SAID THE CAT: It's Been Awhile

First, thank you, if you've had faith that there'd be something here and take a look once in awhile.

It would be boring to further enumerate the frustrations with the tech part of this blog save noting that vexing, time-eating circumstance coupled with further demands of changing and updating my personal finance put doubt into what I might say about all that and besides was numbing in a weird sort of way. Oh yes, and taxes. All's mostly resolved now except for the tech, but maybe a new iPhone one of these days will resolve a bit of the remaining frustrations.

That being said, it was a beautiful day of non-winter here and we celebrated Aidan's 17th birthday. (Holy Cow! he was 10 years old when we were at Carol and Janie's those last days of Tucson living.) He and his mom and dad went for a sushi (I don't eat sushi) lunch and brought along a magnificent chocolate cake Wendy made for him to go with the local-made ice cream I had at the ready here in my comfy digs. After which, we hiked through the complex to the pool room and enjoyed three games of pool.

I didn't get a good one of John at the pool table, but Wendy shared one from yesterday...

That Picasso Luckibird knows where it's at.

I sketched (and framed) this for Aidan's birthday from his Heifitz photo we posted a couple of years ago.

Speaking of a couple of years ago...

The Earring Story

At the end of the day a couple of years ago, I discovered only one earring was left from the pair I'd started the day with. I searched every nook and cranny of my dwelling, the car, the sidewalk, the porch, but found no mate to my earring. I was unhappy, not only because I liked the earrings, but also they were a gift from my granddaughter, so I felt extra sad about losing one of them. I put the remaining one away with hopes the other would turn up.

Yesterday, there was a blurb in the church bulletin that said to take a look at the lost and found because Monday the accumulated items would be jettisoned. Hmmm. I thought about my lost earring and almost couldn't wait to check the cubby where the small, lost items were stashed. As soon as the service was over, I began pulling items from the stuffed box but, alas, didn't find the earring. So, I began putting the lost bunch of items back. As I finished, something slipped out and landed on the floor. A yellow post-it and...the earring was taped to it.

A couple other sketches from a small sketch book I carry around sometimes...

I named this one "I'm Confused".

I acquired another walking stick for the Dock area. I still have the other one to use at the farm. Yes, it's becomne necessary on uneven ground these days. They are pretty handsome, really. My first one was from a gas station curio store in West Virginia. This one is from online Walmart. I'll get Aidan to get a picture one of these days.

The Mennonite Heritage Center two or three miles away has a new exhibit area and had a show of quilts that were remarkable...

From the heritage and history section of the center...

These are the people that built and care for my dwelling, and me, and all the others housed here. As I shop or interact with the commerce in the general area, I can feel the impact it and some similar sects have had on the region. Kindness. Yes, its culture is more restrictive than mine and they have conservative and progressive factions, yet there is the statement above. And never once have I experienced even a modicum of intolerance for my obvious differings.

The Weather Report: One good thing about all the rain--it isn't snow.

The Music Report: Aidan had another moment during the PYO Showcase performance at Kimmel Center. After the show was over...

Next Sunday, I'll take the train into the city again for a full PYO concert. These days we 65+ ride the public transportation for free. I still get a thrill out of taking the train into the city even though it, like so much infrastructure, is starved for more funds for upkeep beyond bare-bones safety. I'd be thrilled to use a broad deployment of busses or trolleys for my needs.

Something new is happening though. The newest director of the regional transportation system is a woman. The new Chief of Philadelphia Police is a woman. The Souderton (nearby town) police department just hired Megan, my friend Pat's granddaughter. Their first female officer. She's seasoned by 20 years on the police force in South Philly. Go Megan!

The Farm Report: The chickens are laying again after the winter drop off. Wendy continues her goat project and Aidan and I get in a walk pretty often.