It's All About Me

Not something I say much, not my style.

My infrequent posts and visits to all of you has been bothering me. I value our connections and always feel "schmucky" when I don't check in on youse guys.

I just don't feel well.

I am constantly uncomfortable, sometimes in pain. It makes me grumpy and worse, it makes it really hard to focus for very long. I lose my train of thought and ...

What was I saying?

Oh yeah - I feel like shit on a shingle. One of my Mom's favorite sayings.

I keep getting mystery infections. By the time they figure out what the hell is going on I've spent days with a fever, falling asleep every 2 hours.

Like a newborn.

The problems at home have gotten so toxic that I have started to look for a place of my own. Lots of luck on that front. Hurricane Sandy has contributed to a huge shortage of affordable housing in all of the counties I'd like to live in.

I hesitate to discuss my relationship with my daughter-in-law out of respect and love for Hope. I'm just going to say that it is impossible for us to exist in the same zip code let alone the same building - doesn't matter how big this freakin' house is. 

I can't contribute to this household on my disability income the way I did when I was working. That appears to be a punishable offense.

Anyhoo - I feel like I've already said too much and that I'm whining. Neither is attractive.

I think I'll try to post more on  The Photo Blog  and I will do my best to visit.

Be kind to one another - you have no idea how important that is.

Happy Mother's Day

Surprise !!

My son Jeffrey will be 40 next week, to be sure of surprising him my daughter-in-law threw a surprise party for him this past Saturday at my brother's house in Brooklyn. Jeffrey thought he was going there to celebrate my niece's engagement.

A few of the party goers practice hiding in the corner. My baby bro shows us how hot the sun is when "be there in 10 minutes" turns into more than a half hour

Finally, from the other side of the house, birthday boy and his best girl arrive. 

Lots of hugging

Lots of laughter from his friends

Once she got over the shock of a crowd of people yelling surprise at her and Daddy, Hope had a great time with her friends

Corn-on-the-cob was a big hit

Until cake came along. Dad got the first slice and then there was some discussion about who got the corner flowers. Hope wasn't happy for a moment but then everyone shared. 

A toast to the birthday boy

Me and my sweeties

Happy Birthday to a good son, a good Dad, and a good guy

At The Lake

You can sit on our bench, just push all the fishing stuff over - the little boy tells me

I thank him and sit and watch them for a bit.

My name is Robert
Nice to meet you Robert, I'm Dianne
He points toward the older gentleman - That's Grandpa
Grandpa nods and smiles

I know a lot about fishing, Grandpa teaches me things
You're lucky. I bet he's a good teacher.
He is but we never catch anything. It's just a thing to do while we talk.
I ask what they talk about

All the important things 

Exhausted Cats

Maybe it's spring fever. Maybe they can understand the late news and are as distressed as the rest of us. 

Whatever the reason, Siren and Isadora have spent the past few nights/early mornings rampaging.

They run the length of the hall at warp speed.

They knock over their water bowl and dance - yes, dance - in the puddles.

Isadora tries to get under the area rug; it's heavy and rubber matted underneath so when she fails she scratches at it as though she were digging her way out of an underground bunker. Siren enjoys watching this. He doesn't help, just watches.

I know it's coming to an end when they chase each other around the backs of the sofa and love seat. They weave in and out, intentionally not catching each other. It's just the chase that matters.

Then it's time to rest up for breakfast.

Isadora uses the last of her energy to settle into the clothes hamper.

Siren curls up in one of their homes.

Have a safe and happy weekend everybody.
My thoughts are with everyone in and near Boston.

Jonathan Winters

We've lost a giant of comedy. A master of improvisation.

On the Jack Parr show Jonathan was given a stick and within seconds he had created 10 characters.

He became known to my son's generation through his work on 'Mork and Mindy' and his voice work on 'The Smurfs'

There wasn't an emotion he couldn't convey.

I was in the kitchen washing dishes and listening to my son's laughter fill the house. He was about 7 and was having a rough time - his father hadn't called him in weeks and he had just been told he needed to wear glasses.

The sound of his laughter was so good to hear.
"You watching Mork and Mindy?"
"Yea Ma"
"Mork always makes you laugh"
"It's the chubby guy Ma, he's so funny. I want to hug him"

Thank You Jonathan

Peaceful Journey

Park Restoration

It isn't just the shore that suffered from Sandy and all the storms since Sandy. Many parks are just now in the process of recovering.

Holmdel Park in NJ is one example.

The most damaged areas are fenced off and declared 'restoration areas' - that's what the blue sign says. The other sign asks visitors not to feed the wildlife - everything they need is available for them and being fed human food upsets the organic cycle. 

 At the farm trucks and tractors are bringing in supplies to restore the pastures and re-build the barns and coops

I couldn't get closer to the farm due to all the work being done. All the animals were cared for during the storms by being moved to the stronger buildings or by being boarded at other farms. Someone told me that farm volunteers stayed with the animals throughout the storms.

A staggering number of trees have been lost

This loss makes me ever more adamant that property owners NOT be allowed to cut down trees without a permit from a conservation minded township committee. I can't begin to tell you how hated popular this makes me at town hall.

Sorry but I don't think a giant tree that has shaded us and cleaned our air for decades should be killed so that you can widen your driveway enabling your fat ass to walk even less.

Anyhoo - the "big hill" area is well on its way to being healthier.

Huge thanks to all those who volunteer their time and donate their money to help the small staff of park rangers and caretakers.

NATURE NOTES

Our World Tuesday