I can not believe a year has gone by. What have I been doing? Better yet, why haven't I found time to post to this blog? Questions, questions, questions!
For those of us who knew him, Henry died on 02-25-09. A special little guy who will forever be associated with the Sea Gull Century. Today he soars with the gulls as a special Angel with our little Angel, Andy. Henry and Andy, we love you and miss you.
The AVFD, Ladies Aux. of which I'm a part of as it's Treasurer, held a fund raising project selling Chicken Salad on March 7. The prep work prior at the Lions Hall as always acted as a village social event. Members and non-members of the Auxiliary showed up to help out. The spirit of the Village of Allen is something to behold.
On March 13'th we departed in snow heading south to Pine Island, FL by car. Along the way we did an overnighter in Kingsland, GA, right close to St. Mary's, GA. Our desk person at our Marriott suggested "Lang's Seafood", We went, enjoyed and shall go again. If ever that way and hungry for seafood, try it out.
We arrived at Pine Island and spent a great 5 days with Uncle Bob and Aunt Barb, for those that know them Tommy and Elva were in the area also. We had a great visit, great weather and even had a beer or two together. Who would have THUNK IT?
On the trip home we slid by, Sarasota, saw my mother, did St. Armond's Circle, the Pear in St. Pete and made a 1/2 day stop in Disney after a night in Lakeland. We spent 03/19 with Andy and Rika and on the 20'th headed north, spending the night in Jax, NC. We arrived back home on the 21'st after what we felt was another great trip south with great people.
The remainder of March was spent on the mundane tasks of farm mgmt. A Dr. appointment here, a dentist appointment there and such. See, I told you mundane.
On Saturday April 11, 2009 our grandson Thomas Palmer had his 1'st Communion at St. Peter's Episcopal church. Allen lost one of it's own. Fred Moore SR. passed away after a lengthy illness. Fred will always be remembered driving his antique truck in the 4'th of July parade.
The remainder of April brought out some warm weather and good breezes. O one such blow of the wind we had blocked a screen door open to keep it from banging and went on a short trip to Connecticut to see the others. That's Matt, beth and family for those that don't know. Upon our return the Mrs. had left the doors open and two cats made a visitation, these were of the Feral variety. Well, Mary Agnes had her hands full trying to get them out. They were a hissin, and a runnin up and down the stairs and walls, up and over furniture for a smart long time. Finally Mary Agnes prevailed and they were escorted to the great out doors. It was finally time for these two felines, nicknamed Frick and Frack to be caught and transported to camp. On two successive nights the catch was made and the both became permanent members of Camp Somerset on the other side of the creek.
Late April and early May saw my Arrhythmia irregularities return. I went through a whole bunch of tests and finally on May 6, went in to the hospital for a Cath and Stent procedure. To date all has been well, knock on wood, just did a tap on the desk. The pool at WYC was opened in preparation for the Memorial day opening. Once again I was to be the Pool Chairman, with a lot of volunteer help.
During one of my doctor visits we learned of a Standard Poodle in need of adoption. Her name was Maggie and she would be one year old on June 9'th. We met with Maggie, interviewed her and she accepted our home as hers.
The remainder of May saw Jeff, John and I starting to get the farm back in shape after a cold winter. On June 6 we started working on the Pool and Hydrofoil at the farm.
June 8, 2009 our family headed to Freeland, PA for the funeral of Mary Agnes' Aunt Agnes Maloney. Aunt Agnes will be remembered by all for many different reasons. She was the PA matriarch and each member of the family has their own story to tell. The remainder of June saw maintenance continue at the farm in anticipation of the owners arrival in late July from Germany. This has been a yearly event for the past 13 years.
July 4'th the annual Allen, MD 4'th of July Parade and community picnic took place. If ever in the area on the 4'th, you've got to experience it. July 11'th the pontoon boat went in the water, much to Mary Agnes' delight.
Let me take a moment to tell you about two men who we shall say are, "moving machines". Mid July brought them under our employ for about 5 days. Calvin and Oliver are their names and they drive a 20+ year old pick-em-up truck and will move, remove, or take to the dump what ever you have a need to move. They are an entity unto them selves. Over the years much has been accumulated on the farm and it was now time for it to go. Calvin and Oliver made it go!!!!!!!!!!
Andy from Bavaria arrived on the 17'th of July, his third year to vacation in our Annex, ( garage for the commoner). On a beautiful Sunday afternoon on July 19'th Mary Agnes and I took the pontoon boat out on the river for the year's christening cruise. What a great day! The 21'st saw Billy the boat man come by the farm to work on the Rechberg fleet. Once again, no key to the hydrofoil. Now I wont say this is a yearly occurrence, but it does happen quite frequently. Andy in the meantime is scraping away the 2008 barnacles on the Hydrofoil. Do you know a barnacle is a type of arthropod belonging to infraclass Cirripedia in the subphylum Crustacea, and is hence related to crabs and lobsters? I didn't until I looked it up on Wikopedia.
On August 4'th my Aunt Ruth died in Sarasota, FL. My mother, Ruth's sister was a patient in the same nursing home at the time.
On August 7'th Hubertus arrived from Germany. Saturday morning saw the crane arrive to put the Hydrofoil in the water, Hubert supervised, always an experience. That afternoon we would say good by to Andreas, he was to return home to Wilheim. We shall look forward to his return next year.
On September 1'st I had a farewell beer with Hubertus as we would be leaving the next day for Colorado. "Until next year my friend."
On September 2 via Big Bird we departed for Colorado Springs and Parent's weekend at USAFA. This year we rented a large house, sleeps 20+, in Manatou Springs, CO. We had quite a group, Kathy, Jeff, Abby, Uncle Bob, Aunt Barb, Sarah Palmer, Tommy, Mary Agnes and myself and of course our C3C Samantha. What a great time we all had and even saw what represented it's self as a football game, USAFA - 72, Nichol's state - 0. The beer was cold, the food was cooked and all was good!
After my mothers stay (20 days) in the nursing home she and her husband, aka The Professor went to Sterling, Va to be with my sister Meg. The professor didn't stay long and returned to FL to spend time with my sister Robin. Marie ( Mother) remained with Meg. Marie needed some of her things and Uncle Bob and I made a speed trip to FL to retrieve them. We departed Allen, MD @ 0730 on 09/17, arrived Brunswick, GA 1900 hrs, ate, had a beer and slept. Up 0500 on 09/18, coffee and departure for Sarasota, FL @ 0545, arrived Sarasota 1130 hrs. Packed the van and were back heading north by 1430 hrs. We arrived back at the same Hampton Inn in Brunswick as the night prior @ 1930 hrs. We awoke and headed north @ 0615 and arrived back in Allen at 1815 hrs. on 09/19. No moss grew under our butts on this trip.
For the past 6 months my son in-law Jeff has been pursuing a new career with the State Department in the area of Fire protection. On 09/24 he and I took a trip to DC for him to meet his future Boss. He and I made this same trip 10 years earlier when he applied for a similar position. For a host of reasons, after being offered a position at that time, he did not accept the position when offered it. Things were to be different this time. With Sam grown and off to college, Abby older and soon to be in high school, Jeff would take the big step for his and Kathryn's future and accept this position when offered. You go Boy!
The first weekend of October would be Sea Gull Century weekend and the usual extended family of the Krause and Sappington clan would descend on Allen. A great post race meal and Wine a Thon would take place. Always a high lite for us all. We love them all!
October would bring visits to the Eastern Shore of some old and dear friends from the past. Dave and Marie Gibbs would arrive from Fincastle, VA. Dave and I worked together for a number of years with the Connecticut Sate Police. After Dave's retirement he would move his family to Virginia, work in Virginia's crime lab and together with his wife, started a grape vineyard. Today they are the proud owners of Virginia Mountain Vineyards. Check them out at www.vmvines.com
Next to arrive were Fred and Donna Bird from Ellington, CT. Fred was a Sergeant at Troop C in Stafford Springs, CT in years gone by. Fred has his own Photo Studio and can be found at www.fredbirdphotography.com
With both of these old friends we spent a lot of time remembering times gone by. Friedships makes the past special!
The end of the month saw my sister and brother in-law, Donna and John from Connecticut and their good friends Ray and Shirley from Maine arrive for a guided tour of our Nation's Capitol. I would act as Concierge and tour guide. All the usual places were visited and we even took a night tour in the rain to view the night lights of DC. Although there was a lot of rain, it never dampened the spirit of this six some. On the way home we did Annapolis and St. Michaels.
Also during October Granny and Kathryn were runners in the Marine Corps Marathon and 10 K. Granny did the 10 K and Kathryn for the second time, the Marathon.
Another bit of busyness in October saw the Fiddler/Romspert crew go to Annapolis for the Navy - Air Force Football game. What a pleasant surprise when got we got to the meeting place for us all. Out of the house comes C3C Samantha Berthiaume for a surprise visit from Colorado Springs for the weekend. What a Great Day!!!!!
November 6, 2009 would change our lives dramatically. My mother's stay with my sister in Virginia would come to an end. I drove to Sterling, picked up my mother and we said good by to Meg. We were off to Allen and would see what this new chapter in all our lives would bring. Upon entering the house the aroma of one of Mary Agnes' home cooked meals wafted through the air. It was not until after we ate that we learned this delicious meatloaf was venison.
On day 5 of Marie's move into our home I would depart for Sarasota once again. This time with my mother for the closing of her apartment. We were to meet up with my sister Robin and her sons, Ari and Adam in FL. Marie's husband Bill would now be a patient in a Nursing home in Sarasota. We would rent a car for the trip down, Kia Sportage, quite new and a great ride. My mother would ride in the back so to keep her legs up. The better for the circulation you see. We were to return in my mothers 14 year old Volvo.
We made it to Pooler, GA on night one, got separate rooms in a Marriott and departed on the 12'th for Sarasota arriving there at 1515 hrs. Robin arrived at 1600, stated she was hungry and we had to eat. Robin stayed in the apartment with my mother and I had a rental upstairs which I was to share with Ari and Adam on their arrival the next day.
Friday and Saturday were spent packing, Ari and Adam taking a lot North to jersey. Mom and I would load her Volvo for personal items going to my house. The entire move would be an experience. I shall use restraint and not reflect on my thoughtrs of the experience. On our last day there, all, except myself would visit the Professor in the nursing home. After the visit we would go to Chili's for a Last Supper. I must say, Ari and Adam were two great young men to be around. I look forward to seeing them in the future.
On Sunday the 15'th we were off and heading North once again. We would drive to Santee, SC, spend the night and return home to Allen on Monday the 16'th. We arrived around 1800 and Mary Agnes had homemade Chicken Soup awaiting us. I slept quite well that night.
On the 17'th I was up early and out to the Annex for Coffee and Conversation with Mary Agnes. This was to be our habit for the length of my mother's stay. We all need our own space.
Over the next month my mother settled into her room, my former office. My new office was now in the Annex. I spent quite a few days taking my mother to new doctors here in Maryland. GP's, Cardiologists, Gyn's, Dentists, Foot Doctors, lab appointments and the like. Even a few Scans here and there for one thing or another. All necessary stops on the road to transition from Florida.
Our good friends from Connecticut, Bob and Linda Lataille came by for a respit on their way to NC and Thanksgiving with their daughter Dee. They would return on the 28'th for the trip back north for another overnighter.
Our Traditional Thanksgiving meal was at the farm on the creek. Smaller than usual, it was still a great time. The extended Boward family was there and Scott and Connie Moore were by for coffee after. Of course Samantha was home from USAFA also. No one went home hungry. On 11/28 we all went to Sarah's and watched the Yacht Club Boat Parade from her balcony.
December brought preparation for Santa Claus, and numbing cold that is still here today. My mother was not liking the cold at all. I would be busy at the farm, running faucets and making sure pipes didn't freeze. We did the usual holiday concerts at the schools for Rachael, Abby and Tommy.
On 12/22 Mother went to the ER with Mary Agnes, Kathryn and Sarah, Abdominal pain was the issue. After exam and testing she was to return home with no real diagnosis.
Christmas eve saw us at Kathy & Jeff's for the usual gathering. Christmas saw us go to Sarah's and Kathy's to watch all open gifts. All came to our house in the evening for gift giving. My mother seemed to be enduring the event.
On Saturday we all headed to Lewes to Bobby & Barbara's for the Romspert family Christmas party. Since my mother was with us we did not spend the night this year and were home by 2300.
My nephew Ari came down on the 29'th for a visit with us and his grandmother. He spent the night and seemed to enjoy himself. He brought a bottle of Jack Daniels from he and his brother Adam for me. I have yet to crack it open, but when I do I shall enjoy.
New Years Eve was quiet, Mary Agnes made a great Potato Soup. We went next door and had a beer or two with John and Grace and were in bed before 2200. We must be getting old.
OK my friends and acquaintances, 2009 has come to an end. I shall catch up with January and February in the near future. The times they are a changing. The storms they are a coming. For now I go to the TV and UCONN Basketball. Good day to all.
Here is the T shirt contest winner modeling the Grand Prize. Congratulations Della Baird from Wilmington, NC. Thanks to all of you who participated and helped add a little something extra to the hum of the wheels on the highway.
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