She's Back

I am pleased that my sister and her family are moving from Michigan back to the east coast. Her husbands engineering jobs have moved them from NJ to Boston, Cleveland, Michigan and now NY. They are having a house built in a small town a hour from NYC. The best news is that she'll be close enough for a weekend visit now and then. We usually get together for holidays and then it's always with family. On Friday afternoon we had sandwiches at Billy's, laughed and talked, just the two of us. It seems like forever that we'd spent time together without children, parents and husbands. She is usually very shy around new people. I guess I didn't know how funny she can be, in her own way.
Getting settled into another new home will not be easy for them; a new school for my 7 year old niece, new friends, etc. I for one cannot wait till they are settled in. She already making plans for us to go to NYC to see "Wicked." Welcome back kiddo!

Top Ten albums

My top ten classic albums: (Although I could easily name twenty)
10. Harry Chapin-Gold Medal Collection
9. Queen-Night at the Opera
8. Bowie-Ziggy Stardust
7. Carole King-Tapestry
6. CSNY-So Far
5. Phantom of the Opera-soundtrack (original version)
4. D.Henley-End of the Innocense
3. Springsteen-Born to Run
2. Eagles-When Hell Freezes Over
1. Springsteen-Live in NYC

Honorable Mentions:

Bowie-Station to Station/Young Americans
Al Jerreau-Breaking Away
Elton John-Goodby Yellow Brick Road
James Taylor Greatest Hits. Vol. 1
Springsteen-The River
Josh Groban
Jim Brickman-Simple Things

Is it safe?

Sometime ago I'd renamed the local paper the "-------- crimes journal." I've not been totally oblivious to the decline in my area. The once quiet little Italian neighborhood that I moved into is apparently no more. My little area of Paradise is reported the be the highest crime area in all of NJ. Not only the county, but the town I live in? Go figure. Violent crimes especially domestic violence is double that of the rest of the five surrounding cities. We have almost doubled Camden's crime rate. Until reading yesterday's newspaper my only concern was about the children playing in and near the street where young men drag race their small cars. Little cars sound big laden with glass packs and window rattling sound systems. Before the security alarm and iron gates are added to the windows I have a few things to say. This used to be a beautiful little town with 18th century architecture line the mile long main street. It was a treat when Mom took me to shop for the best gowns & prom dresses. Its a place where antique cars still parade down the "avenue."Just one year ago this was reported to be one of the best places to live due to low taxes and plenty of open space. I believe the town could be as beautiful as Haddonfield or Morristown if those in power were not so resistant to change. There is not one coffee shop, let alone a tea house.
A beautifully landcaped yard was something that I'd dreamed of having and gardening gives me a outlet to be creative. In the backyard it's hard to imagine all bad press about Bine Land. Leaving will be hard to adjust to, like a child leaving home. So on this beautiful summer weekend we are working on the punch list with a "for sale" sign in mind when we should be minding the summer skies. I am going to have to adjust to a change that was not in the plans, but life is like that sometimes. Despite the razzing I take this is still a beautiful place to live!

Thanks

Wow thank goodness for the rain last evening it's safe to go outdoors. Bubba worked yesterday paving roads and driveways while tractor trailers were melting onn the highway. What's up with that! Don't know how he does it?
Thanks for a good night sleep maybe no one will get hurt today!
Thanks for the news that my sister is now living in New York, maybe I can see her more than the usual holidays.
Thanks for Pax and Freudian Slips who always have something interesting to say and have got me started blogging.
Thanks that I can go to work indoors despite the cooler temperatures. I get so irrugular when I'm tired and overheated.
Thanks that our nephew is now in Germany and not Afghanistan. Thanks to the troops who are doing their duty to protect our country despite the political debates about it all.
Thanks that GWB will not be able to run for president again.
Thanks for the latest book that PAX lent me, it's so intriguing I don't want to put it down.
Thanks to friends who make each other laugh to get through the tough days...you're the best!

I did it again

This will be the summer to remember! I did it again, we went to the Camden waterfront (wiggins park) for the All about the Music festival. On Sunday afternoon everyone was friendly and relaxed especially after laughing at the jokes of Loudon Wainwright III. One bit of advice, jokes about drug dealers on every corner did not go over well with the families that attend such an event. Most eveyone was wearing tie dye as if it were a rite of admittance. The highlight of the afternoon was the Indigo Girls belting out "Closer to Fine" and "I'm in Love with your Ghost." The breeze was crisp across the Delaware and I was drawn to view the sunset over the Philadelphia skyline. It was a very relaxing afternoon and a good was to wind down before returning to our workplaces. Peace and tranquility was the order of the day!

Tales from the Garden

With a small reprieve in the heat I decided to go out early this morning to complete a few gardening chores. At 6:30 a.m. with a quick cup off coffee on the deck it was time to clean up and weed some of the overgrown garden beds at the Parker/O'Reilly home (otherwise known as Bine Weed gardens). O.K. maybe it's not that bad but there were grasses along the driveway that were taller than my car and had a nerve to be in bloom. The annuals are almost all dried out so off to the compost pile they went. After two and a half hours we'd cleaned down the back pathway and across the new picket fence,not bad. Maybe those morning glories will have a chance to bloom. Every new garden structure means new garden beds underneath. We'll need a tractor trailer of mulch delivered. All the container plants were limp and lifeless despite looking more like Longwood a few weeks ago. We managed to clean only what was in line of sight from the dining room windows before the temperatures started to soar. With a mountain of weeds collected I noticed that cars passing by were all looking our way. Was it the rich purple crape myrtle and butterfly bushes they admired, or could they see two garden nuts with dirty hands and knees and wondered what are they doing outdoors while air conditioners ran inside? By 11 am, I'd cleaned the deck and just in time for an unannounced visitor who asked why we didn't answer the phone this morning? About three, no distractions I announced that I was going to read "American Gods" in my favorite deck chair. Before five pages were complete I'd drifted off to sleep but not before Bubba announced that he was planning to buy a pool. Reluctantly, I said OK, if that makes him happy why not, at least there'll be fewer weeds.I hope!

Favorite things...

A few things I really enjoy include:
1. Waking up to the smell of good coffee without the alarm clock.
2. A few minutes of serenity and a beautiful sunrise in the morning.
3. My garden at its best.
4. Walking at the boardwalk and in the surf.
5. An inspirational book or thought provoking film.
6. Outdoor summer concerts (you already know that one).
7. Relaxing on my favorite park bench enjoying nature.
8. New shoes.
9. Reading the creative blogs out there and yours is among them.
10. Spending time laughing with family and friends.

Concert Week

Last Saturday I wrote about some of the adventures at Live 8. Went to Cooper River Park on Monday evening for the Freedom festival. I am not a Joan Jett fan but I must say that the band enjoyed playing as much as the crowd enjoyed her. She really can still rock. This is one of the best venues to watch fireworks. You could see the fireworks from Philly to Collingswood and a few other towns that I don't even know the names of; there were four displays in view.

The event of the week almost never happened due to the rainy weather. Thank God that the rain stopped. The clouds cleared enough to enjoy one of the best singer songwriters today. James Taylor's voice resonated through the Tweeter center and believe me there was not an empty seat or piece of lawn anywhere. The sun tried to come out and just enough to inspire another sunset story (for another time). There were fireworks at the Phillies stadium. Each song was better that the next. There were two encores and although he did not sing "You've Got a Friend," there were plenty around me. It was a night I won't soon forget! Three concerts in a week is a record for me. Usually I go to three concerts all summer if I am lucky! Wow! It's looks as if it's going to be a great summer!

Earth Day Founder

You may not recognize the name Gaylord Nelson more likely you'll remember Earth Day. It was founded in 1970. In 1995, the Wisconsin democarat received the Presidential Medal of Freedom for his environmental efforts from President Clinton. Monday's Inquirer reported his passing and according to W. Meadows, president of the Wilderness Society,"Anyone who cares about the quality of our air, water, and land should be grateful for the life of Gaylord Nelson."

Live 8

WOW! Went to the concert by 9 a.m. We made the acquaintance with Tim from Temple U., Justin, Mike, and Tim's Mom. Tim had arrived at 6:45. His Mom was designated the concert Mom! They shared much more than their space on the lawn with us! You guy rock! There were plenty of beautiful women in the landscape as well. On the other side was a big man that reminded us of a friend from work, GS. Very funny guy who knew how to stir things up! You'll find me in today's Inquirer photo's, left of the monument and near the trees! Very close!

Will Smith was GREAT! I went to see Dave Matthews, Sarah Maclauglin, and Josh Groban. Got "jiggy" with Will and his pal JZ, lots of fun! To my suprise it was Bon Jovi that stuck in my head and all day long I kept singing; "It's my life.... take my hand...we'll make I swear.Oh, Oh, living on a prayer." Dave Matthews was energizing, opening with "Too Much, Dream Girls, and American Baby." A duet between Sarah and Josh was simply blissful.

I hope that this event does what it set out to do. Bring attention to those at the G8 summit next week. Africa needs our help, children should not be dying of starvation and disease in a world where there is enough for all. Every three seconds a child dies...click...click... Did you see the commercial on t.v.? Very powerful in its simplicity! Living on a prayer seems like the mantra of the day, our humanity is being put to a test. Jack Johnson said it best; "We only receive what we demand and if we want hell, than hell is what we'll have."