While we were away...

The work continues in Holland. Framing looks good, but it's been too windy to get the trusses up for the roof. To me the place looks a little small, but when I asked the builder if we could make some changes he looked at me like I was crazy.

Home.

We couldn't stay forever, although there are times I think of doing just that. After church we started packing, and said our goodbyes. We had just six or seven hours to PA, on paper, but we had trouble yet again. One of the tires was going flat, and there was brutal traffic in NJ and PA (again the LIE ran great--go figure). When I woke up Monday morning the tire was flat, and it was freezing rain outside. Not a good situation, but I finally got the tire changed with the help of a car guy who had a "real deal" jack, a sledge hammer, and some wooden blocks. We made it.

Thanks to Ambien (TM), who is no way sponsors this site, for coming up with a really effective drug for children!!!

Church.

We went to the Methodist church on Sunday morning. My grandparents have been going there since they moved to Southold in 1975, so it's another place rich with memories for me. Unfortunately the congregation is much smaller these days, but the pastor (who is a woman, by the way--and doing a terrific job) puts her heart into every service, and it's not lost on me any time I am there. We had some cake and coffee after the service, but I knew my time was short... I had Pennsylvania on my mind.

It was cute to have Connor using the walker, as more than one person remarked that "you come in using the walker, and you'll go out using the walker". True enough.

Grandma's 90th Birthday!

On Saturday night we went out to dinner at Skippers, which is a place where we've dined for 20 years at least. Dinner was great, and Grandma had a nice and memorable evening. My crazy uncle Jeff was there as well of course, but I only can say it that way because he doesn't have internet access at the Jamesport house. Or an actual computer. And I'm pretty sure he wouldn't know how to find this site even if he did. My uncle's heart is in the right place though, and he loves his mother more than anything else.

Long Island in the fall.

This is the Long Island I grew up in. The views and the water are actually more beautiful than these photos can display. And boating in Long Island is about as good as it gets.

Greenport.

We went to Greenport on Friday, just for something to do. The hot spots close for the winter, but we walked around in the cold and did some shopping. Those guys at Claudios are gone for the season...

Thanksgiving.

My Grandmother lives on Long Island, about half way out on the North Fork in a town called Southold. My brother and I spent our summers growing up out there, and the house is on a canal off Corey Creek, which is a part of Little Peconic Bay. It's really wonderful out there, but it's not easy to get there, unfortunately. We always spent our Christmases out there, but last year my Grandmother agreed to come here for Christmas as traveling with an infant seemed too difficult. We were there in July again, as faithful readers will remember.

At any rate, my Grandmother cannot come this Christmas, so we decided to go there for Thanksgiving weekend... which happened to coincide with her 90th birthday! We left on Wednesday afternoon, and had some trouble with the drive, but I'll spare the details. We stayed at our favorite little haunt in Clearfield, PA, then got right on the road Thursday morning. By the way, people who say it's difficult to travel with a one year old toddler are crazy. Really, there's nothing to it. I brought lots of books on tape, and we just gave him some slivers of Ambien (TM) whenever he was acting up. Things went famously.

So, we picked up my brother in Islip on the way, but overall made great time on the LIE, which surprised me. Arrival was late in the afternoon, but we still had a nice Thanksgiving dinner that my Grandma had ordered in, and she was pretty thrilled to see her only great-grandson. And us (OK, I mean me)!

Clear Ridge.

Another night on the Meadow. Or the Ridge, if you prefer. As an aside, being president of our little condo association has turned out to be no picnic, for those of you thinking of buying in an "Association". "Phase Three of Del Boca Vista: The Pines!!" (What's that from??)

Cottage Update.

I get so many emails about the Holland house project that I simply cannot respond to all of you individually. For that I apologize and "I'm not just saying that".

(OK, I am. Actually, no one ever even asks.)

At any rate, here are some of the latest photos. They got rid of the remains of the old house and have poured the foundation. Did I mention that this place is right on Lake Michigan? We have our own steps and everything.