...new york, new york

Here She is...Lady Liberty. Even after visiting Ellis Island, it is hard for someone like me, who has enjoyed the priveledge and freedom of this land, to imagine what the immigrants went through to get here. One third of the children died before they ever saw Her. Women and children flocked to this country, carrying a few items, sometimes with only the clothes on their backs. Men came in hopes of finding work and sending for their families. The pictures and journals at Ellis Island reflect not only the hardship of their journeys, but the hope and desperation of a new life. I am humbled at the strength and courage of the people who gave up everything they owned to find passage to a new beginning.
Times Square during the day and
Times Square at night. This place just bustles with activity and you can find the best hot dogs here!






















The entire Times Building is surrounded by these wonderful lights. I new I had to have this picture. I couldn't help thinking of the "Three Days of the Condor" scene where Redford threatens to turn his information over the Times...we were right there!

Of course, no trip to NY is complete without seeing Harlem and the Apollo!









This is Engine 54, right on the corner of our street, 48th Street and 8th Avenue. This engine was the second one to respond to the WTC on 9/11. There were 15 of 18 men on duty that day, and all responded. Not one firefighter made it home that night. They have a lovely display of their pictures on the wall (no pictures allowed.) You can see where family members bring little momentos to tack onto the wall. The men who man the station now are so very young. They would no more get back from a call, when another one would come in. They were constantly in and out of the station. Getting out and onto the street was a major accoplishment in my book. I think firefighters in NY are like their brothers all over the country; however, they certainly know the severe consequences of their jobs when they lost 343 men in just a few hours on 9/11. Dedication and pride at its best. Believe it or not, this was the part of the trip, seeing these men respond as often as they did, knowing their history and dedication, which moved me the most.

Fabulous, fabulous, fabulous. I actually thought it was Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons! They had one portion of the play where the Four Seasons made their debut on Bandstand. Overhead, you saw the actual footage of the film, below you saw the actors mimicking the movements exactly in sync. It was awesome!

What's a town without chocolate?

Flowers are the best bargain around and little shops are found on just about every street corner.

Our hotel, a lovely clean building and only a short walk to Times Square.

What a wonderful town!!! We're making plans to return already. I never dreamed I could possibly even like, let alone fall in love with a city. It is an amazing, delightful buffett of people, taxi cabs, hotels, ads, colors, sounds, smells and shopping. The town has more history than one can even imagine. From Lady Liberty, standing in the harbor, to its cornicopia of Broadway shows, it never stops. It is a city of people, people and more people. Over nine million. It has over 40,000 cops (more than the number of troops we have in Afghanistan.) The NYFD answers 300 fire calls a day. Amazing doesn't even begin to describe it.

And I got the answer to a most queried question....Who is buried in Grant's Tomb. Actually, it is General Grant and his wife, Julia.

...on non-bowling

Since we have soooo much free time around here now, Dad and I thought about joining a bowling league. How simple is that? Find a bowling alley and sign up. WRONG. Apparently, no one really wants just two people. You have to find your own group. There was one league for "seniors" on Thursday mornings, but they have already started and we would be four weeks behind. We visited several alleys, including a rather seedy joint in Alliance, but to no avail. On Fridays, Eastbury has a "senior" fun bowling day for only six bucks. We went to check out the crowd, but hey….they were like in their 80s! I’m sure they bowled far better than us, but c’mon! We’re just looking for an "over forty crowd"! (By the way, I beat Dad in both "practice" games we played.) So much for bowling. Maybe Tango dance lessons????

...Mom's little girl

Here you go Lisa...hoping this works for you. We're having a good time, truly! Love her to pieces.

...tripping in Retirement Land

Our first retirement journey went well, we visited our friends in Iowa. (Corn, corn, and yes, more corn!) We managed NOT to kill each other during the 11 hour trip, so I think that is a major accomplishment. Half the fun of traveling is trying new eating experiences. Why eat at Denny’s and Bob Evans when you can enjoy a little local flavor. Lunch the first day of traveling was at a bar in a little off-road town called Utica, Illinois. Downtown consisted of one "main" road, no traffic light, and two huge grain storage buildings. However, we found a bar called "Scoogs Bar and Grill". The plaque over the door proclaimed that this establishment survived the tornado of 1994. Thank goodness! Just a regular local bar, a little dark, long wooden bar and some booths on the side. However, the appetizer of the day, sounded interesting, so, why not? Deep fried pickles! They were awesome! Pickle spears, deep fried and served with a side of ranch dressing. You just kind of dip and eat. The waitress was great, the place friendly and the food delicious! (We passed on Duffy’s Tavern, since it seemed to be the local biker hangout.) (We also passed on Jimmy Johns Sandwiches, since it was in the gas station.)

Iowa found us in the Quad City area, the only place the Mississippi runs east to west…interesting little bit of trivia. (And yes, it is a mighty river!) Dad almost got arrested trying to enter Arsenal Island, a military establishment. This establishment houses the largest house run by the government, next to the White House. But hey, getting lost is half the fun of traveling! And Dad does have that "look", you know! Actually, we were only trying to find the museum, but the guard didn’t have a sense of humor. Thank you, Qa'idat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn. That’s all right, we Americans will muddle through this, just as we always have.

Ahhh…..Did I mention the Riverboats? Yep, three of them, right there in Iowa. I dropped about fifty at each of them, which is actually a good day for me. They were a little disappointing, a little grungy, small, and dirty, but the machines worked!

Lunch on the way home found us at a place called Shoops. If you are ever in Illinois or Indiana, do stop at one of these places. They slap their hamburgers on the grill in round balls, freshly ground and never out of a box. There was a flurry of activity with French Fries and Burgers being tossed from the kitchen into baskets while the waitresses scurried around, shouting out orders. The young grill cook was awesome! The buns are twice the size of a regular hamburger bun and the burger still overflows the bun. We sat at the counter, of course, since that is the only way to experience good old fashioned diner dining. Great food, great place!

Well, we’re off to pick up our fourth member of the family. I’m sure he’s been lonely and will be excited to be home!

...welcome to the United States of Mexico

Yep, I'm very unhappy about rewarding illegal aliens with benefits earmarked for US citizens and legal immigrants.

Here is my letter to Senator Voinovich and Senator DeWine:

I am sadly disappointed that you voted for and approved S 2611. I feel as though you and many other representatives are exchanging this country and its good citizens' heritage for a quick fix to a very complex problem. Personally, I would rather see the money that will be spent on refunds, welfare, social security, and educational benefits for illegals sent directly to Mexico, if need be. As it is, the Mexican government turns a blind eye toward the millions escaping its borders while failing to solve its own social problems. Now it is our problem.
It is simply mind-boggling that every Senator who approved this bill apparently does not know the meaning of "illegal". Those who enter this country illegally are criminals and this bill rewards their illegal activities. Additionally, it is a slap in the face to those who jump through hoops, learn the language, have legal jobs, pay taxes, and educate their children to become legal citizens.

Along with many, this is one issue that I will remember next election.

...life with Isabella

This post is for Isabella's Mom, just so she knows we've got a handle on her...sort of. I wonder if there is a market for precocious five-year-olds? I'll check with Ebay.

Day 1: On the way down, while listening to KIDS on satellite, we heard a new version of an old song. Apparently, it is now politically correct to sing, "Baa Baa White Sheep". Gheez. Have we taken this a little too far? I suspect that when the rhyme was first written, the wool from a black sheep was far more valuable than that of a white sheep. Besides, baa and baa goes far better with black than white. White loses the rhythm, somehow; but, we all know that, don't we?

Her first "job" was to help papaw picking up sticks in the yard. He kept her busy for quite a while. I think we might burn the debris tonight and have a bonfire with hotdogs and marshmallows. Isabella is concerned because we don't have a table down there. For a snack, later, she had five pieces of bread, without the crusts, and strawberries. OK. A little strange for my taste. We watched a "Scooby Doo", of course, and "The Last Unicorn". She crashed about 10:30, with Duncan at her feet. It's quiet right now, but I suspect that will change in a few minutes!

Day 2: Up early, of course. Breakfast is 2 bowls of rice crispies, one bowl of oatmeal, bread, grapes and milk over a period of an hour, in between cartoons and lite-brite. Off to the park and Isabella makes a new friend, Jazz'mea. Back home and work in the garden with her garden tools. Lunch is at Subway with her being very polite and ordering her own sandwich and cookie. She now searches her own movies and shows on the remote and knows how to rewind to watch those ever so funny shots, like Scooby farting. OK. OH, yeah, it was Scooby Doo 2 tonight. She crashed a bit earlier tonight, with papaw right behind her.

...nano nano

Well, I am positively in Music heaven, right up there with John, Bobby, Bill and Johnny. I finally got my little Nano I-Pod and I love it! I'm still working on playlists and stuff, but I'm sure it will work out. I-Tunes is going to break me, I'm sure. I may have to get a job! ....Nah, I'll work it off at home!

...you want breakfast where?

...breakfast at McDonalds

A quick and simple breakfast after church, that is all Jim and I wanted. I walked over to McDonald’s while he went to the BP to get gas. Easy. He wanted pancakes and coffee. I wanted pancakes and coffee.

Conversation.

CLERK: Good morning, can I help you?
ME: Good morning. Yes, I’ll have two orders of hotcakes and two coffees.
CLERK: You want two hotcakes?
ME: Yes, I want two orders of hotcakes and two coffees.
CLERK: Do you want cream and sugar in your coffee:
ME: No thank you.
CLERK: You only want two hotcakes and coffee?
ME: Yes, two orders of hotcakes and two coffees. I don’t want just two hotcakes.
CLERK: We sell hotcakes by one, two or three.
ME: I want two orders of hotcakes and two coffees.
CLERK: Two hotcakes.
ME: No, there are two of us. Each of us wants an order of hotcakes and coffee.
CLERK: That will be three dollars.
ME: That doesn’t sound right, I think I owe you more money.
CLERK: Well, if you only want two hotcakes and coffee, it is right.
ME: I don’t want two hotcakes. I want two orders of hotcakes and two coffees. I owe you more money.
CLERK: (fiddles with the register). OK. Three dollars and eighty cents.
ME: (at this point, I want to either start laughing or reach across the counter and shake her). That still doesn’t sound right, but OK. (I give her the exact change, because I’m afraid she can’t break a dollar.)
ME: (waits patiently to the side)
CLERK 2 brings out two huge bags and two coffees and sets them in front of me.
ME: I don’t think this is my order, there are four containers. I wanted two orders of hotcakes.
CLERK 2: We put one pancake in each container.
ME: Why?
CLERK 2: It’s the same thing as two orders.
ME: You have one hotcake in each container? (Secretly, I want to shout, "What is WRONG with you people?" However, it is the Lord’s day and patience is supposed to be a virtue. Actually, an order of hotcakes is three cakes. I’m wondering about their math skills.)
ME: (I merely shake my head and take the bags.)
ME: Home. Yep. One pancake in each container, cold, because they didn’t have their little pancake companions to keep them warm. Oh, surprise, the fourth container has two hotcakes in it. Must be a bonus.

...retirement?

I think something just might be wrong with this picture. I was up at my usual time (6:30), I am dressed, I am doing laundry and it is only 7:05. I suppose I actually have to have some kind of dinner ready for Jim, also!

I cried all day yesterday and was totally wiped out by 10:00 pm last night. Everyone at work was so very kind dropping by with well-wishes, little gifts, baked goods and cards. Two of my friends, Tina and Michelle, put together an awesome memory book for me, including pages and pages of written wishes from everyone. I am not just leaving a work place, I am leaving a family.

...it's a wacky world

OK…it’s getting crazy out there. Muslims are killing and rioting over a cartoon. Nevermind that any public figure, be it religious or political is public domain…even God has had tacky tasteless jokes printed about Him. Have the Catholics risen in unison and burned buildings because the Pope has made the papers in cartoon form? How many Baptists killed their neighbors when the papers were making fun of Oral Roberts? G. Bush signed an agreement with India to exchange nuclear secrets…providing they keep nuclear power and weapons separate….yeahrightsure. We’re selling our country’s security to terrorists, despite what the right-wing conservatives will have you believe. Why not hire the Taliban as Secret Service Agents for the President and crew? Cheney shot his friend in the face. Do we even want our vice-president in a position where he could get shot, let alone be the shooter?

Now the good news….number one granddaughter is moving only two hours away!!!! Yeah!!!!!

...on Googling

Google, in its search for the almighty dollar, has egregiously erred in its decision to prohibit Internet searches in its China market. Chinese will only see government sponsored sights when searching Internet databases. Google succumbed to Chinese government pressure and decided to limit freedom. However, at the same time, Google refuses to submit to a United States government subpoena of its records on searches for child pornography. In other words, it is certainly OK by Google administrators to allow creeps to view and download child porno (clearly against US law) but it will not let Chinese citizens the freedom to search for the truth. It’s OK to promote stalking and exploiting children, but not OK for a Chinese citizen to search the truth in current events or history. It is OK for someone to get their rocks off while viewing a child in a compromising (and never consensual) position, but not OK for a Chinese citizen to learn about democracy. Google is pathetic and a disgrace to this county’s long fight for human rights. Maybe they need to do a search on "freedom" or "war" or "human rights" or "capitalism". New World Order, here we come.

There are hundreds of search engines on the Internet, many of them better than Google. www.dogpile.com, www.ixquick.com are two good ones. I suggest you BOYCOT Google, I am….I won’t be Googling anything.

...my daughter the star

Well, Lisa's television debut went very well and she looked beautiful in her green sweater. She didn't stutter, hesitate, talk to long (like someone we won't mention), didn't throw up, or go blank. She's a star!

We had a great time watching her, although it was hard to hear sometimes with the family yelling! I had to watch it several times on tape, just to see how it went. The camera on the audience focused on Mom, Mike, and Vic (they hogged the audience shots completely!) Little Isabella is only on for a couple of shots and they had to get her, of course, when she was hot and tired.

Jodi called Lisa right after the airing, and unfortunately, Lisa's mother-in-law answered the phone to all of us yelling "loser"! So much for family support! I'm sure Betty think's we're way out there somewhere! Vic was impressed with Betty's southern accent and called it "lovely"...I'm not sure I ever heard that word from him...but then, she is a lovely person all around.

I think I've been blessed many times over having such good children, family and friends (bizarre as some of them are....won't mention any names!)

Good going, Number One Daughter!

...clash of the Titans

The match-up for today's clash is St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Ironton at the Pizza Oven Classic today at 1:30 pm in North Canton. Will keep you posted.

...catching up

The rush is finally over. Like my daughter, I feel the past few weeks have been a hazy visual of celebrations (holiday), sadness (UncleBob's funeral), food, visits (love that Isabella), decorations, no decorations, food, retirement preparation, tax stuff, getting picked for Cash Explosion, shopping, food, three visits from the Sheriff's Department, food and food. I can't even relate to getting back to work this new year, since I don't plan on finishing it working. I have innumerable tasks to complete before my final day. The work days fly by so quickly, it seems I get little done toward that end.

I told Jim last night that I was getting excited about our retirement years. We have both worked sincewe were sixteen and it is time. I have rules, however. We must both bathe, comb our hair (well, I'll comb mine) and brush our teeth daily. (Little goals.). Big goals include FINALLY getting the basement, attic, and garage in order, a real garden again, walking every day, and forcing myself to throw all my lipsticks away. (That will be the hardest.)

May this year be one of peace for all.