December 7th 1941 Dad's story

I asked Dad what he was doing on this day December 7, 1941 and he said he was laying in bed it was early Sunday morning and had been working in Philadelphia in a funeral home working towards his degree as a Funeral Director. He had turned the radio on and heard the news- shortly after that terrible day he was drafted within that next year. He did his basic training outside of Philadelphia for six weeks then he was stationed on the docks in Baltimore. Finally, he did get his orders to go to the Philippine Islands where he was setting up telephone wires he worked in the area where people answered the Telephone he was a switchboard operator. Because his eyesight was poor, he was classified as a noncombat Army soldier. He also told a story about the time in Baltimore when he was to be guarding a warehouse unfortunately for him he fell asleep on his watch. For this watch he was given a rifle although he was never trained to shoot a gun. As the night went on, he fell asleep and as a matter of course while his Sergeant was making his rounds he happened upon my Dad and seeing he was asleep he took, his gun. The Sergeant then roused Dad -who was petrified. He should have been in big trouble first for sleeping on duty and then for losing his fire arm but it turned out that the Sergeant was teaching Dad a lesson did not press any charges and they remained friends going on to serve together on the Philippine Islands.

RELAXATION

I have recently realized, after about 27 years, that I can no longer become completely relaxed. Following my accident and due to my dependence on medication that restricts my ability to enjoy a cocktail or exercise to the point of releasing endorphins. I am always on edge on a scale of 1-10 ten being the worst pain you have ever felt, I am living between a 5 on a good day and 7 ½ to 10 varying on my pain threshold on any given day. I am like a car idling at a stop sign I never ever completely relax ever, it is very difficult. I don't know why I didn't think about this before but imagine never being able to relax what would this do to a person's body. Experts say the having a chronic illness will take ten years off your life span. I just want to unwind – rest - be calm - become slack - just melt into a chair, close my eyes and just let go but I can’t because I have CHRONIC PAIN.

Jenni was at this "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me"

My Favorite Chef

Watch Quiche Lorraine on PBS. See more from The French Chef.

Gary gets Award

At Homecoming  of Lycoming College Gary won the Dale V Bower Service Award. The Award was presented to Gary by Jim Burget who was the Best Man at our Wedding and a Theta Chi brother.

Protect Eagles Mere Video

The final video of Jenni's Ironman

Dad's 92nd birthday

We gathered a Carl's to celebrate Dad's 92nd birthday we are so grateful that we still have Dad here to celebrate his special day. Unfortunately it was a small party and I don't know how much Dad was able to hear what was going on around him.because of his deafness. We ate a delicious yellow cake with chocolate icing. Molly Carl's dog was full of energy but  so cute. We were informed that she won the GOLD star for obedience at Puppy training class but she does not take her skills home. Molly is following in Georgia's shoes raising heck and eating the house one piece at a time.
The sad news we have is the our cousin Brian Helwig died this past week. We found this out by checking FaceBook the whole story is not been online but we are very sorry to hear such devastating news.
Gary and I are heading out to Wisconsin because Jenni is running an IRONMAN! I will have a post after Jenni has finished.

A Fun Video

Liz has no power

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-201_162-57464392/at-least-13-deaths-blamed-on-eastern-u.s-storms/?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.1

Health Care for all

Hip hip hooray

Finally, the country has health care! The country has been waiting since 1945 when President Roosevelt tried to get something passed that turned into Social Security then President Johnson tried again, which became Medicare both programs were strongly opposed at the time of inception but are now accepted as normal. This Supreme Court decision could change our country forever. Of course the Republicans are jumping up and down protesting- “how can a government force us as a nation of free people to do something we don’t want to do.” Unfortunately, we have laws, regulations, and taxes that all the people in this land must follow or be subject to a penalty. I do fear government control- an example is to get a job at the Susquehanna Health System you cannot smoke. What will be next companies or our government going after overweight people?  Many people that do not smoke say why should I pay for “smokers” health problems when they can stop.  Behavior vs. rights is a very slippery slope and I am sure this decision will not be the final word. Mayor Blumberg has shown he cannot leave well enough alone picking how much soda a person should drink. I have lived long enough to see that we were all doing well until the food industry and the government came up with “low fat” products, now we are fatter than ever before.

Our society is much better off with people not smoking which was done by many things however telling people that you can’t smoke if you want to get a job has gone too far. Just as I feel making everyone have Health Insurance is going to make us a much healthier society (also people should not have to go through Bankruptcy because they do not have health care) so it will make us a stronger nation. This entire situation is a true conundrum. I am hoping for the best that we all get health care coverage, people don’t abuse the privilege, and we go on to fix the other problems that plague the people living on this planet.

An update

It has been far too long since I have added to my Blog. It is now almost July I think what held me up was my Dental surgery. Wow was I not prepared for what I got! I knew that I would have pain because I have severe pain when I get my teeth cleaned and have put off having this surgery for over 3 years. However I have since read online that they compare this surgery to CHILD BIRTH are you kidding me how did I not know this. Well it is over and I will never have it again. My gums have receded because of all the medication I am on I need to have my bridge replaced. Just an update my bridge is from when I was sophomore in high school and during the summer swimming at the country club pool I dove in and smacked my mouth on the bottom of the pool and that was all she wrote.  I have recovered from the surgery my teeth are still a little tender but I am healed so now I can restart my life. I was unable to eat, walk, and even talk but I soldier on.

So much has happened. Dad no longer has his license and we got him new shoes plus Carl took him to the doctor to get the wax out of his ears. We all were screaming louder than usual for him to hear us. Brian graduated from Grad school with his MFA in Art and he won the Faculty Award from his school. Gary and I are so proud of him. Jenni is continuing to train for her Iron Man that she will be running in the Fall. What can I say about this except “Jenni Jenni Jenni”? We are very happy about her activity but why does she have to push herself so far.

Next on the home front is that Lauren is engaged the wedding will take place several years from now.  I think Brian will be a wonderful addition to the family and he wants to come closer to home so hopefully we will see their family grow. I hate that everyone is so far away from each other. Metta is living in New York City, Brian S we have to come up with a name for Lauren’s Brian Jenni suggested Doc, which I have thrown into the family for approval.

This is all I can think of now hopefully I will not wait so long to post the next post.

Space Pictures This Week: Venus Transit, Shuttle Trek, More

Space Pictures This Week: Venus Transit, Shuttle Trek, More

My 61st Birthday Day

My Birthday Day has come and gone. Saturday most of my family was in town because Metta was graduating from Ithaca College on Sunday so I offered my house for everyone to gather. What I didn’t count on was getting my teeth done the Wednesday before and boy am I sore. Everyone pitched in and made the day much easier for me. Gary had gone to Philly to help Brian clean out his studio then he drove home arriving around 7pm. everyone seemed to have a wonderful time it was heartwarming to hear the house filled with chatterer family members cancelled their scheduled plans to come to the house and be with family. Mom would be proud. Liz gave me my birthday present, which included a hand knit fire engine red scarf and mitten along with some other lovely gifts. Liz was told by her instructor that she had the spirit of an experienced knitter – it showed in the workmanship of the scarf!

I had to but off getting, an iphone because of the monthly fee so I am exploring selling some stuff on eBay only time will tell. Brian had given me the picture of Tokyo Crouse it is beautiful and hanging on the wall as you go up the stair. Gary and Jenni gave me an Audible Book from the series I love to read. Gary and I were to go out for dinner but I couldn’t chew and then we planned to go out to Eder’s for ice-cream but it was overcast and cold. I am still looking into Gary’s present luckily; I have time until the 24^th

From Farming to Fracking

Happy Mother's

Happy Mother's Day Mom...I miss you

My feelings today

A day without sunshine that I so desparitely crave

Clouds just waiting to unburden their lot

 A breeze makes me want to stay inside

Looking for the light that will get me through the day

 Unfortunately, this forecast is to continue throughout the week

 My muscles will ache and my spirit drop while waiting for the SUN to

reemerge

Brian's One Man Show

An article put out by "theartblog" by Ben Meyer is reporting on Brian's One Man Show in Philadelphia.

Can’t Find My Way Home: Brian Spies on fracking at the Hex Factory
By ben meyer April 30, 2012 · 3 Comments

Brian Spies’ installation piece “Can’t Find My Way Home,” on display through May 31 at The Hex Factory in Fishtown, is a full-throated artistic roar against the insanity of “hydro-fracking,” the groundwater-polluting, ecosystem-destroying domestic oil-drilling technology currently in use in Pennsylvania and across the country. The exhibition combines Spies’ black-and-white photography of Dimock, PA, described by Spies as an “epicenter for the debate about ‘fracking,’” with photocopied print-outs of news articles about the situation in Dimock upon which Spies has written his comments, corrections and criticism.

http://www.theartblog.org/2012/04/cant-find-my-way-home-brian-spies-on-fracking-at-the-hex-factory/

This Dog is so cute

This week

Not much happening this week. I went to the Doctor's with Dad and by chance helped him purchase a pair of shoes. Right next door to the doctors there is Dice Surgical and in there a man named Frank Puglese works one day a week selling shoes. Mr Puglese is a man that has worked in several different shoes stores and is retired for the most part but is the man who Dad trust to sell him shoes. We had been trying to get Dad new shoes for over 5 years so that Mr P was working in Dice the day Dad had an appointment is remarkable to me...now Brian has told me that there are no such thing as a coincidence it is still very odd to me. Dad had to have an echo of his heart and he response to that was, "I am dying so why do I have to have the test".
We are working on getting the new floor in our kitchen, Gary went out and purchased the stain that we need for the molding. It is going to cost $500 dollars just for the molding so we are going to stain plain wood ourselves...WOW how do normal people afford redoing their house. Making homemade spaghetti sauce, moving two bushes, and laying mulch in the garden is tomorrows to do list.

Mom we Love you.

It has been five years since Mom died. We miss you Mom. The years have been long but because of all the things she taught us. I take one day at a time which was Mom's mantra. You would be so proud of us we have carried on with you in your heart.

Think about it.

http://brianjamesspies.com/section/291650_Can_t_Find_My_Way_Home.html

This is a preview of Brian's show that we are going to Philadelphia on Friday to partake in his FIRST ONE MAN SHOW! So please click or paste the above web site into your header and view his show. I wish everyone could be there to support Brian but we realize that is difficult so click and see what he has been researching, taking pictures and mounting. The show has no agendas is it good or bad... we need fuel wish we didn't but we do and what the OIL Fracking is doing to our landscape is sad but that is what this show is all about ...IT MAKES YOU THINK.

APRIL FOOL'S

People please listen

Volcker: Wall St. changing, but not very rapidly

Paul Volcker was the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board from 1979 to 1987, and he's been an advisor to President Obama. With America's economy still unsettled, Chairman Volcker sat down just a few days ago with Anthony Mason for a Q&A:

In his office in New York's Rockefeller Center, Paul Volcker fills the hallway. He is a towering figure, both in height (he is 6'8") and in reputation. He spent eight years as Chairman of the Federal Reserve.

And these days he is casting a giant shadow over Wall Street.

He says he believes the culture on Wall Street has to change.

In the aftermath of the financial crisis, Volcker has led an outspoken campaign to curb greed and speculation. His concern, he says, is for the health of the banking system.

For nearly two years, the 84-year-old economist chaired President Obama's Economic Recovery Advisory Board, helping to shape the president's banking reforms...

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57404090/volcker-wall-st-changing-but-not-very-rapidly/?tag=cbsnewsTwoColUpperPromoArea

why don't the people listen....

Happy Birthday Brian

Your birthday started at 7:30 am: I had just gotten out of bed and my water broke by this time I was 2weeks late. I was over the moon ready to meet you. I dressed and we arrived at the hospital at 8:30am where a nurse took your father and me to the 5th floor, which was Maternity at DPH. The nurse asked me if I was having  contractions - I lied telling her that I was well on my way  I because I didn’t want to go home. The morning was relatively quiet, we had spent the last week walking around Grammies neighborhood, then going over railroad tracks and going on bumpy roads trying to get you to deliver. We had been out the night before at the movies watching “The China Syndrome” then we stopped into the Villa for a drink, which I am sure, was soda for me. Around noon Dr Georgie came in and examined me he said it would be several more hours and that he was heading over to Williamsport Hospital but by the time he finished his rounds and made it to the hospital exit the nurses were calling him back. In fewer than fifteen minutes, I went from relaxing to needing to push.  Now I was talking to your Dad saying, “I can’t take anymore of this pain” at the same time grabbing the green doctor’s scrub shirt, he was wearing. Just rocking back and forth pulling on Dad and repeating, “I can’t take it…” At that time, I was offered and given a Demerol shot. The delivery after the severe pushing relaxed was much easier; the nurse asked if I would be naming you Patrick. He knew something I didn’t which was that you had been born on St. Patrick’s Day.

A very Happy Birthday to my best and favorite son BRIAN my 6'8" Irishman with an Italian Twist

Being an Artist

So proud of Brian... Huffington Post put out a call for Artist to "The Moment I Knew I Wanted To Become An Artist (SUBMIT YOUR VIDEO) " so Brian being the vigilant web watcher he posted his thoughts so now we will have his thoughts for eternity or this site shuts down.
here is the site for the entire story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/03/05/the-moment-i-knew_n_1321893.html

Brian first show

I am so proud of Brian. He will be having a show in April and I hope it will be the first of many shows featuring his work!

Leap Year - see you in four years

Today is February 29, 2012-

I didn’t want another year to go past without me acknowledging the date. I don’t remember ever writing the Leap Day date anywhere be it on a check or nurse’s notes I just have no knowledge of saying “well it is a Leap Year and let’s say woo-who". Well this year I am stating it is a Leap Year and I am glad to be here to celebrate it.

Tourette Syndrome and the Federal Government

The following statement is one that I will me submitting to "You Can Help Promote Federal Legislation for Tourette Syndrome"
let me know what you think
‏

I do not know where to begin but because there are so many persons affected by Tourette Syndrome, I will try to explain my predicament. My son who is 32 years old is where my story begins. From a very early time, we sought help with our son, when he was 2 years old we discussed his behavior with a Child Psychologist and were given the diagnosis of “stormy personality.” We were told we would have to learn to live with his disruptive behavior and his other odd symptoms. Later we sought out several different Therapists to help us understand and to help our son with his struggles.  However we never got a diagnosis we were just placated so they could get us out of the office. At the age of 9 years, I turned to a doctor that dealt with allergies. I was told by this doctor that “if Mother thinks there is something wrong” we will do some testing. We suffered years of stress and aggravations with our son still struggling through his childhood building memories that continue to haunt him. His childhood was filled with sorrow and confusion, which has led to chronic depression. He was unable to leave home until he was 28 years old. At the time, very few Doctors had the expertise to diagnose or assist us to understand my son’s behavior. I knew throughout my son’s life that he was not a normal child but because of the lack of education of doctors, nurses, therapist, teachers, and others that should be trained in the Signs & Symptoms of Tourette Syndrome, my son did not receive the diagnosis in a timely manner. He is still working through the trauma of growing up without a diagnosis. When my son turned 10 years old, his tics and vocalizations became so severe that our Pediatrician finally gave us the diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome. Unfortunately, there was very little information published dealing with T.S.; I went to a local college and hospital medical library to obtain information so that I could understand and finally begin to help my son. I only found a copy of a Magazine article that vaguely described T.S. What did change my life was while visiting his first Physician – a child Neurologist I discovered a 3x5 card with the phone number of our State Tourette Syndrome Association. Finally, after 10 years of unyielding struggles I found someone that understood my son and why he was doing what he did. Education was and still is the MAJOR core idea of this association (Pennsylvania Tourette Syndrome Alliance). As I said, my son is 32 years old and still struggles with T.S. but because of the assistance of all the organizations that care for children and adults BLAST, PARENT to PARENT, Center for Disability Services and others that now exist our journey has been made easier. However, we need to grow and advance in the field of medicine that deals with the Tourette patient as a whole. We cannot have a narrow vision- seeing only “a cure” for Tourette Syndrome or honing our skills on finding the “Gene” so we can eliminate those with “the Gene” from ever being born.

My son’s needs are going to continue, his Tourette Syndrome will last a lifetime. Sadly, both my son and daughter are very reluctant to have any children of their own because of the experience we had obtaining help for our son’s medical and psychological care. What does that say about our society that our children fear what should be the greatest joy of a person’s life. I must add that my son has stated he knows that Tourette Syndrome has made him the person he has become. He is an artist; he uses his art to express his inner demons.

What I want is a system that strives to have early diagnosis, Doctors, and counselors to aid the family so everyone can understand why the child behaves in a specific manner.  A way to educate those who will come in contact with those that are given the Tourette Syndrome diagnosis- family, teachers, other children, health care workers, law enforcement and so on. Diagnosis, education, and treatment for those that desire help.

If only I could hear it said...

Mom's Story on the Yellow Pad

The following story was found by the family after Mom died almost five years ago. The family noticed a yellow legal pad with some writing on it but it was lost until recently when Mary Ann discovered she had put it in a desk drawer in her home. I do have hours of  video recordings dealing with Mom's life story but the information in the following story is new data never discussed anyone else in the family so read and enjoy. Sadly it is still unfinished.

A Story Begun but Never Finished

"Catherine Maloney came to Philadelphia in 1888 at age 16.  She left her mother and father behind in a small village in County Galway, Ireland.  Her father was a boot maker.  It is not known whether there were other children at home.  She had one sister, Cecelia, who had come to America some years before.  Cecelia was already an apprentice to a dressmaker and it was easy to place “Kate” in the same position. Sometime later, Kate found a position as nursemaid for the children of the wealthy Pew family of Philadelphia.  She spent several years with them, going to Bar Harbor, Maine for the summers and spending the winter in Philadelphia.

     Kate met and married John Lynch in Philadelphia early in 1893.  Very little is known of the Lynch’s except that they also came from Galway some years earlier.  The family had a thriving business in the Grower’s Market which John ran for the family.  He had a sister, Margaret and several others who had died quite young of tuberculosis.   They settled into a nice home and were very happy.  Their first son, William, died in 1896.  Daughter Marie was born in 1897 and Anna Elizabeth in 1899. John Lynch contracted tuberculosis in 1896 and died December 31, 1898.  Anna was born January 17, 1899. 

     John Lynch had left them with a home and some income.  He had belonged to a men’s club called “The 6:30 Club” so named that because they met at 6:30 pm.  Apparently he had many friends, one of them, George Martin, called on Kate and within a very short time they married.  He was a supervisor with the Philadelphia Transit Company.  They had six children; Edna, George, Edward, Herbert, Catherine and Alice.  A close family, Kate was more likely to stay at home.  The older daughters had the responsibility of the younger ones.  Friends played a big part in their life.  They worked hard but they were full of fun.  Because of her experience with the Pew family, Kate set a fine table, the children watched their manners because Kate was behind them with a ruler.  George was her favorite and according to stories, was given the choice foods.  Father George adored Kate.  He was a gentle man and Kate ran the show.  We must remember that life was hard, no electricity, no running water, privies, or out houses, horse and buggy, cold houses, no refrigeration.  You made your own clothes, bought bread at a bakery, milk by the pitcher beer bought by the jug.  Clothes were washed by hand with water heated on the coal stove.  Baths were once a week and hair was washed once a month.  Women’s hair was long and it was a chore just to dry it.

     After some school, finishing was not required, so the children all went to work.  Most in the department stores.  Marie was first to marry.  Edward McBrearty was her choice.  A plasterer by trade.  They had four children, Edward, Marie, Theresa and Jackie.  Anna, meanwhile, was hit by a truck.  She suffered a broken back and was in bed for three years.  There was a cash settlement but when Anna claimed it, Kate gave her a few hundred dollars and took the rest to buy a piano for Catherine.  Major blow!  Kate reasoned that she had kept her and was entitled to room and board!  Anna suffered most of her life.  Her face was scarred and for that reason she wore her hair in a “dip” over her right eye.  She met and married Donald McKernan. 

     Very little is known of his family.  His father, Thomas, came from Northern Ireland with his family about the time that Kate came over.  Donald’s mother, Ellen Donnelly lived in Conshohocken a small town outside of Philadelphia proper.  Her family had been here for at least one generation as she was born here.  She had two sisters, Catherine and Elizabeth and two half sisters, Margaret and Mary.  Of the five, only two married, Ellen and Kate.  Thomas and Ellen had two businesses  a plumbing company and a candy store.  They were quite prosperous.  His brother, Mike, had a seat on the Philadelphia stock exchange.  The family lost a substantial amount of money in the crash of 1929.  The children of Thomas and Ellen all finished high school.  All played a musical instrument.  Donald, the violin, Thomas, trumpet, Eleanor, piano.  All were bright.  Thomas played trumpet with Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra for many years when he was young. 

     In this family alcoholism reared its ugly head.  Eleanor and Thomas and also the father.  There was no history of this illness in the mother’s family nor in the family of Anna.  Donald’s family was not a close one.  Ellen died in 1925 of cancer after a long illness.  Thomas died in 1945 at age 79.  His mother lived to be 95. I never saw her.  Eleanor and Donald were two people born to fight with each other.  She lived with her father in S. Philadelphia home left to the children by their mother.  She never married but did have a “companion” Jack Leonard who was a “ne’er do well” and did have a job.  Brother Thomas married and had 3 daughters.  He died in 1964 of alcoholism. The daughter of Kate Donnelly Eschback are still living in  Philadelphia as is their brother..  His son is a a Monsignor in the Catholic church in Philadelphia.  Whether Eleanor is still living is not known.

     Anna and Donald were married in 1924 at a fine wedding and started life in an apartment in Philadelphia.  He was a sales manager for a vacuum cleaner company.  Their first child, a daughter, Regina was born in 1925.  A son, Donald was born in 1927.  It would appear that for the first few years they were comfortable.  In 1929 the stock market crashed and with it any hope of a future for a great many people.  Jobs were hard to get and to keep.  Men took what they could get.  Donald took a job traveling.  Ann Claire was born in 1929 and Robert in 1932.  Life was not easy.  Feeding, clothing four children proved difficult.  Many times between 1930 and 1942 we moved back to the family home.  This was very embarrassing to Anna.  She had her pride.  But the reasoning was that rather than pile up debts for rent they would go back to the home that really belonged to Donald and the others.  We lived very simply, when in our own home, we always lived nice places, descent neighborhoods.  We all loved the outdoors.  Anna’s family stayed close and with a few close friends that constituted our social life.  We had many cousins and spent a great deal of time with them.  

     Edna married a Samuel Wayman and they had two children, Joan and Samuel.  He was also a traveling salesman.  He made a good living at it but was also an alcoholic.  This trait later showed up in the daughter Joan.  Edward married young and was soon divorced.  The only divorce the family experienced.  He later moved to California and married a Jewish woman and turned to Judaism.  Herbrert married young, to a real “flake” named Laura.  She proceeded to make his life miserable. Catherine died in 1941 of pneumonia at age 29 due to a heart condition.  Alice also married young.  Alice who they all loved.  She is living yet and has the same sunny disposition she always had.  She married a man who later became a fire fighter.  They had three sons.  William, Raymond and ?.  Raymond lives in Ohio owning his own franchise for Otis Elevators.  Bill works in Washington and travels all over the world.  George married a fine woman, Dot, they had four children, Katherine, George, Miriam and Dotty.  After George Martin died Kate sold their home and moved in with George.

     Herbert and Edward died in 1988 as did Edna.  Edna’s daughter, Joan moved to California after the death of her first husband in a fiery crash of his plane in a Navy show.  He left three children.  Joan remarried twice after that and turned to alcohol.  She died in 1987 at the age of 57.   Sam moved to Whitefish Montana.  He married a wealthy woman.  He is a stock broker.

     Anna’s sister, Marie, died in 1965.  She as a severe diabetic and also had an alcohol problem.  She was the only one in the family.  Her daughter, Theresa died of complications of child birth at age 25.  Her oldest son, Edward has been in ill health for years.  Daughter Marie, unlike her brother Edward, enjoys good health.  Son John is a practicing clinical psychologist , Ph.D. in Philadelphia.  They all kept in touch during the years even though they were at great distances from one another.

     Anna and Donald moved from Philadelphia in 1942 to Williamsport, where he managed a furniture store.  There had been previous moves also to Harrisburg where their fifth child, Richard was born and then back to Philadelphia  and then to Williamsport.   Donald became active in Catholic affairs, joined the Rotary Club and otherwise enjoyed the community.  Regina graduated from high school and went to work. Donald graduated two years later and in 1946 he joined the US Marine Corps.  He served several years then came home and went to Lycoming College.  Ann Clare went to work after high school.  Bob went also to Lycoming College.  Richard went to Penn State. 

     Meanwhile, Williamsport was built along the Susquehanna River and was subject of floods.  In 1945, after a torrential downpour the water came over the dike and all of downtown was under water.  The store Donald managed was so badly damaged they had to relocate.  He developed arthritis in his hands and feet.  He believed the flood waters and the work involved in moving the store was the cause.  At any rate, his condition worsened.  The store failed and he was again looking for work.  He was hired after many  months by a local printing company as a salesman.  It was on one on the trips out of town that he slipped and broke a hip.  From that time on with the arthritis and the broken hip he was retired. 

     Meanwhile Regina met Vincent Crouse in 1946.  They were engaged in October of 1947 and married in March of 1948.  Vincent’s family was in the funeral business and when he returned from WWII he joined his brother in the business.  They had seven children. Donald, upon graduating from college went for a brief time to work for DuPont in Delaware but he had met Jean Wetzel.   Her father was a realtor and so after their marriage he joined him in his business.  Ann Clare married Francis Paris.  He was not yet finished with college but did join NCR after he graduated.

      Donald’s condition worsened and he was no longer able to work.  Their home needed care and they were unable to care for it.  Vince…."

A Snowy Monday Morning

It is in the wee hours of Monday morning the 23rd of January. There is a gentle snow falling outside with a recording of a roaring fire in our fireplace on the TV screen, I am trying to convince my mind to stop racing so that I can fall asleep. It has been many months since my last post… I sound like I am in the confessional. The fall came and went with very little fuss as I remember so we then slid into Christmas. I faced this holiday season with some trepidation: Brian had been diagnosed with Celiac Disease and Jenni had broken up with Nick after dating for a year. Jenni thought that this holiday season would be a perfect time to join Jenny Craig, which is a strict diet plan. Both situations meant some extra planning on my part but that is all part of being a Mother. Of course, Georgia would be joining us for Christmas again this year along with my Dad and after a very long absence my sister Liz. I was delighted that everyone would be together; Georgia at the age of three years was very much improved over past years. Last year she cried for over six hour’s non-stop it was maddening. This year she found a spot in the bedroom and made herself comfortable without bothering anyone. The addition of Liz was a delight she brought back the feeling of the years before Mom died so she was a very welcomed bonus. This year was the best Christmas I have experienced in over four years, my life seems to be divided into before and then after Mom died. We all spent Christmas day at Carl’s house it is where the rest of the in-town Crouse family came together for our family celebration. The day after Christmas, we went to New Jersey to spend some time with Gary’s side of the family.

There has been some family news: Jeff  Spies passed the New York Bar- I think that it is one of the most difficult Bar to pass in the Country so thumbs up to him next Jessica is the first Grand-child to be engaged to be married. The wedding is to take place in Pittsburg in the beginning of September. I am very excited; this wedding will be a joyful celebration and a welcome diversion. Mom would have just been ecstatic, she always loved a party. My only stumbling block is that Gary has a football game scheduled for the same day, as Jessica’s wedding. He said that there are only five home games and he does not want to miss one.

Liz told me that Eric, (Ph.D., vice president for behavioral health services)

recently got a promotion at work, I am unclear what his new position is and I was unable to find any articles on the Web- however congrats to Eric for his promotion!

Gary has spent the entire fall and now into February redoing the basement. The floor is painted a very nice “Sedona” orange- not sure if that is a color but that is what the color reminds me of. He is also trying to put the bathroom back together, wainscoting paneling with carpeting on the floor of the bathroom and laundry room. Gary ran into the same problem he had over thirty-five years ago. While laying carpeting in his last bachelor pad he measured backward and he repeated the same mistake. I thought of this misstep but I kept my mouth shut… oh well we laughed about it.

Brian and Jenni have been very busy in the New Year. Brian is having a One-man Show in April, which is a very, very, big deal. The show will be featuring his work on Fracking, which is occurring all over Pennsylvania. Fracking deals with taking gas out of the bedrock; this process is a very environmentally destructive process.

He has been very active in student activities at PAFA, the Buddhist Center, making some money doing portfolios for the graduating students and he will be holding a seminar teaching the photography of “portfolios” to fellow students. Jenni has begun her training for the “Iron Man” which will be held this coming September in Madison Wisconsin. Gary and I will be in Madison to cheer her on- I cannot wrap my head around running a race for over fifteen hours: swimming, biking, and then a marathon. How can people push themselves to that degree…? I am speechless. Jenni is so excited and I want to be excited but I just cannot understand.

I myself am still struggling with my own demons. I get so mad inside. I just want to take a pill that would make me happy and content. I sit in this chair day after day. I have been working on a piece I hope to post soon so I will hold my tongue until I can express my feeling in a more concise manner.