Category: seasons

Summer? Fall? Make Up Your Mind!


Hurricane, or rather, Tropical Storm Jose’ not withstanding, there has been some subtle changes in my neighborhood. Sure, most of the flowers that have been planted have seen better days, but also there has been a little shift in the color palette.


The pastels of spring have made way for deeper, richer colors. My neighbors hav given me my first mum of the season, which is being held in a place of honor on my deck where I see it daily and appreciate it.


For the folks who follow this blog with any regularity, you’ll know I am not a fan of the heat of summer. You see, it’s a job to keep me, let alone the flowers, from fading in the heat. Fortunately, through August, we have had rain at least once a week. Our lawn has never been greener. Unfortunately, with the next four days as an example, our temperature is duel to be in the eighties. Really? September 20th?

My sweater is waiting patiently for a 55 degree day, as am I.

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Season Fight

This morning the girls and I went for our walk and to say it’s humid out down here today is an understatement. I think the three of us came back dripping in sweat, that is, if dogs can drip in sweat. Based on the tongues hanging out of their mouths,and the drool that accompanied it, I think they would concur.

It’s weird because the houses have trash cans out front where people are already raking dead leaves up and other forestry type trash, and yet the temperature seems to contradict the day. It feels more like August 20th than September 20th.

So it’s off to work for me today, the purgatory shift of 10-6. I’m sweating now, and will go in and freeze because the air conditioning is tweaked up.

Pneumonia, anyone?
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One Day Weekend

I have off tomorrow.

Tomorrow.

Yeah, I know, you feel bad for me.

I am trying to look at this as a teacher would working through the winter aiming for summer vacation.You take day after day after day and then finally it’s time for vacation.

In my past posts I have made no secret about how I feel about my adopted hometown in the still of late and off-season.It stands to reason that I would be working through the summer to enjoy my time later on.My only frown is trying to keep up quality time with the girls and catching up with Jim’s schedule once in a while.

It is good to be in a job where my mind has to be sharp.My old work buddies would laugh their butts off at me wearing a Time-Life operator’s headset, when I thought I was done with that.

What goes around comes around.

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A hopeful week

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It was the week that was.

We are working our way out of the sick bay, and I actually got the girls out for a little while today and enjoyed the weather.I took them out and enjoyed the flowers and trees coming into bloom.

The flip side of that is that the pollen is knocking me for a loop, and that really hasn’t happened for a while.I am used to the fact that you have to pay a price for nature’s beauty, but I can’t help but wonder if the harshness of the winter has something to do with this onslaught of pollen.More than likely, I am just pulling out of the GI bug with a pollen chaser.

I am hoping that this week goes better than this past week.The shot I took of the dogwood blossoms made me feel optimistic.Here’s hoping you have a good week too!

Weather or not

It was my nephew Matt’s interest in weather that peaked mine.

He studied it and as he did,all of a sudden my weather report, once a glance at a television screen or ear toward the radio, became the NOAA weather page on the computer or the weather channel or weather underground.Thanks to Matt’s interest I learned to pay attention.

The reason I am writing this post is that down here at Undisclosed, it currently is raining and the forecasted for rain through tomorrow.This weekend, traditionally, has a wine festival here this weekend because for a good deal of folks in these parts, it’s a holiday weekend.Normally they would have it at the Cape May Lewes ferry grounds.Evidently, parking was an issue, so they moved the location this year.

They moved it to a large open field off of the Garden State parkway.That’s going to be good. Torrential downpours, and although they have tents, I was never so glad I am not into wine. Schlepping around in mud is not my idea of a good time.

Stay dry and classy, Cape May!

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Ah, August….

For all its heat spikes and the like, I love August, as it gives promise to the fall.

In prior postings you know I had many life changing events in August..a couple of good Phillies seasons…started a job 28, almost 29 years ago which I still have…went on childhood vacations every year with my family during the end of August..God sent my Dad on his final vacation August 24,sixteen years ago,which was fitting as our vacation week he always took was the last week in August…and Jim and I were married on August 31st, almost 11 years ago.

I am thankful for all I have experienced in August, for they have matured me in a way that nothing else would. I have come out of it realistic, albeit slightly hopeful.I have a light heart when windows are actually opened and I hear the crickets outside, and when I am at Undisclosed I and II, I look up at a beautiful summer sky filled with stars like promises,just waiting to come to me.

Enjoy the month, faithful reader, and may it be kind to us all.

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stormy weather

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The calling card of summer in the Mid-Atlantic states is that calling card of the three H’s- hazy, hot and humid.

So far,5 days in, it hasn’t ceased to fail my expectations.

The thought of walking to public transportation in the heat, coming home in the heat, hah..what’s cooking unless it’s cool?Back in the old days I’d go to the local recreation center to swim, but that’s a leisure I don’t have time for any more.

Today the girls are on their second dose of their medicine, which, hopefully, will have them feel better.
They are at home sleeping in front of the air-conditioner.If they are indeed my fur girls, we all will have gentle summer breezes on our mind, not those thunderstorms that my Zusher hates.

I’m patiently waiting on October!

On the bright side, I went past my neighbors roses this morning. It made me smile.

It’s a good thing!

Holi-what?

So it’s the official start of summer this weekend.

Not for Shingleman and the family.

Sure would like to be down at Undisclosed with Jim and the fur girls, but, shucks,
we are stuck here in the city this weekend. There is plenty for us to do in the
city that needs to get done in a few weeks.

I’ll be drooling, thinking of walking the bay, hanging out in the yard, just
keeping back, but instead, things will be done.

**sigh**

Maybe next summer…..

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Uh-huh

We are on the road, after tip-toeing through some rainy travel , especially on the Schuykill expressway.

It is difficult when seasons change, and although things get pretty, well, not everyone believes in dealing with their allergies…

Here’s hoping you have a good weekend!

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Friday 5

A good friend in the office is teetering on the brink of labor…I am so thankful I get to miss the madness…lol. Children are nice but
it’s always good to give them back to their parents.

Boston is allegedly going to be snowed under this weekend. I have never been so happy to be a mid Atlantic state.

Kasia’s leg gets unbandaged today. I am thankful my baby girl kept her bandage on like a trooper!

While taking the girls out for their walk after work, I noticed, this week, that it’s staying lighter a little longer. Yay!

I am grateful that although I can support Girl Scouts all I want, no one is holding a gun to my head : thank God for an office where I can put the
cookies the next aisle over from me!

Have a great weekend!Below is a picture of my kids and their Dad!

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Sandy’s knocking

It’s quiet…with the exception of the blustery winds…and autumn leaves are off the trees…

There is a mandatory evacuation from the barrier islands, but we are on the mainland. Still, the proximity of the storm to Delaware bay and Undisclosed makes me wish we get on the road soon. Shingleman is out checking out waves, and helping a neighborhood buddy board up.

The storm is knocking though: winds are blustery, and the chill is in the air. I am with the girls and all is good!

Be safe!

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Friday gratitude 5

How grateful am I to have had a chunk of time off. It gave me the chance to relax, spend quality time with Zush, bond tighter with Kasia, ….in short, a chance to kick back.

The weather cooperated enough to get us dog walking daily and savor the peace and quiet .Thankful, I think, all three of us are.

I was so grateful to step away from the office and kind of experience a taste of retirement. I am ready for it!

Shingleman is coming down today-always nice and grateful for having him in my life.

My final gratitude moment is for hydrocortisone cream/ rubbing alcohol/witch hazel… Mosquito bites are almost tolerable!

Have a good weekend!

Thankful for…

Ten years with my Shingleman…I can’t remember life without him.

Above mentioned anniversary, which pushed me to take my first 9 day vacation in ten years…I don’t know hot to behave.

Two crazy fur girls who love the water as much as I do, even though I am going to have to give them a bath tomorrow.

The coming of fall and good-bye to mosquitoes.

One of my BFF, Juls, has successful surgery on her shoulder today-thanks for your prayers, folks.

 

Have a wonderful weekend !!!!

 

 

Bittersweet Pleasure

When I come and go the office, my train is called the Norristown line.

For four years, I’d hobble with my bad knees, sometimes to the bus when caregiving for Mom, but ALWAYS in a hurry leaving the office. There was a husband to talk to, and also care for, fur children to take for a walk, and of course, chores to do. When it would be my night at Mom’s, I’d have to hurry to relieve the caregiver .

When I got off the train, it hit me. I was in the next chapter. Mom has been gone for 2 1/2 seasons. I can take my time walking home to my family. I don’t mean to make it sound that I don’t want to hurry home to Jim and the girls: I do. It is the highlight of my day.

I just realized the mad dash of caregiving being done equals a leisurely walk home.

Truly, a bittersweet moment…..

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PS-I used a shot of Shingleman for this post….he’s my rock and reason I come home!

Olympics

As we slip in season to late summer, another transition occurs-the Olympics.

It is a comfort to me, to watch the aquatic and gymnastic events. I was never an athlete, but how I remember the junior high and high school years…sitting on the sofa with one or both my parents, watching in amazement their athletic accomplishments. I watch them now, with gift of years, and recognize no names. Gone are the Mark Spitz, Cathy Rigby, Dave Wattle, and Bruce Jenner of my youth. I will learn the new names, and appreciate what a young body can be trained to do.

It makes me appreciate my seat here even more!!

Go. USA!

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Cooling off

Thanks to environmental factors, spring has been non-existent this year, which has been something par for the course.Add insult to injury, both here and at Undisclosed, both streets are torn up thanks to water main work.

This translates into the taste of dirt mixing with heavy pollen in my mouth and nose every time I go out with the girls. I know: really attractive, right? Pollen and allergies are working overtime, so if you didn’t sound like you were coughing your lungs out, well, you do now!

Recently it got a little cooler, and Mother Nature treated to some pretty floral sights. Thanks, Old Girl… Appreciate it!

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Cold and clear

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I posted this winter shot of the Cape May Lighthouse, because it reflects a cold, crispness in the year, and also what’s going on

We are waiting on a week of medicine to determine if, indeed, her kidneys are shutting down. If there is no change in her urine output,then we have verification,as cold and clear as winter air, that we are starting Mom’s final chapter.

There are a lot of things going on,and to me, somehow, in this time of year,things are clearly out there in the cold world…no leaves on trees to distort your picture.

It is what it is.

No pretense here.

The picture you see is a neighbor’s house at the Undisclosed location. It is only part of his light display he puts up yearly, and the picture, I will be the first to admit, does it no justice. But it is probably the biggest piece of Christmas you will get from me.

My Mom’s mental state is down to a 4- when she first got sick she was iand 8 and THAT was severe. The best you can have is 30. I got off the phone with my brother, and we were talking about Christmas. I really don’t care, knowing the chance of actually getting a caregiver who will work is slim and none.Some things are expected, at this point of the game. Mom’s birthday will be Sunday, and 89 will be the magic number. Will she know it’s her birthday? No. Will she recognize me? No. I went to get her a birthday card and looked at the verse: would she understand it? No. So I got her a bunch( 9 pair) of fuzzy socks, as that is what keeps her feet the warmest while she lays in bed. She’ll think it’s just socks-no clue it’s a gift and that’s fine.

My godson Greg has a birthday the nest day and mine is three days after that. Once again, there is no spirit. I am just plain washed out. I will celebrate Greg’s birthday with him on Monday, but mine will just be another day, spent waiting, and praying.

So in lieu of a Christmas greeting, here is the picture of the Undisclosed Location neighbor’s lights.

Merry Christmas.

At least it isn’t snow…

Whenever it gets to be a little rainy, I always am amused at the folks who come back at me with,” At least it isn’t snow.”

OK, sure, when you are out in the work force, you don’t want to have to get up early and have to shovel before you get to work. And for my best efforts, I never had sure traction in snowy,icy weather until I got ice shoes that enabled me to walk a little bit more confidently on an icy street.

Rain is no fun when you are working and you almost fall asleep on public transportation coming in because of the sound of rain on the roof. All you want to be is home under a blanket, wearing sweats, and taking a nap. Rain is good for the trees and such, but I think I enjoy the rain because it is part of nature’s transition. Helps get ready for either growth,or cleaning up for the next season. You can take a moment and salute the past seasons of your life, but now,the season is getting ready for Nature ,taking a nap and waking up all green and blooming in the spring. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy living in the mid-Atlantic states. Seasons are a great barometer of life.

I’m ready-bring it on.