Never thought I'd welcome a Greyhound bus again, but I just now did in Indianapolis when I got off the Burlington Trailways leg of the return trip to Philadelphia. Three hours from Des Moines had to switch coaches; then, a dozen stops without a single one allowed to get off. EIGHT HOURS!!! One girl got off anyway and driver just left her behind.
I smiled when the Greyhound driver said you're on the same bus all the rest of the way to Philly. Plus all the NYC passengers since that's the terminus. Yea. Plus driver announced all the rest stops we'll make. Plus this coach is less "floaty" which was...well nevermind.
One more reason: I fit in this seat.
Whew!
Glad I got that off my chest.
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Farmer's Market Joy
Uploading the pictures still isn't an option just now. I'll put a few more on the Facebook page in a few minutes. Apologies to all for the captioning error of the last FB picture posting. It attached itself to all the pix of the day. I will try to do better.
Everybody knows I love farmer's markets and today I was at the big momma of farmer's markets in Downtown Des Moines with Marilyn and Alan and Susie this morning. It is only on Saturdays, all year, and takes up multiple blocks of downtown. We got there after an early morning thunderstorm.
The variety is wonderful and after a pastry breakfast there, I had to have someone hold their hands over my eyes while we walked by the bakery booths. I finished off a homemade strawberry-rhubarb ice cream though on the way back to the car.
Lots of visiting and Susie brought her guitar for after-dinner entertainment. Yea! Hope she sings Pancho and Lefty again for me.
Everybody knows I love farmer's markets and today I was at the big momma of farmer's markets in Downtown Des Moines with Marilyn and Alan and Susie this morning. It is only on Saturdays, all year, and takes up multiple blocks of downtown. We got there after an early morning thunderstorm.
The variety is wonderful and after a pastry breakfast there, I had to have someone hold their hands over my eyes while we walked by the bakery booths. I finished off a homemade strawberry-rhubarb ice cream though on the way back to the car.
Lots of visiting and Susie brought her guitar for after-dinner entertainment. Yea! Hope she sings Pancho and Lefty again for me.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
West of Chicago
This is from my iPhone since I don't have my laptop along with me on this Greyhound bus. I thought it would be an adventure to go by bus to see Cousin Marilyn in Des Moines (driver says Dezz Moinzz). However, I'm in an endurance challenge that rivals 44 hrs returning from Europe. I'm lucky, I guess; I'm surrounded by people who didn't pick Greyhound because they love it.
The morning has slipped into afternoon and early fog and overcast are traded for clear blue skies and dissiduous forest for a farmed and flatter landscape.
Listening to following kept my mind off bodily discomfort:
Whew. Guy next to me woke up. Made my little bus bathroom successfully. Saw the girl and guy behind who've been talking fairly loudly. She ditched the guy she was with at Toledo station. And took up with the one she picked out before boarding. He is a handsome young man. Her head is on his shoulder as she sleeps; their legs intertwined. She is a thin little thing. She's headed to her home in Salt Lake City after working at Walmart n Ohio somewhere with boyfriend. Only other place she's been is once to Portland. Her conversation was complete airhead for about 15 min. before she must have fallen asleep. I don't think he minds.
Postings will switch to Facebook for a few days due to rigors of small keyboard, and head swimming bouncing.
The morning has slipped into afternoon and early fog and overcast are traded for clear blue skies and dissiduous forest for a farmed and flatter landscape.
Listening to following kept my mind off bodily discomfort:
Whew. Guy next to me woke up. Made my little bus bathroom successfully. Saw the girl and guy behind who've been talking fairly loudly. She ditched the guy she was with at Toledo station. And took up with the one she picked out before boarding. He is a handsome young man. Her head is on his shoulder as she sleeps; their legs intertwined. She is a thin little thing. She's headed to her home in Salt Lake City after working at Walmart n Ohio somewhere with boyfriend. Only other place she's been is once to Portland. Her conversation was complete airhead for about 15 min. before she must have fallen asleep. I don't think he minds.
Postings will switch to Facebook for a few days due to rigors of small keyboard, and head swimming bouncing.
Friday, September 19, 2014
Basic Starter Goat
He's here! Wendy and John returned from a quick weekend trip to Virginia to get four-month old Snickerdoodle, a Mini Mancha buckling to expand her Pennsylvania goat herd.
Wendy has posted more on Facebook and at Casa de la Tortuga, her web site for the goats.
It's a matter of days when I'll be on the Greyhound bound for Des Moines and cousin Marilyn and Alan's new home. It's been decades since my last Greyhound trip, and three years since I last saw Marilyn at the RAGBRAI though she made it to Tucson in between time. Longer since I saw Alan since FEMA has had him afield when I've been in Iowa. His mother is a champion pie maker that had all us RAGBRAI cousins, kissin' cousins and sisters for a pie-eating stop-over the year the route took us through her little town.
In preparation, I have downloaded War and Peace onto my Kindle. I already started it as I think I could go across America a couple of round trips before I finish it. The Kindle copy I have is pretty nice since I can touch a character's name and a box pops up with who they are which is waaaay cool for this mob novel. Other entertainment will be watching the comings and goings of the ridership. Too bad Greyhound doesn't stop at all the little burgs like it did years ago.
Shoutout to Aidan: Congratulations! First Chair Cello Man. His successful seating trials were this evening. We celebrated with pie that Keoni and I got when he, Wendy and John got home.
We're all happy for him despite the well pump not working since this morning with the prospect of carrying buckets of water from the other well to complete tomorrow's ablutions. The well guy is coming in the morning. Yea. If he isn't successful, my stranded laundry in the half-full rinse cycle will be hard to squeeze out by hand since it includes two jeans and pot holders.
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| Happy smile! |
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| Everybody joining in. |
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| Who ARE you? |
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| I'm Enchanted Hill Snickerdoodle. |
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| At ease. |
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| At ease. |
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| A little daylight left for some bow and arrow practice... |
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| ...and maybe a little kitten jammin'. |
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| Karma hopped away, so Keoni had to play the piano. |
In preparation, I have downloaded War and Peace onto my Kindle. I already started it as I think I could go across America a couple of round trips before I finish it. The Kindle copy I have is pretty nice since I can touch a character's name and a box pops up with who they are which is waaaay cool for this mob novel. Other entertainment will be watching the comings and goings of the ridership. Too bad Greyhound doesn't stop at all the little burgs like it did years ago.
Shoutout to Aidan: Congratulations! First Chair Cello Man. His successful seating trials were this evening. We celebrated with pie that Keoni and I got when he, Wendy and John got home.
We're all happy for him despite the well pump not working since this morning with the prospect of carrying buckets of water from the other well to complete tomorrow's ablutions. The well guy is coming in the morning. Yea. If he isn't successful, my stranded laundry in the half-full rinse cycle will be hard to squeeze out by hand since it includes two jeans and pot holders.
Better to think about amber waves of grain...
...and go find a dust fuzzy to contemplate.
...and go find a dust fuzzy to contemplate.
Sunday, September 14, 2014
Living and Breathing
Coming from decades of very long southwestern summer seasons, it surprises me that in PA summer really did have her last gasp a few days ago. How quickly it is over. Coffee, pets, and e-news on the early morning porch are over for 2014, and I think about the plastic in the attic that holds my winter clothing and footwear.
The last hot afternoon on the porch my furry friends looked like this...
Inside, Aidan, inspired by YouTube, experimented with food coloring drips in a plate of water and the result when a drip of detergent lands among them.
Then, there was the plastic water bottle separating the yolk from the egg whites...
Also, there was a crossbow made from his own imagination, numerous pencils, a rubber band and lots of duct tape. The arrow was the innards of a ball-point pen. Inexplicably, it shot backwards during the first trials; later corrected to a 50-foot trajectory forwards.
Keoni's life moves forward with lots of music, practices, friends, SATs, college/conservatory considerations and forms, and an occasional paying gig--one was for a funeral, but mostly fun events. I saw him in a quiet moment and thought to make visual note of it...
Aidan's soccer team sometimes has to wait for the referees to get to the site...
Aidan is one of the kids selected to be on the All-Star team. The days grow shorter so they might have to use a glow-in-the-dark ball and clothing to play the game. What I like about his regular Green team is they keep playing with full tilt, all-out energy and so do their opponents.
As I drive along Clump Road, a detour we make for the Ridge Road turnpike overpass reconstruction, I see the bait and wood bundles signs for an "Honest John" roadside stand hidden behind a screen of foliage.
Gloria and Joseph are having adventures in Italy where they are staying in the region and town where Gloria's father had lived before he went to California. It is so satisfying to have our electronic connections. I'll look forward to hearing more about their stay when we next have a phone chat.
I'm testing out Greyhound travel later in the month. In preparation I went to Center City on the train to get my online purchased tickets printed. Their web site's stated electronic print feature isn't really available. I did get an East Indian on the line, but they, their supervising and technical help made a non-characteristic vague remark that some places there is no print availability. The help at the station in downtown Philadelphia had no explanation either. Hmm.
The good part is, I can easily go on the train from our not-very-distant Lansdale station to the bus depot right in the heart of Philly for one dollar. You know--it's the Senior thing. The Greyhound round trip is $178 plus the $2.50 print charge.
Tucked into the welter of commerce, entertainment, eateries and governance near the Greyhound and train stations is The Fabric Museum staffed by a collection of young, aspiring artists in training--sort of a school museum. They are doing very beautiful screen-printing and docent work. It was a treat to see their varied exhibitions and visit a bit with them.
Wendy's flower garden by the side door has been surprising us all year. Now the Chrysanthemums are back in full color. The beautiful sedum has collapsed under heavy growth and recent rain. The hydrangea didn't set any blooms this year since the bloom stock was too severely frozen last winter.
Over and over, I am reminded how the growing life-cycles all around me continue their processes. Early this morning seven buzzards circled over the nearby woods and the boys and I wondered what drew them. The yellowing leaves of the Black Walnut trees are now joined by the Sycamores. In the yard, the stump evidence of a tree that once shaded the house is growing some fungi...
In the library parking lot a Morning Glory insists on blooming at the curb.
I knew there was something going on beyond dust fuzzies.
The last hot afternoon on the porch my furry friends looked like this...
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| Frezz - Large |
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| Fancy - Medium, and Sebastian - Small |
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| As Carol has said, "Toby, the cat who became a dog". |
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| Alas, I wasn't quick enough for the flowery result. I did get the colors as Aidan poured them into the sink. |
Also, there was a crossbow made from his own imagination, numerous pencils, a rubber band and lots of duct tape. The arrow was the innards of a ball-point pen. Inexplicably, it shot backwards during the first trials; later corrected to a 50-foot trajectory forwards.
Keoni's life moves forward with lots of music, practices, friends, SATs, college/conservatory considerations and forms, and an occasional paying gig--one was for a funeral, but mostly fun events. I saw him in a quiet moment and thought to make visual note of it...
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| This could be the answer to the eggs Keoni gathers being left on the table by the swing. |
Aidan is one of the kids selected to be on the All-Star team. The days grow shorter so they might have to use a glow-in-the-dark ball and clothing to play the game. What I like about his regular Green team is they keep playing with full tilt, all-out energy and so do their opponents.
As I drive along Clump Road, a detour we make for the Ridge Road turnpike overpass reconstruction, I see the bait and wood bundles signs for an "Honest John" roadside stand hidden behind a screen of foliage.
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| ...on one side of the driveway... |
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| ...and the opposite side of the driveway... |
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| Self-serve bait is in the fridge. |
Gloria and Joseph are having adventures in Italy where they are staying in the region and town where Gloria's father had lived before he went to California. It is so satisfying to have our electronic connections. I'll look forward to hearing more about their stay when we next have a phone chat.
 |
| Gloria and Joseph via her email from Italy. |
I'm testing out Greyhound travel later in the month. In preparation I went to Center City on the train to get my online purchased tickets printed. Their web site's stated electronic print feature isn't really available. I did get an East Indian on the line, but they, their supervising and technical help made a non-characteristic vague remark that some places there is no print availability. The help at the station in downtown Philadelphia had no explanation either. Hmm.
The good part is, I can easily go on the train from our not-very-distant Lansdale station to the bus depot right in the heart of Philly for one dollar. You know--it's the Senior thing. The Greyhound round trip is $178 plus the $2.50 print charge.
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| Weekly, Keoni rides to and fro from here for his orchestra practice in Philly and lessons in Ambler. |
Wendy's flower garden by the side door has been surprising us all year. Now the Chrysanthemums are back in full color. The beautiful sedum has collapsed under heavy growth and recent rain. The hydrangea didn't set any blooms this year since the bloom stock was too severely frozen last winter.
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| A few petunias are hanging on. Miniature pansies are still happy, too. |
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| A grape vine just began growing there, too. |
I knew there was something going on beyond dust fuzzies.
Wednesday, September 3, 2014
Dual Moments
The blends of summer and fall are happening everywhere I look; the sun has set by the time the soccer game is at the third quarter. Will the last game in early October be played in the dark?
Toby is eating more even though the days are a last hot, humid gasp of summertime. He is growing another coat for the coming season.
Toby doesn't know yet that rats and mice are edible. I'm certain he thinks they beat chasing a dumb fuzzy thing with a bell in it back in his condo days. When I pick up Toby he doesn't feel like a huge fluff ball any more. He is all muscle.
Having the space in the barn is gratifying and pleasant to work in. The wifi doesn't reach there, but maybe that is a good thing. It freed space in my bedroom, too.
The walks around the property are in pleasant weather most of the recent days except the last few when summer appeared again. But, then, exercise happens; there are all our stairs and I don't want to discount the Tai Chi.
Well, it is time to go contemplate the dust fuzzies. I hope this finds you all well and prospering.
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| Aidan's green team was ahead and coach gave him a turn at goalie... |
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| ...and he kicks it back into play. Green won. Julio on defense. |
Toby is eating more even though the days are a last hot, humid gasp of summertime. He is growing another coat for the coming season.
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| Keepin' it clean. |
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| The five hens take an afternoon siesta under the table and chairs. I wonder what they think of their eggs sitting on top of the table where they were left on their journey into the house when Keoni was distracted from his chore. |
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| Sometimes Toby takes a nap with the hens... |
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| ...but not today. A rat is under the growth! |
Having the space in the barn is gratifying and pleasant to work in. The wifi doesn't reach there, but maybe that is a good thing. It freed space in my bedroom, too.
The walks around the property are in pleasant weather most of the recent days except the last few when summer appeared again. But, then, exercise happens; there are all our stairs and I don't want to discount the Tai Chi.
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| The black walnuts are quickly changing... |
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| ...and the grasses, too. |
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| Summer and fall saying how do you do. |
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| After the last big rain. |