the changing colors in the leaves, and the cooler days and nights. And I kept wondering just when that was supposed to start.
Well, it has! Blue Mountain, that little "hill" in our back yard has started morphing into shades of yellow, orange and brown. And it seems like I have trouble finding the sidewalks sometimes, as the trees on our street are busy defoliating at a very rapid pace.
Our house is the one with the American flag out front. Which really is an understatement because a lot of houses on my street have Old Glory waving 24/7. Anyway, along with the color changes have come much milder temps. Most of our nights here are in the low to mid-40's, and the days rarely climb above 75ºF. We take the dogs for their first walk of the day just after climbing out of bed, which translates to around 7:30 - 8:00 AM. And I don't leave the front door without flannel pants and a sweat-shirt. Yes, I'm a Florida wuss!
Right now, the change in colors has just started, yet there is still a lot of green around. It looks like the full-blown Fall pictorial is still a few weeks away. And so I am getting myself prepared for what lies ahead. Jen has purchased a full set of thermal underwear for me. I have obtained several more sweatshirts with hoods. (I promise I will not wear them anywhere near Sanford, FL!) I now have a nice stocking cap and a pair of warm gloves. And in keeping with my sports-minded sons-in-law, I have one very nice (and well-lined) kick-butt Philadelphia Eagles jacket. (I know, I know - they're not doing all that great this year! But you have to be faithful to the home team!)
And I don't know why, but the one warning that keeps ringing in my ears is "Just wait till it gets down to 10º!" Now, I don't know why 10º seems to be some magical number, but even this Florida boy knows that 10º is cold! And I have a hard enough time relating to that figure, and even thinking about going outside. But what I am really wondering is, what about the dogs? Sasha, our Dalmatian, is usually pretty prompt at doing her thing. Out the door, into the grass in front, squat and pee. A few more yards and the other chore gets done. Sandy, our Papillon on the other hand, is a prima-donna when it comes to the relief business - a quick squat just outside the door and then a casual stroll around the neighborhood, nose working diligently while we cover several blocks. And then, when she decides to finish the job, she takes about 10 minutes to find just the right spot, circling it over and over until she has the site properly prepared. Only then can she leave her deposit.
Now all this is well and good when the temp outside is 55º+. But when there is snow on the ground, and it's 20º below the freezing level, just how are our Florida-raised pups going to react? Forget that - how on God's green earth am I going to react?? I close my eyes and my mind begins to drift: I awaken from a very nice warm sleep, and slowly drag my carcass out from under my blankets, where my wonderful heated mattress pad has kept my core temperature at that 98.6º optimal level. I look at my indoor/outdoor thermometer, and...WHOA! - it says 14ºF! Math question: how long does it take the average male to go from pajamas and slippers to a parka, mukluks, and balaclava at 7:30 AM? And the dogs? I know they have a built-in fur coat, but, fer cryin' out loud, it's sub-freezing out there. What about the little pads on their feet? What if they try to sniff their favorite hydrant and their little nose sticks to the surface? What happens when one of them squats to pee, and she freezes to the sidewalk?
You can tell I'm a Southern boy, because no one else would stop to consider these things. I do not want to leave the premises when it's that cold outside, let alone take two mutts along for the tortu...er...walk. I've been thinking - we have a very strong clothesline in our miniscule back yard. Getting the idea yet? I'll rig up a short leash, lest the beasts stray into the neighbor's "no dog" zone, and then all I need to do is wrap myself in several layers, run said pooch out the back door and attach same to clothesline, then retreat to the warmth of my igloo. Wait about 3-5 minutes and then dash out and retrieve one slightly frozen canine. Repeat for dog #2, and hope that pneumonia doesn't set in. Ain't I ingenious?
BTW, the cats have it made in the shade. Their en suite is in my
den, and they have two very nice kitty boxes to use, complete with
man-servant. Twice a day, I clean the litter boxes, give them fresh
water and food, and clean off the doormat. If you ever wonder why cats
are so snooty, it's because us humans spoil them rotten. I know where I will find them on these Arctic days - laying next to or very near the home heating system. Or sleeping in either my lap or Jen's.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Where It ALL Started!
This afternoon (Saturday, Sept. 28), Jen and I went to watch our grandson Aiden play football. We love going to his games, and we hate to see his team lose, and both happened today. But sportsmanship is the name of the game, and win or lose, the kids love to play and learn. With only 10 minutes a quarter, and very few time-outs, the games don't last very long, and before we knew it, it was time to say goodbye and head home.
But when we mapped out the route to the game, I had the chore of putting the route on our GPS, and I went to Google Maps so I could see the actual satellite picture of where we were going. And - lo and behold! - I discovered that we were going to be very close to a very special place in our hearts - a place called Little Lehigh Parkway. Now, the reason for this being such a special place is because, on May 24th of 1997, Jen and I spent most of that day underneath a canopy of four trees, in a large hammock, listening to John Denver and falling in love.
I had first learned of Jen's existence from my brother Brian and his wife Carolyn, who just happened to be Jen's older sister. I was divorced and not really looking for anyone at the time, but my bro gave me Jen's phone number, in Allentown, PA. I had called her, and talked for over an hour that first time, and that kicked off a long-distance relationship that was unbelievable! It was as if we were two old friends who had just re-established a connection after years apart. And after many subsequent phone calls, letters and cards, and even some flowers, we decided that I would fly up to PA and meet her on the Memorial Day week-end. That's the simple explanation, and a bit deceptive, really.
In actuality, I was on the phone with Jen a few weeks before, and she suggested a possible visit in the near future. She had absolutely no idea how impulsive I could be until that moment, but she sure found out in a hurry. Because as we talked, I told her to hold on for a minute, and called Delta Airlines. And while we were yakking about the date and time, I was flipping back and forth between her call and the Delta agent, making the reservations. "Okay, Jenny! All set! I'll be on Delta Flight xxx on May 23rd, going through Newark and arriving in Allentown at xx o'clock!" WHAT???? Jen was flabbergasted - we were talking about a possible visit, and there I was, making the flight plans at the same time! "Are you crazy? What the heck are you doing?? I thought we were talking about you maybe coming up..."
Long story short, that Friday of Memorial Day week-end, there I was, deplaning at Lehigh Valley International and looking for my friend Jennifer. Remember, just phone calls and letters (and oh, yes, some flowers) - there was no romance just yet. I just about walked right past her before I saw her, but soon we were on our way to a quick tour of the area and the hotel where I would be staying. I'm not going any further on this story - that will be another time - but needless to say, the spark had been kindled, and plans were made to go and visit Little Lehigh the following day for a little "get-acquainted" picnic.
Jen had this huge hammock, a blanket, and a small boom-box for some music. Along the way, we were talking about music and Jen was recommending John Denver's Rocky Mountain Collection. John was one of my old favorites, and we decided to stop at a small music shop along the way and pick up a duplicate set (for my own collection) to listen to on our outing. We were good to go now, and I couldn't wait to get this picnic started!
The park was beautiful! If you have clicked on the link I provided above, you can see how green and lush it is. We arrived probably mid-morning, maybe around 11 AM, and pulled into the small parking lot, where we unloaded our supplies, and started looking for a good place to settle down. It was then that we spotted a small bunch of trees about one hundred yards north of the car, and decided that it was just the right spot!
(If you will look at the Google Map in satellite view, and zoom in on that little parking lot, if you scan about 45º north-west from the top of the lot, you'll see what appears to be one huge tree casting a big shadow to the west. This is actually four trees, spaced about 15' apart in an almost- perfect square. This is "the spot"!)
Off we went, arms loaded with all the stuff! The setting was perfect - four trees situated almost in a perfect square pattern, the canopies intertwined so that it made a beautiful, fully shaded umbrella over our heads. It was as if God had provided the best stage for what was about to happen - a special park, a beautiful day, a magic spot, and this wonderful woman who would become my wife and life partner.
We set up the hammock, lined it with the blanket, plopped down the boom-box and fired up ol' John Denver, and let God and nature take over! You know, when you hear songs about falling in love, or read those romance stories, they were written about what was happening right here, right now. I can tell you without any hesitation that this day, this location, this scenario was the single most important event in my life to date, and I know that my Creator gave this to me, to us, as His special gift. I look at this picture, taken 16 years ago, and thank Him that every day when I wake up, I have this woman in my life, just as beautiful as ever!
We spent most of the day lying in that hammock together, listening to the music, singing along (both of us knew all the words), and falling in love! Have you ever listened to the words of "Annie's Song?" I cannot tell you if there were others in the park that day, or even if there was more to the park, really. That little stand of trees was our little world and time stood still, even though it also seemed to be passing at light-speed. How can that be? I think the sun was going down before we decided to pack it all up and head back to the hotel.
But when we left Little Lehigh that day, everything had changed. I was more in love than ever with that sweet girl with the straw hat and infectious smile! That was over 16 years ago, and we will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary this coming Valentine's Day! Yep! Ever romantic, Jen had to have February 14th as our wedding day! And so, ever since we arrived here permanently (in July), we have been wanting to return to the "scene of the crime!" And we did just that today.
Oh, how I wish we had brought a hammock with us! You had better believe that plans are in the works to go back again and re-create that special day so many years ago! But, ya know, it was so special with Jen and I standing there again... We didn't need that hammock, or that blanket. And we stood there, holding hands and singing Annie's Song, and it was 1997 all over again!
We did get to go back for a visit a few years after that day in the park, and decided to leave a momento of the day we fell in love right there in our spot. So I took out my trusty Gerber and carved our initials in one of the trees. Not wanting to be too destructive (and because I had a little knife), I only carved "G + J" in the bark. That was about 14 years ago, and when we were there today, I wondered if those initials were still there. And sure enough -
It HAS been 14 years, but there they were! So tell me - Jen and I ain't doin' too bad for a couple of old youngsters, are we? And now that we are here in PA for good, we can come and visit our special spot any time we want. This park and this place have a special place in our hearts, and being there today was like being in our own private time machine. We will be back! And we will always remember that day we fell in love!
But when we mapped out the route to the game, I had the chore of putting the route on our GPS, and I went to Google Maps so I could see the actual satellite picture of where we were going. And - lo and behold! - I discovered that we were going to be very close to a very special place in our hearts - a place called Little Lehigh Parkway. Now, the reason for this being such a special place is because, on May 24th of 1997, Jen and I spent most of that day underneath a canopy of four trees, in a large hammock, listening to John Denver and falling in love.
I had first learned of Jen's existence from my brother Brian and his wife Carolyn, who just happened to be Jen's older sister. I was divorced and not really looking for anyone at the time, but my bro gave me Jen's phone number, in Allentown, PA. I had called her, and talked for over an hour that first time, and that kicked off a long-distance relationship that was unbelievable! It was as if we were two old friends who had just re-established a connection after years apart. And after many subsequent phone calls, letters and cards, and even some flowers, we decided that I would fly up to PA and meet her on the Memorial Day week-end. That's the simple explanation, and a bit deceptive, really.
In actuality, I was on the phone with Jen a few weeks before, and she suggested a possible visit in the near future. She had absolutely no idea how impulsive I could be until that moment, but she sure found out in a hurry. Because as we talked, I told her to hold on for a minute, and called Delta Airlines. And while we were yakking about the date and time, I was flipping back and forth between her call and the Delta agent, making the reservations. "Okay, Jenny! All set! I'll be on Delta Flight xxx on May 23rd, going through Newark and arriving in Allentown at xx o'clock!" WHAT???? Jen was flabbergasted - we were talking about a possible visit, and there I was, making the flight plans at the same time! "Are you crazy? What the heck are you doing?? I thought we were talking about you maybe coming up..."
Long story short, that Friday of Memorial Day week-end, there I was, deplaning at Lehigh Valley International and looking for my friend Jennifer. Remember, just phone calls and letters (and oh, yes, some flowers) - there was no romance just yet. I just about walked right past her before I saw her, but soon we were on our way to a quick tour of the area and the hotel where I would be staying. I'm not going any further on this story - that will be another time - but needless to say, the spark had been kindled, and plans were made to go and visit Little Lehigh the following day for a little "get-acquainted" picnic.
Jen had this huge hammock, a blanket, and a small boom-box for some music. Along the way, we were talking about music and Jen was recommending John Denver's Rocky Mountain Collection. John was one of my old favorites, and we decided to stop at a small music shop along the way and pick up a duplicate set (for my own collection) to listen to on our outing. We were good to go now, and I couldn't wait to get this picnic started!
The park was beautiful! If you have clicked on the link I provided above, you can see how green and lush it is. We arrived probably mid-morning, maybe around 11 AM, and pulled into the small parking lot, where we unloaded our supplies, and started looking for a good place to settle down. It was then that we spotted a small bunch of trees about one hundred yards north of the car, and decided that it was just the right spot!
(If you will look at the Google Map in satellite view, and zoom in on that little parking lot, if you scan about 45º north-west from the top of the lot, you'll see what appears to be one huge tree casting a big shadow to the west. This is actually four trees, spaced about 15' apart in an almost- perfect square. This is "the spot"!)
Off we went, arms loaded with all the stuff! The setting was perfect - four trees situated almost in a perfect square pattern, the canopies intertwined so that it made a beautiful, fully shaded umbrella over our heads. It was as if God had provided the best stage for what was about to happen - a special park, a beautiful day, a magic spot, and this wonderful woman who would become my wife and life partner.
We set up the hammock, lined it with the blanket, plopped down the boom-box and fired up ol' John Denver, and let God and nature take over! You know, when you hear songs about falling in love, or read those romance stories, they were written about what was happening right here, right now. I can tell you without any hesitation that this day, this location, this scenario was the single most important event in my life to date, and I know that my Creator gave this to me, to us, as His special gift. I look at this picture, taken 16 years ago, and thank Him that every day when I wake up, I have this woman in my life, just as beautiful as ever!
We spent most of the day lying in that hammock together, listening to the music, singing along (both of us knew all the words), and falling in love! Have you ever listened to the words of "Annie's Song?" I cannot tell you if there were others in the park that day, or even if there was more to the park, really. That little stand of trees was our little world and time stood still, even though it also seemed to be passing at light-speed. How can that be? I think the sun was going down before we decided to pack it all up and head back to the hotel.
But when we left Little Lehigh that day, everything had changed. I was more in love than ever with that sweet girl with the straw hat and infectious smile! That was over 16 years ago, and we will be celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary this coming Valentine's Day! Yep! Ever romantic, Jen had to have February 14th as our wedding day! And so, ever since we arrived here permanently (in July), we have been wanting to return to the "scene of the crime!" And we did just that today.
Oh, how I wish we had brought a hammock with us! You had better believe that plans are in the works to go back again and re-create that special day so many years ago! But, ya know, it was so special with Jen and I standing there again... We didn't need that hammock, or that blanket. And we stood there, holding hands and singing Annie's Song, and it was 1997 all over again!
We did get to go back for a visit a few years after that day in the park, and decided to leave a momento of the day we fell in love right there in our spot. So I took out my trusty Gerber and carved our initials in one of the trees. Not wanting to be too destructive (and because I had a little knife), I only carved "G + J" in the bark. That was about 14 years ago, and when we were there today, I wondered if those initials were still there. And sure enough -
It HAS been 14 years, but there they were! So tell me - Jen and I ain't doin' too bad for a couple of old youngsters, are we? And now that we are here in PA for good, we can come and visit our special spot any time we want. This park and this place have a special place in our hearts, and being there today was like being in our own private time machine. We will be back! And we will always remember that day we fell in love!
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Bucket List, Here I Come!
Last Sunday morning, Jen and I attended church services at nearby Bethany Wesleyan church, with our daughter Amanda and her hubby JT and our 3 little grand-girls. It was a wonderful time, and afterwards, a bunch of us decided to go get some lunch at a place called Blue Mountain Drive-In. We had never been there - no matter where we go up here, chances are I have never been there! - and it was a nice drive up Blue Mountain on a beautiful almost-Fall morning! Slight chill in the air, bunch of kids running around and good fellowship! We will go back!
So when we got ready to leave, I thought it might be fun to continue up the mountain and discover the back way into Palmerton. We asked for cursory directions, as we had absolutely no idea where we were going, and said our good-byes, and we were off on another mini-adventure. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, and as we climbed up that mountain, our little Escort was working overtime and letting us know it was trying really hard to keep up with the gas we were feeding into its little carburetor. Jen was remarking about how all those leaves would soon be turning those red, yellow and brown colors, and how much she loved PA, when we came over the top of the mountain, and...
"OMG!!! It's the Blue Mountain Ski Resort!" Whoa! Is this where Annie and family come to ski? Why, it's in our back yard! I look over my shoulder as we cruise past the entrance, and a few minutes later, there's a ski lift! Looks kinda strange, with no snow surrounding it, but there it is. Now, I have never seen a ski lift, nor been near a ski resort, in all my 66 years! But being the adventurous guy that I am - I was into sky-diving, SCUBA diving, flying and alligator wrestling - my mind is now going into over-drive, and I can see myself, snow-boarding down the Black Diamond slopes, flying over those moguls (See? I've read up on this stuff already!), carving and free-stylin' with the best of them!
This has been on my unwritten bucket list for a long time now. Annie even promised me that she would take me skiing during one of our long-past Christmas vacations, but somehow it never happened. Will it happen now? Does a duck walk barefoot on the beach? You betcha! I am living almost at the base of this resort, and I will be on those slopes when the snow arrives! I may not end up buying my own board (for some reason, I'm not too keen on learning how to ski), boots, and the other assorted paraphernalia, but by golly, I'm going to give it my best shot! There are no more excuses - I live here, and I am going to enjoy the snow and the winter!
Now, I'm not exactly a wuss when it comes to this stuff. I can ice-skate, I can roller-blade, and I have been known to water-ski fairly well in the past. I ain't your standard Gomer here! Admittedly, I fell down once or twice in all of the aforementioned sports - doesn't everybody? And so I'm thinking that I'll probably fall down once or twice when I first try to snow-board. But then, it's snow, isn't it? That soft, fluffy white stuff? How much could it hurt to fall on my keester on snow? Uh, on my face??? Well, that might be a bit different. But look, Jack, I don't plan on falling down THAT much! And I know what you're thinking - how are you gonna get UP? Well, if I don't fall down, that's a moot point, isn't it?
I know, I know...I'll have to start on the "bunny slope!" And now I can see, in my mind's eye, all the seasoned schussers standing around, watching me crash and burn on the flippin' bunny slope! Geez! "Look, Ralph - another one of those Florida ya-hoos face-down in the mush!" Well, maybe I can train in my back yard, out of sight of the critics, and then show up and wow! 'em on that Black Diamond trail!
And then again, maybe I'll go sit at the lodge with a pair of binoculars and watch the other wanna-be's crash and burn on the bunny slope! And sip my hot cocoa and think about how smart I am! Yeah! That's the ticket!
(I am actually going to try this stuff in the coming winter. You can mail your get-well condolences to the local hospital in Palmerton, care of Alligator Gary. They'll know who I am!)
So when we got ready to leave, I thought it might be fun to continue up the mountain and discover the back way into Palmerton. We asked for cursory directions, as we had absolutely no idea where we were going, and said our good-byes, and we were off on another mini-adventure. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful, and as we climbed up that mountain, our little Escort was working overtime and letting us know it was trying really hard to keep up with the gas we were feeding into its little carburetor. Jen was remarking about how all those leaves would soon be turning those red, yellow and brown colors, and how much she loved PA, when we came over the top of the mountain, and...
"OMG!!! It's the Blue Mountain Ski Resort!" Whoa! Is this where Annie and family come to ski? Why, it's in our back yard! I look over my shoulder as we cruise past the entrance, and a few minutes later, there's a ski lift! Looks kinda strange, with no snow surrounding it, but there it is. Now, I have never seen a ski lift, nor been near a ski resort, in all my 66 years! But being the adventurous guy that I am - I was into sky-diving, SCUBA diving, flying and alligator wrestling - my mind is now going into over-drive, and I can see myself, snow-boarding down the Black Diamond slopes, flying over those moguls (See? I've read up on this stuff already!), carving and free-stylin' with the best of them!
This has been on my unwritten bucket list for a long time now. Annie even promised me that she would take me skiing during one of our long-past Christmas vacations, but somehow it never happened. Will it happen now? Does a duck walk barefoot on the beach? You betcha! I am living almost at the base of this resort, and I will be on those slopes when the snow arrives! I may not end up buying my own board (for some reason, I'm not too keen on learning how to ski), boots, and the other assorted paraphernalia, but by golly, I'm going to give it my best shot! There are no more excuses - I live here, and I am going to enjoy the snow and the winter!
Now, I'm not exactly a wuss when it comes to this stuff. I can ice-skate, I can roller-blade, and I have been known to water-ski fairly well in the past. I ain't your standard Gomer here! Admittedly, I fell down once or twice in all of the aforementioned sports - doesn't everybody? And so I'm thinking that I'll probably fall down once or twice when I first try to snow-board. But then, it's snow, isn't it? That soft, fluffy white stuff? How much could it hurt to fall on my keester on snow? Uh, on my face??? Well, that might be a bit different. But look, Jack, I don't plan on falling down THAT much! And I know what you're thinking - how are you gonna get UP? Well, if I don't fall down, that's a moot point, isn't it?
I know, I know...I'll have to start on the "bunny slope!" And now I can see, in my mind's eye, all the seasoned schussers standing around, watching me crash and burn on the flippin' bunny slope! Geez! "Look, Ralph - another one of those Florida ya-hoos face-down in the mush!" Well, maybe I can train in my back yard, out of sight of the critics, and then show up and wow! 'em on that Black Diamond trail!
And then again, maybe I'll go sit at the lodge with a pair of binoculars and watch the other wanna-be's crash and burn on the bunny slope! And sip my hot cocoa and think about how smart I am! Yeah! That's the ticket!
(I am actually going to try this stuff in the coming winter. You can mail your get-well condolences to the local hospital in Palmerton, care of Alligator Gary. They'll know who I am!)
Saturday, September 21, 2013
Is It Fall Yet? Is It Fall Yet? Is It Fall Yet?
Well, it was bound to happen, and it has started - our Pennsylvania summer has segued into what seems a lot like fall. Everyone around here is telling me that it's a bit early for the real fall, but here it is, mid-September, and we've had at least one morning low in the high 30's. Now, being a Florida boy, this ol' body starts thinking it's winter when the temps drop below 60º. We usually didn't see any cold weather down there until probably mid-December, and it didn't get really cold, i.e below 50º, until January or February. We actually had one winter in Central Florida when it hit the low 20's one morning. No kidding! The water froze in our pipes, and we have pictures of our garden fountain with icicles hanging from it! And I might even mention that it actually snowed in Ft. Lauderdale on January 19th, 1977! Really!!
And so, here I am, in Eastern PA in September, going to my grandson's night-time football game a week ago, and I'm wearing thermal underwear under jeans and a sweatshirt. It was cold, probably in the high 50's, with a bit of a wind chill, and even my daughter Annie seemed to be shivering a bit. And as I talk to some of the others standing around, I hear things like, "Well, we've had really mild winters for the last four years or so, so I think we're due for a really harsh one this time around!" Oh, great! I think ol' man Winter has just been waiting for me to arrive on the scene so he could show me what the word "cold" really meant. When we first got here, the locals didn't want to spook me, so they spun all of these nice tales of mild winters and "hardly any snow, because, you know, we're in this nice protective Lehigh Valley..." And now, I'm being warned that we might be looking at sub-zero temps and blizzards! Hey! I didn't sign up for this, ya know!
Anyway, for the past week or so, we've had lows in the 40's and highs in the low 70's, and some of the trees have actually started to turn colors (It's not nice to fool Mother Nature, ya know!). And it's actually very nice! If all winter could be this way, I'd be one happy camper. But I know, or I think I know, what is in store for me in a few months, and so I'm building a clothing war chest, so to speak, to prepare for that winter that the locals seem to think is going to hammer us.
My family is into sports, Philadelphia-based, so it's Phillies in summer and Eagles in winter. Too bad that the Eagles aren't doing too well this time around, but I have got myself an Eagles jacket, heavy-duty with a nice warm liner and a hood. Go, team! Jen has purchased another set of thermal undies for me. I now have a set of gloves. And a stocking cap, to keep my big ears warm. Myself, as I thought about the locals warning me about Antarctic conditions this time around, I was thinking more like a parka and mukluks, a la Eskimo! I don't know why, but the magic number around here is 10ºF! "Just wait till it hits 10º outside, Jack!" I really have no idea what 10º is like, but I think I'll have to dress warmly when I take the dogs for a walk! DUH!
Which brings me to my next winter dilemma: taking the dogs for a walk. In nice sunny warm Florida, we had this big fenced-in back yard, and there were two pet doors that let Sasha and Sandy go out whenever they had the urge. If anything were to get me to go back south, it would be this feature! And so, we move into our nice little row-home here in Palmerton, with no real back yard, and now we have to take our poochies out, on a leash, at least twice (and more like 6 times) a day for their constitutional. This is no problem when it's 80º out there, but the other morning, I dressed in sweats and took them down the street at 8:30 AM, and it was 47º! To me, that's FREEZING! You've heard of LMAO? Well, I was FMAO! And now I'm thinking - what on God's green earth am I going to do when it's 10-flippin'-degrees outside and there is a foot of snow on the ground??? And what are the dogs going to do? Or think? Oh, they already have fur coats, but they have never seen a northern winter before, so they're not used to "bulking up", at least not this time around! I've already started looking on-line for doggie parkas and booties. What happens when they pee in sub-freezing weather? Little yellow icicles?? And it will probably take me about 2 hours just to suit up for the walk. Maybe I should take along a homing beacon so if I don't come back, they can send out a Saint Bernard with a little keg of rum? Wonder if Sasha and Sandy can pull a dog sled.
And so, here I am, feeling the first touches of fall, and waiting for that miraculous color change in the leaves that will mark the onset of winter. Will this be that first really hard year, after so many years of mild weather? Will it be another mild one? Doesn't matter to me, because I have never experienced any winter in Pennsylvania. I know it will be colder than I have ever felt before. I know there will be snow. I have already learned the laws here in Palmerton, and on every 2nd Thursday during the winter months, I have to move our car from the street so the snow plow can come through and clear the street. Clear the street of SNOW?? Nope! Toto, I don't think we're in Florida anymore.
But you know what? I am happy here, here in my new home, with my family - my wonderful wife, Jen, my two daughters and their hubbies, and my 7 wonderful grand-kids. Winter? Snow? Cold? Bring it on! This Florida boy is gonna man up...and probably sleep through most of it!! In my nice, warm, toasty, heated-by-electric mattress pad, bed! Bwahahahahahaha!
And so, here I am, in Eastern PA in September, going to my grandson's night-time football game a week ago, and I'm wearing thermal underwear under jeans and a sweatshirt. It was cold, probably in the high 50's, with a bit of a wind chill, and even my daughter Annie seemed to be shivering a bit. And as I talk to some of the others standing around, I hear things like, "Well, we've had really mild winters for the last four years or so, so I think we're due for a really harsh one this time around!" Oh, great! I think ol' man Winter has just been waiting for me to arrive on the scene so he could show me what the word "cold" really meant. When we first got here, the locals didn't want to spook me, so they spun all of these nice tales of mild winters and "hardly any snow, because, you know, we're in this nice protective Lehigh Valley..." And now, I'm being warned that we might be looking at sub-zero temps and blizzards! Hey! I didn't sign up for this, ya know!
Anyway, for the past week or so, we've had lows in the 40's and highs in the low 70's, and some of the trees have actually started to turn colors (It's not nice to fool Mother Nature, ya know!). And it's actually very nice! If all winter could be this way, I'd be one happy camper. But I know, or I think I know, what is in store for me in a few months, and so I'm building a clothing war chest, so to speak, to prepare for that winter that the locals seem to think is going to hammer us.
My family is into sports, Philadelphia-based, so it's Phillies in summer and Eagles in winter. Too bad that the Eagles aren't doing too well this time around, but I have got myself an Eagles jacket, heavy-duty with a nice warm liner and a hood. Go, team! Jen has purchased another set of thermal undies for me. I now have a set of gloves. And a stocking cap, to keep my big ears warm. Myself, as I thought about the locals warning me about Antarctic conditions this time around, I was thinking more like a parka and mukluks, a la Eskimo! I don't know why, but the magic number around here is 10ºF! "Just wait till it hits 10º outside, Jack!" I really have no idea what 10º is like, but I think I'll have to dress warmly when I take the dogs for a walk! DUH!
Which brings me to my next winter dilemma: taking the dogs for a walk. In nice sunny warm Florida, we had this big fenced-in back yard, and there were two pet doors that let Sasha and Sandy go out whenever they had the urge. If anything were to get me to go back south, it would be this feature! And so, we move into our nice little row-home here in Palmerton, with no real back yard, and now we have to take our poochies out, on a leash, at least twice (and more like 6 times) a day for their constitutional. This is no problem when it's 80º out there, but the other morning, I dressed in sweats and took them down the street at 8:30 AM, and it was 47º! To me, that's FREEZING! You've heard of LMAO? Well, I was FMAO! And now I'm thinking - what on God's green earth am I going to do when it's 10-flippin'-degrees outside and there is a foot of snow on the ground??? And what are the dogs going to do? Or think? Oh, they already have fur coats, but they have never seen a northern winter before, so they're not used to "bulking up", at least not this time around! I've already started looking on-line for doggie parkas and booties. What happens when they pee in sub-freezing weather? Little yellow icicles?? And it will probably take me about 2 hours just to suit up for the walk. Maybe I should take along a homing beacon so if I don't come back, they can send out a Saint Bernard with a little keg of rum? Wonder if Sasha and Sandy can pull a dog sled.
And so, here I am, feeling the first touches of fall, and waiting for that miraculous color change in the leaves that will mark the onset of winter. Will this be that first really hard year, after so many years of mild weather? Will it be another mild one? Doesn't matter to me, because I have never experienced any winter in Pennsylvania. I know it will be colder than I have ever felt before. I know there will be snow. I have already learned the laws here in Palmerton, and on every 2nd Thursday during the winter months, I have to move our car from the street so the snow plow can come through and clear the street. Clear the street of SNOW?? Nope! Toto, I don't think we're in Florida anymore.
But you know what? I am happy here, here in my new home, with my family - my wonderful wife, Jen, my two daughters and their hubbies, and my 7 wonderful grand-kids. Winter? Snow? Cold? Bring it on! This Florida boy is gonna man up...and probably sleep through most of it!! In my nice, warm, toasty, heated-by-electric mattress pad, bed! Bwahahahahahaha!
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