Saving things & Saving memories

I get contemplative sometimes and am so today. I’m sitting in my chair looking at the black screen of my television. It’s 5:24 am, September 12^th, and the cable it out, and so is the internet. Both were up and running through the entire Hurricane Irma event, and now that the pressure is off, they’re gone.

The lack of entertainment has caused me to start writing. I really enjoy creative writing for my blog and telling stories. This one may cause you to look back and reflect, as I am doing right now.

I’ve recently been plagued by some skeletal and nerve issues. Initially diagnosed and treated for sciatica, I still am hobbling around like Grampa Amos on the Real McCoy’s. The physical problems I am dealing with now have their roots in West Pittston, PA, January 1996.

Lea Ann and I had been married 6 months and were living in a half double block home that was only one block from the Susquehanna river. It was a nice place with very little insulation, high heating bills, and a gorgeous set of stairs to the second floor that was the stage for photo’s of Lea Ann and her bridal party on the day of our wedding.

During the latter part of the first week in January 1996, we had a 30-inch snowfall that took us 2 days to clear and pile. There were huge piles of snow everywhere. The Nor-Easter had dropped copious amounts of snow all the way up the east coast into New York and New England.

It was probably around the 12^th of January, (Lea Ann’s birthday) that we had an early spring thaw, and the temperatures rose into to 50’s, and then, a front passed through causing it to rain. It rained heavily and the snow melted from upstate New York and everywhere else in between. The river swelled and rose toward flood stage. We were in harm's way if the river rose to 32 feet. It had done so many times in the past when we lived elsewhere and it now looked like it would do it again. Towns downriver of us were protected by a levy, and even the folks in those towns were being told to evacuate. We were about to lose are things in a flood.

Lea and I started to empty the basement of everything we had put there. It didn’t take long for us to realize that we needed to empty the first-floor stuff to the second floor, and up that gorgeous staircase. I called my friend Vince Shea for help. Thinking back, I’ll bet it was 10 pm when I made that call. Vince came to our house and helped me hump all of our furniture to the second floor into the wee hours. All except one piece. We had a green and white striped sofa that opened up to be a very unconformable queen size bed, it weighed a ton. Vince and I were able to get it onto the staircase but not very far up at all. While Vince was lifting and pulling it from atop the staircase I was lifting and pushing it from the bottom, like one of those guys from the worlds strongest man competition. With one last oomph, we had it to the fourth step, as I felt a little twinge in my right knee.

The Susquehanna rose, and stopped on our front sidewalk, it didn’t get into the house. We had dodged the bullet, in a matter of speaking. It took a while to get ourselves back to normal. I’m sure Vince came back to help us retrieve our furniture from the steps and the second floor. No one person could have done what we did. I’ll never forget how Vince helped us at a time when we were helpless. There’s only one Vince Shea, and we are so glad he is among our friends.

My right knee caused problems with my back about 6 years ago. I do not remember what I was doing, but I felt a twinge in my back that started it all.  Although I do not know the correct terminology, I can tell you that my right leg is not straight. Below my knee, my right leg is bent out to the right.

This summer Lea Ann and I went on an extended vacation in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. We chose that northern location mostly so we could get out of Florida’s oppressive summer heat and humidity for a while.

The residence for our month long vacation was a rental property perched atop a cliff overlooking Lake Seneca and the town of Watkins Glen, NY. A great location to isolate yourself from the day to day, and relax. We were also centrally located and thus we were able to venture out in all directions exploring all there was to see. The weather was incredible, we visited so many quaint towns, wineries, distilleries, the Corning glass museum, the Park Avenue Festival in Rochester, NY and a few casinos.

We visited with family and friends and even made new friends as we were able to attend a party in the lower tier of NY, held at the home of a couple who also reside in Spruce Creek Preserve, the community where we now live permanently. (Thanks for the invite Diane). We were also able to visit with our first cousins Liz Singer, and John Loftus and their families. John, Amy and their family were vacationing in from Japan.

After being in our cliff top retreat for a couple of weeks, we decided to tidy up a bit. LA ran the sweeper, and I used the Swifter. While reaching behind a sofa with the swiffer I felt that all to familiar twinge in my back. Within minutes I was hobbling in pain, in the leg, butt, and knee. Thank God for Aleve!

On our way back home, we stopped in Santee, SC, and saw the total Eclipse of the Sun. I had to include this event in my story because it was one of the most incredible things I’ve ever seen. Second only to seeing Lea Ann at the back of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Pittston, on July 15, 1995.

Once home, (August 25^th) I made an appointment with the doctor and was diagnosed with sciatica. I was treated, and the excruciating pain was gone, but I was still couldn’t walk more than 50 feet without pain. (As a follow-up, I’ll be going to PT later this week, and I am sure my condition will be resolved.)

Then, a day or two before Labor Day we all started hearing about a tropical depression headed west from Africa that might impact the US mainland. Irma. I’ll spare you of any recap of the next 8 days.

As the storm was predicted to run through central Florida, we decided to evacuate our house. Our house, made of wood would likely have heavy damage if exposed to the foretasted 120+ mph winds. My brother and sister in law that live not too far from us, and live in a house made from concrete. (Think three little pigs and the big bad wolf)

Hobbled by my back and knee, Lea Ann took on the task of packing us up, and packing the car. I never felt so useless in my life. She did an amazing job. Lea Ann came into the living room and started taking framed photographs from the tables and bookcase. Saving our memories, irreplaceable photos, and mementos. Like the photo of our wedding party. She wasn’t looking to save our things.

With age comes wisdom.

Irma left us with a pile of medium to small size pieces of oak tree in our back yard, and a leaky window to fix or replace. We dodged a bullet.

Breaking up is hard to do. ~ to ~ Walking on Sunshine.

I started a new chapter in my life one year ago today, June 2, 2016.

After 40 years, 4 months and a few days, I walked out of the Luzerne County Controller's Office covered with silly string, and some tears in my eyes.  I carried out a bag of mementos, and gifts from my coworkers.  My other family!  I was leaving home.

I worked with quite a few people in 40 years.  Some I remember with awesome amounts of love and respect.  Others, not so much.  I did my best to work professionally with all of them.

I served under 13 different Controllers, most of them were elected but some were appointed:  Joe Tirpak, Tom Dugan, Ray Sobota, Dave Muroski, Tom Pisano,  Andy Reilly, Steve Flood, Marianne Petrilla, A J Martinelli, Walter Griffith, Patti Llewellyn, Walter Mitchell and Michelle Bednar.

Early on (1982) I was proud to enter public service for the City of Pittston as a member of the Redevelopment Authority.  I had completed 34 years at the table and was honored to work along side of so many community minded visionaries who helped make the City of Pittston what it is today.

I also bowled in a league at Elko and Son's in Dupont PA for the better part of 40 years.  The men I bowled with are among my best friends.   Those who struggled to score a 140 game are cheered on by those who routinely bowled 250 games.

Those that I worked with and played with during my 60 years in Wyoming Valley are cherished friends that I'll never forget.

In 2014 we purchased a retirement home in Dunnellon, Florida. (Ocala Area)  LA's dad had retired to Ocala.  So our bi-annual visits to the area made us familiar with where the roads went, and where the good restaurants were.  Forty-Five days into retirement and LA and I sold our house, packed up and moved to Dunnellon Florida.

Our new home is Spruce Creek Preserve, it's a 55+ gated community in Marion County Florida.  We have been welcomed warmly here, and have made many fast friends.  We joined the bowling league, and the also the club whose purpose is to organize events and celebrations!  How cool is that! LA co-chaired the annual St.Patrick's Day celebration this year.  There is something going on here every day.  There's an outdoor pool that's heated in the winter,  tennis courts, pickleball courts, horseshoe pits, bocce ball courts and shuffleboard courts... all meticulously maintained.

I sought and was appointed to the Historic Preservation Advisory Board for the City of Dunnellon.  I'm working with good people doing good work for the community.  Public service is very important and fulfilling for me and I needed that again after so many years on the Pittston Redevelopment Authority.

LA's Dad passed away on Good Friday.  We were humbled by the tremendous outpouring of support, concern, and caring shown to us by so many members of our Spruce Creek Preserve community.

There are no church picnic's as we know them, no tomato festival and the kielbasa is just not the same.  There's no pizza like Arcaro and Gennell's, or Cebula's, or Victory Pig.  But OMG, there's BBQ, the freshest seafood served seaside, rocket launches, incredible Cuban cuisine, and some of the nicest people on earth.

We have found another Pittston in Florida, and we are so blessed.

If you haven't read any of my previous blog posts, check out the archive links on the right side of this page.

Happy New Year......Milestones

At the time I'm writing this, 2016 is a little over 7 and a half hours old.  I've been thinking about this new year on and off for about the past 5 years.

2016 marks the 100 anniversary of the birth of my father.   That's really quite something!  I'll ask Kelly Cusey, and Tom and Patrick Moughan, my niece and nephews..... how you might feel in 2049 when you realize that your Dad was born 100 years earlier?

Lea Ann and I celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary in 2015. My grandparents on my mother's side would have noted their 100th wedding anniversary that year.  It's mentally staggering to me that I knew my grandparents and interacted with them 50 years ago.  Our third grade class helped honor them on their 50th wedding anniversary in 1965.  We put on a play/skit in their living room;  I was 10 years old at the time.

On January 16th I'll have been working for Luzerne County for 40 years.  I am the old man in the office.  That's not a bad thing, as my co-workers are wonderful, eager, accomplished and appreciative.  I have it good, and love my work.  My 40 years of service pales in comparison to my Sister's 50 years in the service of God with the Sisters of Christian Charity being celebrated this year.

Ten years ago when I turned 50 I fell into a bit of a funk.  The first couple of weeks after my birthday I know I was a bit depressed.  I guess I wasn't ready to be 50 years old.  My next milestone will be different!

This month I'll mark my 60th birthday, and I'm ready to jump into the next decade of life.  We're planning wholesale changes in lifestyle for this decade.  Lea Ann and I have purchased a home in Florida for our retirement.  We're using the house now as a vacation destinatiion, located very near LA's father in Ocala.

We haven't set an official retirement date, but the countdown clock has started.  I'll start collecting Social Security in two more years, and that should go a long way toward us taking the plunge.

I think it's interesting that many of my friends left Wyoming Valley fairly early in life, and have left their mark in other regions of the country, as I stayed put.

Soon it will be my turn to leave home, but not to make a mark elsewhere.  I hope that I've made my mark here.

And now 2016 is almost 9 hours old.  I'm all set for the next 365 days and 15 hours left in 2016.

Happy New Year!

Brother can you spare a dime?

My mother used to tell me that during the depression, 'bums' would frequent their home asking for food.  Those men were never turned away from her house on Carroll St.  She told me that the house must have been marked, because they all knew that there would be a sandwich for them.  My guess is that the term "Bum", had a different meaning in the 1930's than it does now.

Her family was lucky, her dad (my grampy) had a good business, there was money in plumbing.  He often worked for people who could only promise to pay him, and to their credit they did, even if it was a dime at a time.

A song written by Yip Harburg and Jay Gorney was a bit of an anthem during the Great Depression was called, "Brother can you spare a dime."  You may be surprised as I was that the lyric has some relevance to the economic atmosphere today.

They used to tell me I was building a dream, and so I followed the mob,

When there was earth to plow, or guns to bear, I was always there right on the job.

They used to tell me I was building a dream, with peace and glory ahead,

Why should I be standing in line, just waiting for bread?

Once I built a railroad, I made it run, made it race against time.

Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

Once I built a tower, up to the sun, brick, and rivet, and lime;

Once I built a tower, now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?

A dime.  Today it's likely you'd see a dime on the ground, and maybe walk by it, but back then 10 cents was enough for a gallon of gasoline, or a half pound steak.  Not enough to feel your family, but maybe enough to get you through the day.

Which brings me to last week.  I was walking along a street adjoining Public Square in Wilkes Barre, and was stopped by a man in his 30's.  He told me that he decided to talk to me because I was a formidably sized man who wouldn't be afraid of him, and that when he approaches some people, they are afraid of him.  "They think I'm going to jump in their car after them or something."  He spoke to me, I guess, because I made him uncomfortable.  He certainly didn't know that I'm am teddy bear.  Or maybe he did.  

He explained that he lost most of his possessions in the September flooding.  He was a landscaper by trade, and owned his own business, but lost a lot of his equipment.  Continuing, he explained that he was insured, but his insurer was dragging his feet.  He has three kids, no job, no unemployment, and no work, cause he doesn't have the tools.  Proudly he explains, "I'm not a bum.", "I just need to feed my kids", and like my grandfather used to tell me, "Oatmeal is better than no meal."  "Man, ....can you help me feed my kids.?"

With my mind whirling, and remembering how MY grandfather would have reacted to the same plea 80 years ago, I dug into my pocket and gave him a ten.  I explained that I knew that it wasn't his answer, but perhaps it's help some.  I told him that when he got his feet underneath him again, and had an extra ten, to pass it along to the next guy who was down on his luck.

Maybe I was played, ..... but times ARE bad.  If you were approached by someone down on there luck, what would you do?  Any time is a good time to help someone that's hungry.  I made a direct donation, but I'm going to follow up with a soup kitchen or food pantry donation.

The United States Post Office is collection food for the hungry this Saturday.  (May 12, 2012)
Put out a bag of non-perishable food, if you can.  It feels good.  It help feed some kids.

Comfort in change.

I haven't made a blog entry in quite a while.  When I started this a few years ago, I was sure that I'd stay with it and publish often  I had so much to say.  It seems to me now, that even though I've had a lot of things on my mind, I lacked a tipping point item.  I needed something with which I could tie all of my thoughts together into a theme, of sorts.  Then I would be able to write it all down in this format and present it all like a complete thought, all wrapped up in a pretty little bow.  That unifying tipping point happened only a few days ago.  I hope you enjoy reading this entry.


Change.  It's inevitable that things change.  In Florida they say that "If you don't like the weather, wait a minute!" I think my Mother said it best, "Nothing lasts forever, not the good, nor the bad." Those words could bring comfort to anyone caught in the transition from the known to the unknown, from the old to the new, from the expected to the unexpected.  There is no finality to change, it is intertwined with life, and life changes every day. There is comfort in the status quo, there is comfort in familiarity, there is no comfort in Change.


Just in the last few months my employer has changed the entire way it governs itself.  There are new policies, new departments, a new hierarchy, new challenges, new forms, new procedures...etc.  The department I have been in for 36 years has been cut in two.  Employees have been laid-off, and the work load has been expanded.  The feelings of chaos is tempered by the familiarity of working with people you know, and understanding that they too are dealing with the unfamiliar and the unknown.


I am old enough to remember visiting stores on Main Street Pittston in the years before shopping malls. Borr and Casey was our pharmacy.  You could have lunch at the Sweetland Restaurant, or the Majestic, purchase clothing from Corcoran and O'Brien, and for the Holidays, Santa Claus was at Woolworths.  I saw the "Sound of Music" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" in the American Theater. That theater hosted vaudeville only 50 years earlier. After years of prosperity, that all changed with urban sprawl and shopping malls. Those malls, corporate pharmacies, fast food outlets, big box retailers and multiplex theaters all but obliterated our downtown businesses.  When people moved away from city hubs, businesses and services moved with them. 

New and exciting businesses are now opening in downtown Pittston, and with the presence of 'Boden' we can include an international business.  Yes, I wrote 'international business' and 'Pittston' in the same sentence, twice. New tree's, curbs, sidewalks, crosswalks, signage and lighting have increased foot traffic and are bringing the city back to life. Pittston City is becoming the place to be, again.  Older buildings are being restored, spruced up and re-purposed. The design of the marquis on the old American Theater was the template for the new marquis on the front of "The Open Space". Sometimes the more things change, the more they remain the same.    So even change, changes.

The Scranton Diocese has been changing  The need to consolidate assets was great.  Pittston City alone had seven active churches, mostly built by immigrants to provide for the diverse cultures and the native languages of its members.  Local traditions remain, but the need for individual ethnicity churches has waned.  Over the course of the last four years or so, many were closed.  I've seen three church buildings demolished in that past few years. St. John the Baptist on William Street, Pittston, St. Mark's, Inkerman and Sacred Heart Church in Plains. I thought, ...how sad, but..... "nothing lasts forever, neither the good, nor the bad."


Then, St. Mary of the Assumption Church fell to the wrecking ball last Thursday.  This wasn't sad, it was devastating! Our parishioners toiled for 149 years.  Generations!  Baptisms, Confirmations, Weddings and Funerals.  Singing in the convent garage until 4am after working the annual festival from noon.  Halloween Parties, Bingo's, Smokers, pony rides on Sand Street.  All for nothing?  There is no comfort in change.


However, all of those memories?  We get to keep those!  They won't change, although they may be embellished and exaggerated over time. but consider what might have been. You know, there is something to be said for in the finality of destroying the building.  Hear me out.  Too many other Churches are still standing, waiting their turn. Some to be sold, re-purposed as theaters, restaurants and businesses.  I couldn't imagine the St. Mary's building with a Marquis on it.  Or perhaps as a restaurant serving dinner for thirteen at a table where the main altar sat, or restrooms in place of the confessionals.  We don't have to endure the contamination or our memories by the future.


I went to St. Mary's on Saturday, parked my car and looked at the debris field.  There near the curb, next to where Mr. Bilbow gave bell-rope rides, I saw a small piece wood siding painted brown.  It was about 8 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide.  I pick up that piece of wood and threw it in my car.  Perhaps I'll try and make a cross from it.  The church building is gone, but not MY piece, and I get to keep my memories as well.


I've become a sentimental old man. 


Sometimes you can find comfort in change.

Lunch hour at the Post Office

Earlier this week I went to the Post Office to mail a package.

I was next in line when the male mail clerk turned to the female mail clerk, and told her he didn't feel good.  He had been waiting on one customer for about ten minutes.  Perhaps he was processing a passport, whatever it was, there was a lot of paperwork in front of him.  Just before I was called to the next window, the male clerk pursed his lips, exhaled, his eyes rolled back, and he fell over backwards to the floor, pushing his chair into a metal rack behind him.  I called 911.  The customer waiting behind me leaped to an access gate, found it locked, then jumped over the gate and started to attend to the fallen clerk.  Turns out, that agile customer was an off duty fireman.

Postal employees started coming out from the back room and huddled around him, as they sat him up, he regained consciousness.  After I told 911 what was happening, where I was, my name and telephone number, I started to give them a blow by blow description of what I was observing.  Yes he was speaking, no he's not standing, and here comes a  postal clerk putting on surgical gloves as if she knows what to do.  It was almost like the radio guy who was trying to describe what was happening in front of him as the Hindenburg came down in Lakehurst, NJ.  

911 told me to tell his caregivers that an ambulance was on the way.  I did, but that was right about the time when the clerk was saying that he didn't want an ambulance.  I told that to the 911 operator.

911 told me that the ambulance was on the way, and he could refuse treatment if he wanted to when the help arrived.  The clerks eyes rolled back in his head again, his mouth agape, he had passed out again.  He looked terrible, very pale.  911 told me that help would be there momentarily.  I had done what I could.  

I went to the next open window, envelope in hand, and said, "first class", to the frazzled female mail clerk.  She replied, "he needs to get checked out!"  "He can't keep passing out like that."  I thought, Huh??  I glanced back, and the fallen clerk was again awake and talking to his caregivers.  She said, "Two dollars and forty one cents......out of ten".  "Yeah", I told her, "have a good rest of your day."  She pursed her lips, exhaled and called, "May I help who's next in line, please?" 

It was then that I heard the wail of an ambulance siren.  I met the ambulance crew at the door, and told them where to go.  I wonder now how he's doing?  With HIPPA laws as they are, I might not ever find out.  (purses lips and exhales)   

The bottom of my post office receipt says;
"Help us to Serve you better", "Tell us about your recent postal experience."  Your opinion counts! 

I think I'll pass on the survey.

One year of Solar Panel electricity - Was it worth it?

Our solar panels are installed, out of view, on the southern exposure on the roof of our house.  They've been quietly busy converting sunshine to electricity all year long.  This happens without any intervention on my part, as it's fully automatic.

So I'll bet that most do not really care about how the first year went, or wonder if it was worth the effort.  Ya know, for the longest time we were led to believe that solar panel technology was costly, inefficient, and only for super left wing tree hugger millionaires.  These solar installs were for people trying to make a statement.  They were trying to save the planet themselves.  It's still that way, right?

Wrong.  What would you think if I told you that in 365 days of operation, We saved 48% on our electric bill.  I valued that savings at $686.37.  (4894 kWh)  In addition, we earned, and sold, four Solar Renewable Energy Certificates (SREC's).  An SREC is earned by producing one Megawatt (1,000 kWh) of electricity.  We earned and sold four.  (I've actually just earned the fifth.)  Power companies buy these certificates to meet their quota of producing power from alternative sources.  The purpose of the issuance and sale of SREC's is to help to defray the cost of the investment by the solar host.  That's us.  So here is the lowdown on the last 12 months.

Selling four SREC's netted $1,164.00.  Subtract the $737.40 we paid for electricity to the utility and this equates to free electricity for the year, plus had $427.00 in our hands.  In addition, we generated $686.37 worth of electricity and end up using it ourselves.  If you add the value of the  electricity produced with the proceeds from SREC sales, the total equates to a 12.78% return on our net investment.  My 'Performance' Money Market account earns one tenth of 1 percent.  (00.1%)

Finally, according to a study done in 2009, the value of a home increases by $20.00 from every one dollar in electricity generated by Solar.  20 X $686 = $13,720.00.  Yes, it was worth it.

I'm still beaming!

Summer Time & How I Kept Cool for 50 years.

The outside temperature is predicted to exceed 90 degrees today, and we are all getting ready for the summer.  The central air-conditioning provides cool comfort amidst even the most horrid humidity drenched days of June, July and August

There was a time when it got hot, we all were outside seeking relief.  No air conditioned stores, malls or movie theaters,  There was no air conditioning in our houses.  We had few places to hide from the heat, most often it was the shade of a tree.

As a youngster growing up in Pittston I was exceptionally lucky to live close to an ice cream shop.  Lots of people knew Grablicks Dairy as a place along Wyoming Avenue in West Pittston where you could get soft Ice Cream at the window in the back of the store, and sundaes, malteds and phosphates at the bar.

In Pittston, in our neighborhood, we had the Grablick's Dairy Plant, ..........and the factory store.  Our Grablick's was not so glitzy or as well known as the W. Pittston parlor.  It was a free standing building with an apartment upstairs, and was placed right in front of the Dairy.  Grablick's ice cream was the best.  (It was all we had, and just about all we knew)  My favorite flavor was White House.  Vanilla ice cream with chopped Maraschino Cherries inside, was named so, honoring George Washington who chopped down a Cherry tree,  Grablick's had many different Ice Cream Sundaes who's names are embedded indelibly in my memory.  Pigs Dinner, Bucket O'Sundae, CMP, Dusty Road, Flaming Pinwheel.  What in the world was a Flaming Pinwheel?  I wonder if anyone every bought and ate one?

As a young boy of 8 or 9, my best friend Michael B. and I would seek relief from the heat by taking a "hike".  Our mothers would prepare lunch for us to take on our journey.  I had a World War II vintage canteen to carry, which held a pint of lukewarm metallic tasting water.  Mom supplied a ham and cheese sandwich, and we were on our way.  Down "Pigs Alley", across Radcliffe Street, across Hunter St. and beyond, up onto the hill.

We hunted fossils in the shale, tried to throw rock across the "cutoff", where slow moving freight trains pulled box cars and coal cars to and fro, only God knew where.

It was at the cutoff that an older boy, Freddy S., tried to jump onto one of the freight cars for a free ride, but slipped under the train instead, losing one of his legs.  We were sternly advised to keep our distance from the tracks, and we did!

We found a natural spring, a small pond of water bubbling up out of the ground.  Older folks told us that there was a reservoir there many years ago, and the spring fed it.  All we saw was this puddle, so it was hard to imagine anything so massive and  wonderful as a reservoir.  In the shade of the well watered trees, we'd rest, and pull out our sandwiches and discuss life as we knew it, on the side of a hill overlooking Pittston.  I know now that I should have filled my canteen there, it was probably the best water available for miles!

I also remember occasional family trips to Gouldsboro State Park.  About 25 miles east of Pittston, and high atop the Pocono Mountains, Gouldsboro was our family's, out of town heat relief location.  There was a medium sized lake with a beach, brown state built outhouse type changing rooms and a snack shack, with picnic tables scattered under tall trees, Gouldsboro had what we needed to cool off.  I don't remember the water being exceptionally cold, but it was wet!  If we needed cold, there was alway an Orange Cream-sickle from the snack shack.

The need to travel great distances for swimming changed in the early 60's.  For about 10 dollar per year, our family joined the Pittston Pool Assoc.  We all got an official patch, and it was sewn into our bathing suits.  The Pittston Pool was about a 20 minute walk from our house, and well worth the effort.  There were two diving boards, a kiddie pool, clean locker rooms and a snack bar.  I learned to swim there.  Since there was no such thing as sun block, so I learned about second degree burns there too.

The Pittston pool is in dis-repair now, and hasn't opened in years.  Ironically I may end up having a role in its resurrection make-over as a spray/skate park.  I haven't seen the inside of Gouldsboro State Park since the mid 1960's.  I vow to visit there this year and buy LA an Orange Cream-sickle.  I'll introduce her to the place where we vacationed when Dad was more than 8 times out.
(Perhaps I'll explain railroad speak on being "8 times out" another day)

The place on the hill and the cut-off have been leveled for a townhouse development.  Streets have been paved and named, but most site are empty, victim of the Great Recession.  The trees are gone, the train tracks buried.  Where once was a grand reservoir, and afterward an oasis for little boys, lies a housing development in distress.  No tree's to shade the houses.  Compressors running full bore, providing comfort amidst even the most horrid humidity drenched days of June, July and August.

Obsolescence - It's us or the machines

We often hear about the unintended some times tragic consequences which result when technology runs amok.  How about when advancing technology leaves you clueless.  That's called the E-Peter principle.

E-Peter Principle:
I really enjoy high quality sound reproduction.  A few years ago I decided that I needed to upgrade my receiver to one which supports Dolby Digital Surround.  I did my homework, and when the receiver I wanted was on sale, I made the purchase.  I'm accustom to wiring components together, but this receiver required me to adjust and interconnect it in ways that had me baffled.  Luckily, my nephew Patrick was to be in town about a week later, and he gladly took  the task.  The entire system was up and running in no time, with little effort on his part.  Thanks for that again, Pat.  My electronics waterloo repeated a few years later when it came time to set up my home computer wireless network.  I felt out of the loop and a bit helpless.

Have you ever felt that way, charged with a task which overwhelms as I have described?

I'm sure most of you have at one time or another played basketball.  H.O.R.S.E. perhaps?  How would you feel if you were suddenly thrust into a one on one basketball game with Michael Jordon?  Most everyone has played a round or two of miniature golf?  You may have even tried your hand at the driving range.  What if you had to play a skins game against Tiger Woods? (Pun intended)  That's the feeling.

A co-worker of mine told me one morning that he had to get a new microwave because the light bulb burned out in his old one.  I told him that he should just use the oven with out, what's the big deal?  He replied, "I can't, aren't you listening?" "The bulb burned out,........ how is it going to cook the food!"  (true story)

I sometimes try to unlock my front door, with the key fob from my Volkswagen.  It doesn't work!


Amok Time:  What happens when we try to use technology, but the result is contrary to what we thought it would do.  I recently watched a man frantically waving his wet hand in front of a paper towel dispenser.  I had to point out to him that "dude, you need to turn the handle'.

There are plenty on instances lately as some automobiles take on a life of their own, accelerating down highways and driveways at breakneck speeds.  Another recently reported auto flaw involves the car suddenly turning left. Wow!  Fortunately these events are infrequent.

Last week, as I sat in the drivers seat of my Volkswagen, the cell phone hooked to my belt dialed Sister M. E.  Within 15 minutes I received a call from her making sure that everything was OK.

Follow the timeline of sound recording and playback in your lifetime.  78 rpm records, 33 rpm stereo lp's, reel to reel tape, 8 tracks, cassettes, compact disc's then mp3's.  Each new technology exceeding all aspects of the previous.

So what do we do?  Will this get worse?  You betcha!  Think of the innovations in your lifetime.  Remember being an early adopter of technology?  In a few short years you watched its transition to obsolescence.

Will man built the HAL 9000 in our lifetime?

When you comment on this post, tell a story on how technology passed you or someone else by.

Happy Easter!

What the heck did you do to my car?

As I have previously posted, I am a car guy.  My obsession for the next great car has allowed me to fabricate (use) any excuse for my next purchase to occur more frequently than 90% of the country.  For instance I rationalize, "My car needs tires......better to put that money on a new car, it comes with new tires!"  Or, "The car I'm driving gets crappy fuel mileage.... This new car will save me a bundle on fuel!"

LA never really seemed to mind my obsession.  She was happy that I was happy, but she made no secret of  preferring not to drive my car.  When something would happened to my car while LA was driving it, I mentioned it a few too many times.... subtly attributing the event to LA herself............

Like the time LA backed my Chrysler convertible down the serpentine driveway of one of our friends.  Half way down the hill, the car was in a ditch and the very next day, the driver side door fell off the car.
THE DOOR FELL OFF!  Or when she drove the same car into the rear of another car which slowed suddenly to go over a railroad crossing.   With that my brakes were to blame, and from then on LA told me she really doesn't like driving my cars.  Do you see what I mean?  I did it again!

On Christmas Eve 2009 I hopped in my car accompanied by our friend Trixie to head out to Planet Fitness for an early morning workout.  Trix had to get a water bottle out on her Ford Escape SUV.  I waited for her to get into my car before heading out of the garage and backed directly into the right rear wheel well of her SUV.  I had forgotten  that a 4600 pound SUV was there.  The noise from the collision startled me.  I said aloud, "What the **** was that?"  It sounded like someone playing kick the can with a garbage can.

The Escape escaped a great deal of damage.  Trixie didn't want me to have it fixed.  (Thanks for that)  Actually, my VW didn't seem too wounded.  The tail light assembly was broken, and there was a watch band sized dent/scuff on the left rear quarter panel.  We went to Planet Fitness in spite of the accident.

When we returned, and LA came to the kitchen for breakfast, I told her what happened.  She was quick to point out, "I'm glad it wasn't me behind the wheel, I'd never hear the end of it, from him."  OK, I had that coming.  Trix chimed in saying , "I sorry I parked my truck there."  She even posted that remark on Facebook.  Twice!  OK, I had that coming too.  When ever I re-told the story, I heard from Lea Ann.  OK, I get it.

The low estimate on repairing the damage to my VW was $770.00.  The other estimate topped $1,100.00.
I made arrangements, and the car was fixed late last week, when LA and I traveled to the Jersey Shore to visit with her Dad, who was in from Florida to attend a 50th wedding anniversary party.

We passed the repair shop on the way home from the shore, and I could see my white VW outside, shining like the sun.  I was happy that they washed it, and it looked good from a distance.  We went home, and I returned to the shop with checkbook in hand.  I walked there, the garage is only 500 yards from our house.  Approaching my car from the front, I noticed that something looked out of place on the drivers side of the car.  I walked to my right a bit, and continued straight down the long driveway.  The metal panels covering the two doors of the drivers side of the car were missing.  As I got closer, I could see the window mechanisms in the doors.  There was only one inspection sticker on the windshield.  This indicates that this was a diesel powered Jetta.  (Mine is a diesel)  The car had a moon roof.  (Mine has a moon roof).

What did they do to my car?  I checked where the damage was, and it looked like new, I thought, "This is my luck!  How do I get to work?  How long will it take to get the parts in?  What did they do to my car?

As I was entering the office, I turned for one last look.  The car was purchased at Kelly VW.  Mine was from Kelly,  The license number was KGX-1086.  Not my car.  It was an identical twin 2009 VW Jetta diesel.

Entering the office I saw the owner and remarked, "You're killing me!", he replied, Yeah, that's something, isn't it.  A little shop like this, and you'd be surprised to hear that it happens quite often.  There are some weeks that we might get all Mazda's, or a bunch of Chevy's.  This week we've had three Jetta's, all diesels, and two of them were white.

So the story here is that I was dished a dose of my own medicine.  We all should have that once in a while.  It re-taught me things like understanding, tolerance, love, forgiveness and looking in your side view mirror before backing out of the garage.

Malibu Barbie

Most of you may be aware that I'm a car guy.  I subscribe to automobile magazines and follow the efforts and innovations of car makers all over the world.  So it should come as no surprise that I don't often keep a car for very long, I want the better mousetrap and the latest features.  I've had 6 new cars in the last 14 years.

My wife would still be driving her 1989 Pontiac Grand Am if we hadn't met.  For Lea Ann, the automobile is a thing that gets her to where she is going.  Transportation, something to be driven until you have to replace it because it won't move any more.  On the topic of automobiles, we couldn't be more opposite.

I've always wanted to be sure that LA had a good, safe car that would not nickel and dime us to death.  Unfortunately we have had our share of those nickel dime models.

LA's 89 Pontiac needed engine work at 81,000 miles, so we purchased a 1999 Chevy Malibu.  It was comfortable and quiet and, it got her to where she was going.  The front end was replaced twice, and the head gasket needed to be replace, all in the first 30,000 miles.

Deciding that the 99 would be a money pit, we searched for a replacement.  Assured by the dealer that Chevrolet had fixed those issues, and knowing that otherwise LA was happy with her Malibu....We bought a 2001 Chevy Malibu as a replacement.   It was even the same color as her old Malibu.

On a trip to Florida to see her Dad, in Early 2005 we rented a car at the Orlando airport for our run to Ocala.  The rental we chose was the newly re-designed Chevy Malibu.  I liked the car and convinced LA that it was time for a change.  This new design got better gas mileage, had more power, and the 2001 Malibu was making clunking noises just like the last one did before we had to replace the front end.  Shortly after we arrived home, we made the decision was made, and bought a 2005 Chevy Malibu.

Fast forward to late 2009.  LA had gotten a nice bonus from work.  I asked her what she planned to do with it and believe it or not, she said that perhaps she'd put it down on a new car.  Really?  I asked.  She gave me the task of finding a few good cars for her to choose from.  LA wanted to consider a small SUV.  She pretty much said that she didn't want another Malibu.  "I've have 3 Malibu's in a row".  LA chose to consider the Chevy Equinox, newly re-designed for Twenty Ten.  (See previous blog post 'Are you ready for Twenty?')

The Equinox is a popular car, and they fly off the dealers lot soon after they arrive.  It's hard to get one without ordering it.  Finding one to test drive is hampered by their availability as well.  We had recently received two different promotions from Chevrolet.  One would give us $3000 (the GM card rewards) off an Equinox or any GM car, and the other promised $1.000 off a Malibu, which LA through away.  With coupon (s) in hand, we were off to Bonner Chevrolet to see if we could test drive something.  (Did I mention that I rescued the $1000 coupon LA threw away

As I expected, there wasn't an Equinox to be had, or test driven, but right there in the showroom, a beautiful dark blue Malibu.  LA took off her coat and handed me her purse, then sat in the front seat.  She motioned for me to join her on the passenger side.  I asked what she thought about it, and with two arms outstretched, palm facing each other she said, "It's a car!"  The 12 year old salesman told us that this car was the model (LT) in the middle of the line.  There were two other models, one cheaper (LS), and one more expensive (LTZ).  One of each was in the garage portion of the dealership.  We had questions regarding 4 vs 6 cylinder, 4 vs 6 speed transmissions, and all were answered.  LA said she'd like to drive a 4cylinder model.  The salesman pointed to the LS and LTZ models, and headed outside to find a car for Lea Ann to drive.  Dismissing the LS as "looking really cheap", LA turned her sights to the metallic black LTZ model..  It was loaded.  V-6. 6 speed, power everything, XM radio with Bose speakers, cruise, 18" wheels and it's most unusual feature a two tone leather interior.  It was the color of Ebony and Brick.  Lea Ann sat in the car, looking at everything adjusted the seat and held the wheel.  She called me over and said, "I like this car."  I don't even remember if I had time to respond when she said slowly, "I 'really' like this car."   I clearly saw in my wife's eyes that she was excited about a car, and probably for the first time.  She actually wanted a car for more than its transportation value.  "Great, I said, then we'll buy it!"  Alas, this one was being prepped for its new owner.

The salesman found an identical car in MD which had a 4 cylinder engine, and no sun roof.  Just the way that LA wanted it equipped.  We used our two coupons, took advantage of the fact that the Malibu also came with a 2 grand rebate.  The dealer subtracted a full Six Thousand Dollars from the sticker price and another 7400 for her trade.  The deal was done and Lea Ann's 4th Malibu arrived three days later.

Now you may think I'm silly, but I've had a custom of naming my cars.  My Volks Diesel Jetta is no exception, it's name....Otto.  (Get it?)  I asked LA what name she'd call her new Chevrolet.
"Barbie", she said, "Malibu Barbie".

Now is the time for Twenty! Are you ready?

Just 10 years ago we were preparing for our entry into a new century.  Not really because the new century began with the year 2001.  (Two Thousand One).  We were face to face with the end of time.  Surely all of the clocks in the world would stop, because computer programmers hadn't planned on a year beginning with 20 instead of 19. Airplanes would fall from the sky, and nuclear defense systems would collapse at the stroke of midnight January 1, 2000.
When we awoke on New Years Day that next morning, the sun had come up as it had for centuries, the newspaper was in the mailbox and small birds few across the sky in erratic patterns.  Just as Ebenezer Scrooge awakened on Christmas morning and everything was, as it was, and it was good, so had we awakened to the dawn of a new day, and it was New Years Day.  The world had not ended.  There was hope.  The new decade was here, and those next ten years were certainly tumultuous.  However, as we look backward at those years how will we label it?

I grew up in the 60's and 70's.  LA and I were married in the 90's.  Maybe we could call the last decade the Two Thousands.  A local radio station personality quipped they should be called the 'Naught Years'.

Further complicating the this dilemma is the fact that some people referred to some individual years as 'two oh four', 'two oh six' or 'two oh nine'.  When I took my car for service, the tech at Bonner Chevrolet would ask me which car I had for service that day.  I'd say, "I have the Oh four Impala", or "The Oh five Malibu.  He understood.  LA is considering a new vehicle in a few months, how will I refer to it's year of origin?

I recently watched an episode of "The Colbert Report", where Stephen refers to the Vancouver Olympics as occurring in "Oh ten".  So is the next decade to be nameless as the last?  Shall it fade into obscurity?  Will the next decade be an extension of the unnamed one just past?

Let's cut the cord and separate the past decade with the new one born this week.  I say we are ready for Twenty!  "Twenty Ten".  It has a familiar ring to it.  It wasn't so long ago that we started all of our years with "Nineteen".  Let's not be satisfied with another year or decade of indecisiveness by calling next year "Two Thousand Ten", or the inevitable predictable "Oh Ten".

If we don't act now, we run the risk of having future generations wonder why we weren't thinking ahead.

Happy New Year, Twenty Ten

Click the link to the right. "Twas the night before Christmas"

  I took a day off from work last Friday.  There were some things on my mind I wanted to get in done before the Holiday's.  My Christmas shopping was finished.  I wanted to straighted up and clean the basement.  An unusual  thing to have on my mind to do, perhaps a small dose of OCD kicked in, as I'm not usually that fussy.  The completed project would have taken a few days,  but what I did took 2 hours.  I just wanted to remove some trash, get the place a bit more organized, and to sweep up.
  Once finished I took some time for relaxing.  Sat in my chair with the laptop computer sitting where it's name implies.  I noticed that a tiny lens at the top of the laptop lid was facing me.  With a camera, I should be able to make a recording, I thought.  Once I found the related software and started it up....I was looking at a video of myself, looking at myself.  Soon  I was able to record myself looking at a video of myself.
  I spotted a book with Santa's face on the cover, picked it up, started the recorder, and recent history was made.  My first production.  I hope you enjoy my video debut.
     Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and Happy Holidays..

The first snowfall....and Santa Claus

LA and I were out and about yesterday, picking up 'stuff' from here and there.  I was the passenger in the car, so I had the pleasure of noticing just how splendidly the first snowfall of the season had blanketed the landscape.
It really was beautiful.  To use an overused metaphor, it was just like Currier and Ives.  Light fluffy snow adorning every twig, on every branch of every limb on every tree.  It covered the lawns, but left the roads clear and wet.
I remembered being 8 years old, born and raised on Davies Alley, we didn't have much, but we had the best sleigh riding hill for blocks.  There was a good excitement about the first snowfall.  We knew that it wouldn't be long and Santa Claus would once again traverse the globe giving presents to all of the good boys and girls.
I really don't remember this part, but I am told, that when Santa arrived in downtown Pittston, my sister was charged with the task of getting me to town to see Santa.  There were a lot of good boys and girls there, and the line for Santa was very long.  Mary Louise (my sister) and I persevered, after what seemed like hours for both of us, and for completely different reasons.  I sat on Santa's lap and told him what I wanted for Christmas.
Afterward, on the way home, I spoke to Mary Louise.  "Weesa, I've been thinking about Santa Claus....and", and my sister is thinking, "Oh my, here it comes.....", as I continued, "I think that 'HE' was the real Santa Claus."
And you know, I was right!  He was there.  Amidst all of the decorations and children and parents, Santa Claus was there.
Let's not one of us forget how we once looked forward to snow, and Santa Claus.  Don't forget how we rode our sleds down long neighborhood hills.  Remember when you sat on Santa's lap and knew that he might deliver that football, EZ Bake Oven or a Red Rider BB gun on Christmas morning.
There will be plenty of time left to curse the snow covered road and icy sidewalks.

"If a tree falls in the woods..."

Happy Thanksgiving one and all.  Have you ever heard the philosophical question; If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it does it make a sound?  This post will provide the facts I need to answer the above question.  I would like to think that this blog is used by someone other than myself.  Actually, I'm not even sure that my wife reads this.  So is it all for naught?  With no one here to read it, does it send a message?

I think it does.  This blog actually gives me an opportunity to comment on things as I see them.  My views are valuable, just because they are mine.  You......Yeah, You..... You too have valuable insights that should be shared, just as I do.  Here is the opportunity to explore the possibilities of sharing your views with me.  I'm doing my part, now it's your turn.

Prove to me that the tree makes noise when no one is there.  Do you hear the silence?  I do, and it's sometimes deafening.  We can ponder the meaning of life, and perhaps answer the question once and for all..

Post a one word comment.  It's time for roll call.            Happy Thanksgiving.

Here comes the Sun -- Do en do do

If you see me smiling on a sunny day, it's partly because I'm saving money.  Last month you may have seen the "Keystone Energy" van parked in my driveway.  Lea Ann and I decided to invest in Solar Energy, and had 16 panels installed on the rear roof of our house. They are generating electricity from sun up to sundown.  In direct sunlight, our system is capable of producing over 4000 watts of electricity.  That's enough to power a hair dryer, a microwave and 15 - 100 watt light bulbs.  When we don't use all the electricity we make, our meter spins backwards.  (I've seen it)

The system was not inexpensive, but with State and Federal incentives, it's downright practical.  We hope to have the system pay for itself in about 8 years.  With PPL increasing rates in January, our savings will increase too.  And the Sun never increases it rates!

Have any questions about it, just ask me  I'm beaming!

Sharing isn't fun, when it's the flu.

LA and I enjoyed a long weekend celebrating her Dad's 80th birthday with the family, as we all converged on Las Vegas last week. The weather was nice, for the desert. We ate too much, slept to little, and managed to have a terrific time. We had three family dinners which united four families living in 3 different states, that's something that doesn't happen enough,

Sitting in a 757 on the tarmac of McCarren International Airport, first delayed by the fact that AF1's scheduled arrival in Newark, coincided with ours. Then being pull back to the gate, and waiting an additional hour to service a malfunctioning door, makes you aware of how many people aboard aren't feeling well. Coughs, clearing of throats, crying children accompanied by a warm aircraft being cooled by a poorly working air conditioning system; We were sitting in a 250 passenger petri dish. I had the flu by Tuesday, LA had it by Thursday.

I had my seasonal flu shot three weeks ago. Perhaps it was H1N1, but we weren't tested to see what it was. Maybe it's better not to know if there's another round looming. Sharing isn't fun when it's the flu.

More soon, but in the mean time......

Please feel free to post to the blog. It's hear for everyone to use, and share information. Click around, visit the Susquehanna Estates Community News page. (The link is on the right side of the blog page) Use the SECN page to get the latest local weather. The Jenkins Township weather link connects you to Intellicast. It's one of the best comprehensive weather sites I seen.

There are links to the local newspapers, as well as the USA Today website.

Let me know of other links you'd use. Oh, and feel free to post to the blog!

Welcome to Susquehanna Estates Blog

Hello Neighbors!

I'm pleased to add this blog to the Susquehanna Estates Community News page. Feel free to use the place, just keep it clean. Let everyone know what's on your mind. Make announcements. Vent. Let everyone know where the new potholes are. Let us know when what date you've selected to have your Holiday Open house. (wink) Give me some ideas as to what you'd like to see on the Community News page, and I'll try to figure out how to make it happen. The "Salavantis Development" link appears to be incorrect. I'll keep looking around the internet to find another. Watch for occasional updates.