I Could

Write about that beautiful unique yellow bird with the black stripes I saw on my drive home from work tonight. I could write about the Abuse of Power in the City, State and Federal levels and rant and rant and RANT! I could write about my new cell phone which is pretty cool and  how nice it is to have a phone that actually does charge. I could write about my second full day and night off the FB circuit. I could write about how much I do not FEEL LIKE teaching that class tomorrow night. I could write about the cat. Yeah. Really. The cat. No lie. I could write about my stop at Boston Market to pick up dinner after I purchased that new cell phone. Yeah. Boston Market. I could write about the last time I stopped at a Boston Market. 20 or so odd years ago?

I could write about this worry and fear within and I could mention the sound of his voice right now would be perfect. But I will not because I can not.

Maybe I could write about that slice of apple pie I ate and how I skipped the gym instead.

I could.

Maybe.

Or

Not.

Second Day of Social Media Disconnect

A new King has been born! Funny, I remember when William was born and now he has a child of his own. I am a lover of history, which includes European history and that covers anything royal. Especially, I love when royalty ran countries and were not just a figure head. Nonetheless, royal life is interesting since it is so different than our life.

I made most of my goals yesterday. I did not get the break I wanted at work, however, I worked an eight hour day. That in of itself is an achievement considering it was a Monday. Mondays can be especially difficult. After work I went bike riding and swimming. Swimming after riding was cool and relaxing until it started to rain. I remained in the pool as it rained until the thunder came rolling in. I found myself reading not playing games last night. Yes. I remain off FB. At one point, I wondered what else could I do? I continued to read and completed several chapters of my book.

Yesterday on my drive home from work, I passed the horses and noticed the two new foals are growing up fast. The horses still attract many people who stop along the road to pet and feed them.

Birds are chirping. Time for a second cup of coffee and meditation before I begin my work day.

Enjoy the Ride

Forbidden Drive

Fall walk on a beautiful afternoon down at Forbidden Drive. We started on the regular trails, before climbing the rocky terrain. We came across runners, hikers, dog walkers, bike riders, horse riders, and those like us who wanted to enjoy the sights and sounds of the woods in the Fall.

 The bridge that leads from the regular trail to the stone terrain seems so small until you stand up against it.

Steps made from Wissahickon stone.

Taking a picture of the photographer.

Walking along.

I walked these trails so many times throughout my life beginning when I was a small girl with my grandpop who used to always carry a big stick (to chase away wild dogs, he said) and where he taught me to fish. We may get older. People may die. Memories stay forever.

Fall in Philadelphia

Living in Roxborough the NorthWest Section of Philadelphia represents not only a place with a history of post-civil industry, but a place of hidden beauty called the Wissahichon Park, which in of itself is a part of Fairmount Park. I no longer live in the city. but I work in the city and I have an office in a third floor 19th century house with three windows that allow me to grace my eyes upon the beauty of the park. When I was a little girl, my grandpop taught me to fish in the creek. We would go before dawn, and while he set up to fish, I would wrap a blanket tightly around me for the air was cool, before the sun shone their the tall trees, and I would often times sleep as my grandpop would fish for catfish. He never ate them, but threw them back into the creek. It was these days that he taught me to bate a line and toss it into the creek. My grandpop loved to fish, and took every opportunity to do so.

Now I have grandchildren of my own whom I did not teach to fish, but taught to explore the surrounding woods of the park. The ducks love to hang around Valley Green and today, one can stop for an ice cream or an entire meal while sitting outdoors. Valley Green is a perfect place to have a party or a meal in their quaint dining area indoors. I cannot count how many times, I have taken the grandchildren down there to feed the ducks, walk the trials, and eat that special treat.

This area means alot to me as I was taken there as a child, then brought my own sons and now take my own children. Great memories have been made in this place of beauty. Memories I hold dear to my heart and hope my children and their children will hold close to their hearts.

 

Family of Cats

Closely watching Issac travel through the gulf. Hoping it does not hit New Orleans. For completely selfish reasons as Bill and I are headed there for vacation on the 4th. If a plane can land, I will be there no matter what...........

The facility where I work and my view from the office is the Wissahicken Park. Since I started at FBHS five years ago, there have been several employees who leave out food and water for the many stray cats that roam the area. Sometimes, I see a raccoon (better than the walls in my 3rd floor office) or a squirrel at the bowls. Lately, I have been seeing a family of grey cats/kittens. As a matter of fact, I saw one kitten at the bowls when I left work this afternoon.

What fascinates me the most about this family is how protective the mother cat is. She is always close by either laying on a picnic table or in the wooded area just beyond where her growing family feeds. She keeps a close eye on her babies and at the slightest sound alerts them back to the woods.

The kittens are pure grey as the mother is grey and white. I counted three babies. They seem to be about ten weeks old and I am sure it will not be long before they leave their mother and head out in the woods alone. I used to question whether or not it was the right thing to do by feeding the stray cats, as they keep having babies and the cycle of birth and death continues. Honestly, I love watching them and it brings so much peace in the middle of a crazy day. It also makes me want to catch one and bring it home. Strays are clever. I remember playing in Laurel Hill Cemetery as a kid and trying to catch a stray kitten that lived underneath one of the mausoleums. I clearly remember it was an orange tabby and he/she was fast on those four little feet. I never did catch him though I tried for hours. I never gave it a thought as to whether or not my mom would allow me to keep it as we always had pets growing up. Maybe one day, I will tell you about my ducks.

For now, how wonderful the world would be if human mothers cared as much for their own kids as many do not and will throw the kid away for a bag of dope.

Oldies but Goodies

View from the Gettysburg House in 2010

Water Works

What you can expect for Christmas when your mom is recovering from surgery and shopping online. My sister and I had the greatest laugh over my gift.

Shaun and Nikolas's Art Work.

Famous Roxborough/Manayunk steps.

Valley Green

Nikolas