Brothers of the Sun

Wow, wow and wow!  We had an awesome time yesterday.  We headed to Pittsburgh around 10am as we heard the crowds would be crazy and the traffic even crazier.  We parked at the casino for $45 (we got it back cuz we gambled before and after the show to wait for traffic to die down) and walked to the stadium.  To say crazy is an understatement.  There were people and cars everywhere!  The parking lots were jammed with tailgaters and the river was laden with boats, it was a very cool site to see.  The only negative I have to say about the partiers in the parking lots is, 'really Pittsburghers, are you that careless about your city?'  If I were from Pittsburgh, I'd have to say I was ashamed....  The partiers left busted chairs, broken glass and trash, trash and more trash.  Now, I admit a few and very few, bagged up their trash nicely, but for the most part it was disgraceful.  Okay, enough said.

Here are some pics from the evening.  First Jake Owen took the stage and warmed up the crowd, what there was of it, with '1972'.  He's definitely a rocker at heart!  I guess most were hard core Kenny fans as even Tim couldn't fill the stadium.  Next, Grace Potter performed - a true rocker with a beautiful voice and stage presence.  She also joined Kenny for a duet of 'You and Tequila'.

Tim came on about 6:30 and played for a good hour and a half, with a standing O.  He was awesome, 'nuff said!  He played one of my favs to start, 'Everywhere' and I even cried when he sang the lyrics.... 'Arizona, dancin' cross the desert'  It reminded me of how much I miss AZ!  He has a new song 'Truck, Yeah' which was pretty amazing live!  I loved his live version of  'Back When' and 'Where the Green Grass Grows' too.

Next Kenny took the stage and wowed us all!  He is such an entertainer and a very genuine person.  He shows such emotion when singing his songs and really is a great story-teller and it seems he truly loves his fans.  He started off with 'Beer in Mexico'  one of our favorite songs, so that really got us going then moved into 'Keg in the Closet'.   He also covered 'Blister in the Sun' and 'Girl You Really Got Me' which were both pretty darn good I have to say.  He only played one island song, 'When the Sun Goes Down' so that was kind of a bummer, but understandable since most of his fans are country I guess.

We had a great time, and would see them again in a heartbeat.  At the end of the show, Tim and Kenny sang 'Rockstar' 'Indian Outlaw' and 'She Thinks My Tractor's Sexy' and then Grace and Jake joined them for the finale, 'Runnin' on Empty'.  Very, very cool!

After the show, we walked back to the casino, grabbed something to eat, hung out, listened to the band for a bit and waited for traffic to die down before we headed home.  I was the DD and for a change, Otto slept on the way home, where we finally arrived at 1:30 am.  What a day, so fun though I had to share it with y'all!

Michigan Visitors and Road Trip!

This week started off with a visit from Aunt Rose and cousin, Doreen.  I was so excited for them to come visit and for us to take a road trip to West Virginia.  Otto had to work and so I was hanging out at home.  While I was waiting for them to get here, I baked some biscotti to have with coffee later and I cooked up some basil and garlic chicken, steamed veggies and a new recipe for risotto for dinner and finally they arrived!  Well, first things first, right?  I open a bottle of wine and get out glasses for us and Aunt Rose says, 'just a little for me', so I pulled out one of Nana's red wine glasses to pour her wine and what does she say? 'Hey, these are my glasses, where'd you get these?'  I told her they were Nana's and she said, 'she took them from me'.  Oy!  We laughed and laughed.  Doreen said that she always does that to her to!  I just love to hear Aunt Rosie laugh, she brings such joy to the room with her smile and hilarious stories that include her sisters, especially Nana, Dad, Aunt Joann, her kids and her husband and love, Uncle Red!

We had such an amazing time starting with our stop at the local Dunkin' Donuts on the way out to the stop at the Dunkin' Donuts right out of Shinnston for the ride home! Yep, twice in one day!

Here we are West Virginia!

Aunt Rose said she used to bring Aunt Joann here
as well as the other theater, The Metropolitan

Aunt Rose was a wealth of information and once in West Virginia remembered a lot of old sights on High Street and led us right to Pleasant Street and University Ave where Grandpa Sam had the "Shoe Hospital".  She shared stories of happiness as well as sadness and tragedy.  Grandpa Sam used to repair the boots of the CCC workers back when Roosevelt was in office. And did you know when the Marino's were little back in Italy, Nana's mother had a young boy, Sam Olivito, a ripe old 17, make Nana's first pair of shoes.  Once the shoes were done and our Grandpa told our Great Grandmother how much they were she refused to pay for them and Nana didn't get her new shoes to come to America.  But, 15 years later, that shoemaker became her husband!

Me and Aunt Rose in front of the shop on the corner of
Pleasant Street and University Ave.

 After walking around the shop and checking out the other buildings in the area, Aunt Rose told the heart-wrenching story of our cousin who fell to his death out a second story window from the building that was across the street from the shop.  He was managing the building which was a night club on the first floor and apartments on the second.  He found out about some illegal activity going on and was going to the police, but someone got to him first.  It seems his death was ruled a suicide but Aunt Rose says she saw him in the hospital and he looked like he put up a fight, his knuckles were bruised and face was beaten. So the family thinks he was beat up and thrown out the window.  So sad!

The building that our cousin managed

As the day went on, Aunt Rose told us story after story and led us to Uncle Red's home town of Star City, just up from WV University.
She took us to the street where Uncle Red lived, but couldn't remember exactly which house was his.  She remembered streets and the town very well and led us right to the church they used to go to and the mausoleum that her brother and my great uncle, Frank was buried.  We were searching for the glass company that Uncle Red had worked back in the late 20's and she led us down to the river and said it was by the RR tracks.  But, we couldn't find anything so we asked the local fire captain who sent us to the glass factory in Star City, but after talking to the owner realized that wasn't the right one.  When Aunt Rose shared that President Kennedy bought their glassware there, the owner instantly knew that it was the Morgantown Glass Company that he worked for and unfortunately it, and the other glass company, Seneca had closed down years ago.  He told us there was an antique shop in Morgantown that sold some of the glass that was made from the factories so we headed there.  We looked around and shopped for just the right item that would bring Doreen the joy of knowing it was made in the factory that her father once was a glass blower for.  She chose a beautiful vase that she will proudly fill with flowers and have sitting on her kitchen table.  Aww!  The Seneca center had pictures of workers from the 20's and 30's about the time Uncle Red worked there.  It showed many young men and the technique of glass blowing, it was amazing.

Aunt Rose outside the Seneca Center and antique shop
where we shopped for glassware

Well, our day was just getting started.  From here, we stopped for a sandwich then headed to Shinnston to visit the grave of my great grandma and grandpa.  When Otto and I were here a few months ago, we were at the right cemetary, but the wrong location and it only took a little reminder from my cousin, Donald, one of Aunt Mary's 12 kids to steer us in the right direction.  Oh yeah, on to that story.  So, we are driving in Shinnston and Aunt Rose says, up that hill is where Aunt Mary used to live, so U-turn and up we go.  Doreen remembered that the street dead-ended right at the house, but she hadn't been here since she was 12.  After a few turns here and there, I said 'was it Highland St?' and Aunt Rose, said 'yes' that is it!  So, there we were, right in front of the house Aunt Mary raised her 12 children.

Aunt Rose and Doreen at the grave

Nana's parents.  My great grandpa Frank and great grandma Nancy

Me and Aunt Rose - she brought some red silk roses, she
said they were her mother's favorite flowers.  A few of her
children still live local and come visit and decorate the grave.

 While we were taking pictures of the house, Aunt Rose says 'Donald's house should be right here, he has blue glass rocks in the front'.  And sure enough, he was home and we stopped in for a visit.  We had planned to meet another cousin, Mary Margaret, but when we called she wasn't home, but Donald said she was stopping by so we got to see her as well.





Donald and his wife, Mary May live in the house next door to where he grew up as a child.  Doreen remembers the garden and the horses in the fields out back.  Donald built the house in '72 right where the garden that fed the family used to sit. He filled us in on all the family in the area and who was doing what.  Donald is now retired, he was the Chief of Police in Shinnston.

It is certainly a different way of life for those that live in this small town.  And it was evident when Aunt Rose told them to come to Michigan to visit and Mary May said they don't leave Shinnston often as Donald doesn't like to travel.
Mary Margaret finally  showed up, she had served Meals on Wheels for lunch, then headed to visit a friend's brother in the VA hospital.  She is certainly a busy lady.  Her husband, Joe just retired from the mines.  It was so cool to see her, I believe I met her and her husband when they came to see Nana one time.  She remembers our dad and has fond memories of Nana as well.

Me, Donald (Aunt Mary's son), Aunt Rose
and Donald's wife, Mary May

Aunt Rosie and Mary Margaret (Aunt Mary's daughter)

I took this picture of a picture - Aunt Mary is in the middle
surrounded by her twelve (12) children

We had left the house at 9:30 and it was now 6 pm, I was exhausted, and there was Aunt Rose still wanting to go visit Aunt Ida, her brother Frank's wife who is in a nursing home in Bridgeport (20 miles away).  Wow,  really?  So, off we go to see Aunt Ida!  Okay, that is a story in itself.  I've got my GPS and Tomya tells us to turn on this gravel road, Gypsy Hallow or something or other and we drive and drive and the road narrows and Dor keeps asking are you sure, are you sure?  So we get to a fork in the road and Tomya tells us, 'left and go straight'!  Really, there was nothing there but overgrown weeds, so Dor turns around and says 'I'm gonna try my lady to get us out of here'  and what does her 'lady' tell us, 'make a legal U-turn and head straight on Gypsy Hallow'  so much for our 'ladies'!  We had a good laugh!  We ended up replanning the route and got to the nursing home about 30 minutes later.  We visited with Aunt Ida, who has Alzheimers, for a little while.  She offered us some root beer and told us about her 'colleagues' and her day 'teaching the teachers'.  She talked about the visitors that may come for the 4th of July and family that still keeps her house and pictures tidy.  She spoke highly of Uncle Red and how much she loved him and shed a tear for her Frank, it was hard watching that look of sadness turn to empty eyes when you know that she is only a little bit of what she once was since this disease has taken over.  I could see the look in Aunt Rose's eyes, it was time to go.  Aunt Rose talked of the times that she and Uncle Red had with Frank and Ida as they were close.  It was hard for Doreen too, as she remembers her Aunt in a much different light.  As for me, I felt sorrow, but mostly that I hadn't the opportunity to know my Nana's sister in law, a wonderful educator before the Alzheimers.

Aunt Rose and Aunt Ida

And so, our road trip was winding down.  We left the nursing home and plugged in our destination into both our GPS's.  But, as fate would have it I told Dor to take a wrong turn and we ended up on the wrong highway up by Cooper's Rock State Park, where we intended to make it to see earlier but decided against it.  It was right then that Doreen and I made plans for her and Frank and Otto and I to go camping at Cooper's Rock State Park in September.  There's a story here too, isn't there always?  Uncle Red build the guard rail at the Cooper's Rock lookout point when he was with the CCC back in the day.  And, that my friends and family is the end of my story.

When we moved to Pennsylvania it never occurred to me the connection I would make with my cousin again.  God is so good and has given me the opportunity to meet cousins and renew relationships as well as see the places where my great grandparents, grandparents and family lived, worked and made their mark in this world!

Transformation

Cape San Blaus, FL (2009)

It's funny, well not really, but I have to laugh at how God works in my life.  I've been catching up on my devotions this morning, spending an extended amount of 'quiet time' as I've been a little distracted and unfocused lately.

I really wanted to sit and listen to the spirit, be quiet and see what the Lord is telling me today.  I picked up 'Longing for the Holy', the bible study our group just finished, and reread the last chapter about teaching us to see God in everyday life, in all we do.  Anyway, there is a section that talks about practicing the presence of God, another on cultivating a sense of wonder and lastly learning to ponder, so I read them again and really focused on the words, the meaning, what it means to me.  Then, I moved on to my daily scripture reading, Mark 11:11-26, it was about Jesus arriving at the temple and being confronted with a spectacle that makes him boil with anger.   Merchants and money changers are doing business in the temple's outer court.  But, what does Jesus do?  Nothing.  Why did He push the pause button on his anger and not unleash it at the merchants?  He know it wasn't the right moment to speak to them.  He had a sense of timing, His Father's timing.

In 'Longing for the Holy' there is a paragraph that explains how Jesus is the most powerful example of the deep wisdom that can be gained as we ponder.  He was on the receiving end of hatred, jealousy and anger.  He carried those and held them in his heart and never passed these on to others.  He held them in His heart until they were transformed into forgiveness, compassion and love.  Just as He did that day at the temple.  He held in His anger and did not lash out at the people.  He let the anger and hatred turn into forgiveness, compassion and love.

I can't help but notice the connection between these two today.  Two totally different books, not meant to be read at the same time or day, but still somehow they are connected.  This is God's way of getting my attention.  I've learned over the years not to be surprised at this, but sometimes I still am.  I have to chuckle at God, continually convincing me that He is in control, not me.  He sends me what I need when I need it. No joke, but still I laugh.  A little giggle under my breath, because He loves me so much, he constantly sends me these reminders.

So, today I sat and contemplated, I took time to ponder on some things and let them settle in my heart.  I prayed today for patience and for the strength so these troubles and tension  may be transformed into forgiveness, compassion and love.

Road Trip

We headed out early Saturday morning for Michigan after stopping for coffee at Starbucks.  Destination, New Boston Michigan, home of Doreen, youngest daughter of Aunt Rose and Uncle Red.  

Two of Doreen's daughters, Natalie (B.S. Psychology) and Jenna (R.N.) just graduated from college and she was having a big bash on Sunday to celebrate.  We thought it was the perfect way to see as many of the cousins as possible.

We drove NW out of Pennsylvania and West through Ohio and then North into Michigan arriving early afternoon to Doreen and Frank's house.

Me and Doreen

They live in a beautiful rural area SE of Detroit.

We chatted and caught up, met Frank and then were taken on a drive through a series of County Metro parks.  It was so pretty and had bike and walking paths that winded through and along the Detroit river and Lake Erie. We found out that Dor and Frank like to ride bikes and hike as well so we hope to join them for some adventures in Ohiopyle soon!  

After we got back to the house, Doreen had made some pulled chicken, we had sandwiches then learned a new card game, Aces Down.  Apparently a favorite of Uncle Red's. 

After waking up on Sunday morning, we helped ready for the party as much as we could, but really needed to get out from under foot so took their dog, Jack for a walk along the railroad tracks near their home.  We were serenaded by the black birds and bull frogs along the way and got some exercise too!

After returning to the house, it was the final push to get ready for the guests at 3:00 p.m.  Then they came, and they came.... Family after family!  Well, what do you expect, Aunt Rose and Uncle Red had 7 kids and their kids had kids, and their kids had kids and so on and so on...... Here's what I can tell you.  Pat and Glenn were there, their son Rich, his wife Cindy and their daughter Lori, her husband Rob.  Rich and Cindy have two boys and Lori and Rob have a daughter Olivia.  Ed and Diane were there with their daughter Jackie and her husband and two boys.  Joe's daughter Tracy, her daughter Caitlyn and Matt, his son were there.  Joe and his current wife Debbie live about 3 hours north and didn't make it.  Of course, Tom and Ruth weren't there, Tom works in China and Ruth lives in Texas.  Bob and Sue were in Kingman visiting mom plus they in AZ.  Three of Joan's kids were there, Julie only had the two girls, her husband Chad and Kyle their son were home painting.  Patti was there sans her husband Scot who had to work!  Oh, and they are expecting in November.  Marti wasn't there, she lives in FL with Larry.  But Joe and his wife Michelle and their two kids Shelby and CJ were there too.  

Here are some pictures of the cousins we met, some for the first time, others reunited after meeting at Aunt Rose's 90th!  I'll see if I can get them all right!  I didn't get pictures of all the cousins, but hope to in the future.

Tracy (Joe's daughter), her daughter Caitlyn
Aunt Rose and Devyn (Doreen's granddaughter)

Julie, me, Aunt Rose, Joe and Joan

Doreen, Joan me and Aunt Rose 

Doreen's girls, Jayme, Natalie, Jenna and Kelsey holding Devyn (Jayme's baby)

Jenna and her boyfriend, Mike

Ed and Diane, Aunt Rose with Jackie and her husband and two boys

Doreen with Rob, Lori's husband.  Lori is Glen's daughter (not in picture)

Pat and Glen, Otto, Aunt Rose, Joe (Joan's son) and me

After everyone left, Frank built a fire and we sat outside talked and fell asleep!  It was a wonderful ending to a wonderful day!

Monday morning Otto and I drove up to Melvindale, about 25 miles, to meet Joanie and Aunt Rose for breakfast.  We walked to a little cafe on the corner by Aunt Rose's house.  It was so good to get to spend time with the Harris family!  We took Aunt Rose to see Jayme and Devyn, drove to see Joani's house then returned back to Frank and Doreen's to say our goodbyes!

Since the drive is only about 4 hours, I am sure we will be returning for more family get-togethers.

Life in the Country

Well, our weekend started out with a short but challenging bike ride to Maxwell field where Otto's co-worker's sons were playing a LL game.  It was very humid and we both got bike-short tans, but had a really good ride!

We came home, made lunch and crashed - watched TV then ended up hitting the sack early.

Sunday am we headed to the trailer for some cleaning.  We washed the windows, swept and scrubbed the floors, made the bed and readied her for our first camping trip the weekend after Memorial Day.  The trailer was in storage for so long, and the week we took it was the week we moved in.  So much activity surrounds that week that we forgot where we stored the rugs, towels, sheets and other stuff we brought home when we stored the trailer.  Looks like we'll have to tear apart the garage to find them!  Yikes.

After we got home we decided to take a drive and picked out a new winery to visit.  It was only a short 20 minute drive from home through some country roads that led us to Greendance Winery and Sand Hill Berries.  It was a beautiful day and we were ready for some good tastings and fun times.  Out here, the tastings are free!  But the state mandates all wineries post a sign that says "Pennsylvania law allows only 6 tastings".  But still, that beats the $10-20 fee we are used to paying.

The winery sign as we entered the farm

We were greeted by the rhythm from the band playing in the orchard and a lot full of cars and I skipped with anticipation and excitement to the tasting room first!

Lots of berry wines (too sweet for me) but one stood out with an aroma reminiscent of Christmas, a spiced apple that when chilled tasted pretty darn good!  Most easterners would probably like it around Fall, but Otto really liked it and wanted some to drink right away.  We enjoyed the Vidal Blanc, a dry white and their Petite Syrah as well.  After tasting and purchasing a few bottles we headed out to hear the band and sample the Spiced Apple we just bought.

It was so relaxing to be sitting there with the views of the farm surrounding us and people buzzing around - a great atmosphere.  The only bad thing was they ran out of sandwiches so we had to settle for a piece of their raspberry pie (darn) that was really good.  We really enjoyed the afternoon at the winery, and look forward to our friends and family visiting so we can share our little gem with them!

The drummer for Abacus James, a local band playing alternative and some classic oldies

View of the picnic tables scattered throughout the orchards

Soon to be a bunch of grapes

Pointing out the cluster of grapes

Wild turkeys

Otto was getting a little antsy, so we headed for home but decided to stop in on our friends, Mark and Judy who were supposed to be working in the yard planting.  We stopped at the local six-pack shop and picked up some beer and headed over, only to find that they retreated to indoors, it was too hot to plant and decided to resume after dinner.  They invited us to join them, so we did.  We had a real nice visit - a great ending to a wonderful day.  Sometimes the best days are those unplanned and left to the unknown and unexpected.  I love the journey we are on right now, am I sad that we are away from friends and family?  For sure!  But, tyring not to let that determine my mood and the ability to enjoy the journey.  I know that God has a plan for us (Jeremiah 29:11) and if we focus on the here and now, I know that when He is ready for us to see that plan, we will.

In the meantime, I will really try to enjoy all that God is showing us here in Pennsylvania.

Leave it at the Cross

There are no 'do-overs' 'just kidding' or 'take-backs' in life.  Once you say it or do it, it's done.  Such is life.  But, we have mercy and grace and hope and that is the cross.   Thankfully.  We need to take our regrets, our guilt, our pain, our mistakes, our shame and failures, all of it.  We need to take it to the cross and LEAVE it there.


For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people
Titans 2:11

How many times have we given it all up to God, only to take it back?  Baggage; it's an unnecessary load if we don't get rid of it.  Extra stuff that we don't need to carry, burdens that we don't need to bear.


Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens
Psalm 68:19  


In our haste, words may be spoken and action may be taken - these are the regrets that so many of us hold on to and they slowly eat away at us and cause us to lose sight of who we are, a wonderfully made creation.  A child of God.  So what are we to do?  Give it up and move on.  If we don't move on, we may miss out on something really great, something special God has planned specifically for us.


For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11


I know this because it is written.  Written in words that is music to our soul and contains hope and saving grace.  A sweet melody that reminds us He has a plan, not to hurt us, but plans to prosper us. Words intended to let us move on, up and away from complacency, from inadequacies, from ourselves.  Words that we need to read and re-read, often.   Hope is offered to all, it is there for the taking.  But in taking it we must leave something in return - our burdens.

Great Love!

"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved." Ephesians 2:4-5

The Adventure Continues

This past weekend we were so grateful for the time to be able to serve families from the county by handing out food on Saturday and then enjoy the great outdoors as we hit the road on Sunday to ride the Great Allegheny Passage trail http://www.atatrail.org/
We chose a small portion of the trail that starts in Ohiopyle and runs through Ohiopyle State Park to Confluence, about 22 miles RT.  Ohiopyle is located along the Youghiogheny River and is a great spot for river rafting.
The trail is riddled with waterfalls and the trees form a canopy of green most of the way through, offering some protection from the sun.

On the trail - there was only a 1-2% grade with level tail all the way from Ohiopyle to Confluence, where we turned around just short of the town.  It wasn't a difficult ride, but this was the first time we've been back in the saddle for awhile.  We opted for a 20 mile RT ride today!  Definitely will be back again!  Otto was on the Trek, which wasn't the smoothest ride of all!

We had lunch here, enjoying a beer and a burger after our ride.  The town is small, but buzzing with activity as it is the center and meeting place for rafters!

We stopped for a snack by Ramcat Falls, although it doesn't look like it, this is one of the areas of concern on this Class II stretch of the river.  There are several underwater swirls created by the rocks and river bed that can suck a raft under easily. 

 

We had to go to Cucumber Falls and check it out - it was beautiful.  I was curious about why it was called Cucumber Falls, it didn't smell like the vegetable to me.  I found out that Copperhead snakes smell like cucumbers so, that is how the falls got that name.  We didn't smell or see any snakes while we were there!

My Way

Today I was confronted with this - the path I choose to take is not always the one someone else would choose to travel or visa-versa.   I really let something bother me today that I had no right or reason to bother me!   I was annoyed, and it took awhile for me to come down off my high horse (something my Nana would say) and quit being annoyed and bothered.  At times, I find myself getting caught up in others' actions and choices and forget that my thoughts and actions are my own and so are theirs.  Everyone does not think like me or would do what I do.  Don't we all though, honestly feel that way sometimes?  I am learning to let go, but still need a gentle reminder at times.  Today thankfully, the sun and the ceasing of water falling from the sky nudged at my adventurous spirit - ah ha, my gentle reminder, let it go!

So I got on my running shoes, grabbed my camera and headed for the hills, well Twin Lakes actually, which is in the hills!  I did a quick lap around the lake (it was very hot and humid) and then sprinted for my camera when I noticed a hawk circling the lake enticing me to just try and catch it dipping into the water for its evening meal.

I spent the afternoon just the way I wanted to.  With camera in hand wandering around the lake and then parking it on a bench for hours, just shooting anything and everything that moved.  Whether in the bushes, trees or in the water, I snapped away.  For hours I was content to sit, listen and snap, but mostly just be.  Be me, uniquely and wonderfully made by the Father - just as others in my life are made, made to be who they are and make their own choices.

And, below you will see the fruits of my labor, my therapy, the serenity of being me.   I captured the hawk soaring and searching, two sunfish playing as they chased and kissed all the while avoiding the hook of the ever-hopeful fisherman, those fishermen waiting patiently while sharing stories of their day, and an as-yet unidentified bird, a few walkers sweating it out with their pups and some random beauty!

I need more therapy!  More days where I leave others' choices to them and choose what I love without bother, guilt or regret.