Saturday, November 25, 2017
Friday, November 10, 2017
Final Reads for 2017
Usually I take a break from reading once Spring and Summer arrive, this year was different. I did not set the books aside but kept reading throughout the whole year. Below are the books have I read since my last post on reading earlier this year.
Prayer and Praying Men by E.M. Bounds
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Memoirs of Chief Red Fox
Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America by Eric Jay Dolin
Fur, Fortune, and Empire by Eric Jay Dolin
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Side
The Essential of Prayer by E.M. Bounds
The Great Influenza by John M. Barry
The Great Mortality by John Kelly
The Longest Winter by Katherine Lampbert
The Economic Transformation of America: 1600 to the Present
Prayer and Praying Men by E.M. Bounds
Empire of the Summer Moon by S.C. Gwynne
The Last Stand by Nathaniel Philbrick
The Memoirs of Chief Red Fox
Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America by Eric Jay Dolin
Fur, Fortune, and Empire by Eric Jay Dolin
Blood and Thunder by Hampton Side
The Essential of Prayer by E.M. Bounds
The Great Influenza by John M. Barry
The Great Mortality by John Kelly
The Longest Winter by Katherine Lampbert
The Economic Transformation of America: 1600 to the Present
Wednesday, October 18, 2017
The Garden State 2017
On Friday, October 13, Tammy and I left CT early in the morning and headed south on I-95 for a weekend visit to NJ. We headed to Cape May to spend the day exploring the town. We had breakfast at Uncle Bill's Pancake House. We then walked on the beach to kill some time before our trolley tour of the Victorian houses that populate the town. The tour also included a guided tour of the Psysick Estate. After the tour, we walked the shops at Washington Street Mall and paid a visit to the Cape May lightouse.
That evening we headed back north to Atlantic City for dinner at Phillips Seafood and the hotel where we were spending the next two nights on the boardwalk. On Saturday we "explored" what there was of the boardwalk, watched a little of a surfing contest, and climbed the Abescon Lighthouse - the third tallest lighthouse in the US. (The lighthouse keeper was a wealth of information concerning Atlantic City as he has lived in the area since 1956.) We then took a Jitney to the Borgata Hotel for the Michael Carbonaro Live show. Saturday ended with dinner at the Cuba Libra at the Tropicana.
Sunday morning we headed back home and made it in time for Sunday football.
For pictures of our adventure click on the following link -- https://photos.app.goo.gl/Oc08PEdVcl2pVTju1
That evening we headed back north to Atlantic City for dinner at Phillips Seafood and the hotel where we were spending the next two nights on the boardwalk. On Saturday we "explored" what there was of the boardwalk, watched a little of a surfing contest, and climbed the Abescon Lighthouse - the third tallest lighthouse in the US. (The lighthouse keeper was a wealth of information concerning Atlantic City as he has lived in the area since 1956.) We then took a Jitney to the Borgata Hotel for the Michael Carbonaro Live show. Saturday ended with dinner at the Cuba Libra at the Tropicana.
Sunday morning we headed back home and made it in time for Sunday football.
For pictures of our adventure click on the following link -- https://photos.app.goo.gl/Oc08PEdVcl2pVTju1
Saturday, September 23, 2017
West Coast Vacation 2017
On Sunday, August 27 at 2am, we left Enfield, CT for Logan Airport for our direct flight to Portland, OR to begin our week long vacation on the Oregon Coast. We rented a home and studio in Seal Rock for a vacation with Jaclyn, Blake, and Lillian from OR; Lizzy and Stas from CT; and Grandpa and Grandma Kelly and Uncle Chad from IL.
We began our road journey to the coast on Monday afternoon going over the Coastal Range of OR via Route 20 stopping in Newport to visit the town and see the sea lions. We arrived Monday around 4pm to begin the vacation of what turned out to be glorious weather with temperatures of 50s for lows at night and highs of 70s for the afternoon and no rain.
We enjoyed many days of just walking on the beach checking out the tidal pools. When not walking on the beach, we enjoyed the beautiful views the home afforded of the coast and watching for seal and whale sightings. Many nights were filled with the playing of games such as poker, Catan, and a new game we learned Organ Attack.
Several days were filled with special activities. Blake, Stas, and myself went crabbing two mornings off the pier at the bay in Newport providing a lunch and breakfast with our catch. One afternoon, everyone but Grandpa Kelly visited the Oregon Aquarium in Newport. One day, Tammy, Lizzy, Stas, Jaclyn, and myself went to Florence to ride horses on the beach. Another day, we traveled to Depoe Bay and did some whale watching from shore and visited a local lighthouse. Towards the end of the week, Tammy, Grandma Kelly, and myself visited the shops in Waldport, Seal Rock and Newport. Lizzy, Stas, and Uncle Chad made a special trip south to CA to visit the Redwoods. One night, we made smores on the beach.
As is true with all good things, the trip came to an end on Monday finding us taking the red eye back home.
P.S. And it wasn't any easier leaving this time than it was in February. (See previous post)
Photos of our trip can be seen by clicking on the following link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dy5dYnd4MxI3vc8h2
We began our road journey to the coast on Monday afternoon going over the Coastal Range of OR via Route 20 stopping in Newport to visit the town and see the sea lions. We arrived Monday around 4pm to begin the vacation of what turned out to be glorious weather with temperatures of 50s for lows at night and highs of 70s for the afternoon and no rain.
We enjoyed many days of just walking on the beach checking out the tidal pools. When not walking on the beach, we enjoyed the beautiful views the home afforded of the coast and watching for seal and whale sightings. Many nights were filled with the playing of games such as poker, Catan, and a new game we learned Organ Attack.
Several days were filled with special activities. Blake, Stas, and myself went crabbing two mornings off the pier at the bay in Newport providing a lunch and breakfast with our catch. One afternoon, everyone but Grandpa Kelly visited the Oregon Aquarium in Newport. One day, Tammy, Lizzy, Stas, Jaclyn, and myself went to Florence to ride horses on the beach. Another day, we traveled to Depoe Bay and did some whale watching from shore and visited a local lighthouse. Towards the end of the week, Tammy, Grandma Kelly, and myself visited the shops in Waldport, Seal Rock and Newport. Lizzy, Stas, and Uncle Chad made a special trip south to CA to visit the Redwoods. One night, we made smores on the beach.
As is true with all good things, the trip came to an end on Monday finding us taking the red eye back home.
P.S. And it wasn't any easier leaving this time than it was in February. (See previous post)
Photos of our trip can be seen by clicking on the following link
https://photos.app.goo.gl/dy5dYnd4MxI3vc8h2
Tuesday, September 12, 2017
A Mixed Bag
Parenting is filled with many emotional moments. There is the joyful birth of the healthy baby, the first smile, the first giggle, the first full night of sleeping more than 3-4 hours, the first "ma-ma" and "da-da", the first birthday, the first steps, and the first successful potty trip to name but a few.
The moments seem to come quickly those first few years then begin to level off with each passing year. There is the first day of school, some highlights from youth sports, dance classes, school programs, academic accomplishments, church activities, etc. Then before anyone realizes it, high school graduation has taken place and college is begun. A happy time -- yes, but it's just one of the next several occasions that bring a mixed bag of emotions for parents.
After dropping off Jaclyn for college and then Elizabeth two years later, it hit me that parenting as I had known it was changing. What every parent dreams off when their child is at home -- some peace and quiet with time to yourself -- I now had achieved. But I found it wasn't as grand and glorious as dreamed. There was the loss of the ability for that daily interaction with them and a deeper knowledge that this was just the beginning. Fortunately, college semesters are only about 4 months long and upon each return daily living would revert to its status quo as had been known before they left.
Then came the next occasion -- their marriages. Once again an emotion packed event. Happiness for them in the start of this part of their life but a knowledge now that things were really going to be different. They were leaving home and the house I came home to daily would reflect that. Peace and quiet was all that was to be had now. I had all the time I wanted to myself. But what I wouldn't give some times to have Jaclyn sleeping on the couch on a Sunday afternoon as I watched football and pull the pillow out from under her, or to come home from work and go wake up Elizabeth from sleeping the day away or pulling off her slipper or sock as she sat on the couch and throw it out the front door.
A third occasion happened just recently with the birth of Lillian Grace. So happy for Jaclyn and Blake and the healthy yet trying delivery. A great time visiting them as was mentioned in the previous blog post, but then comes the sad time to leave knowing it will be quite some time before you see the grandbaby again and the changes that will take place during that time you will miss.
It's been asked, Parenting, will it be easy? Nope. Will it be worth it? Absolutely! Here's to the next many years of the mixed bag of emotions that parenthood will bring Tammy and I.
The moments seem to come quickly those first few years then begin to level off with each passing year. There is the first day of school, some highlights from youth sports, dance classes, school programs, academic accomplishments, church activities, etc. Then before anyone realizes it, high school graduation has taken place and college is begun. A happy time -- yes, but it's just one of the next several occasions that bring a mixed bag of emotions for parents.
After dropping off Jaclyn for college and then Elizabeth two years later, it hit me that parenting as I had known it was changing. What every parent dreams off when their child is at home -- some peace and quiet with time to yourself -- I now had achieved. But I found it wasn't as grand and glorious as dreamed. There was the loss of the ability for that daily interaction with them and a deeper knowledge that this was just the beginning. Fortunately, college semesters are only about 4 months long and upon each return daily living would revert to its status quo as had been known before they left.
Then came the next occasion -- their marriages. Once again an emotion packed event. Happiness for them in the start of this part of their life but a knowledge now that things were really going to be different. They were leaving home and the house I came home to daily would reflect that. Peace and quiet was all that was to be had now. I had all the time I wanted to myself. But what I wouldn't give some times to have Jaclyn sleeping on the couch on a Sunday afternoon as I watched football and pull the pillow out from under her, or to come home from work and go wake up Elizabeth from sleeping the day away or pulling off her slipper or sock as she sat on the couch and throw it out the front door.
A third occasion happened just recently with the birth of Lillian Grace. So happy for Jaclyn and Blake and the healthy yet trying delivery. A great time visiting them as was mentioned in the previous blog post, but then comes the sad time to leave knowing it will be quite some time before you see the grandbaby again and the changes that will take place during that time you will miss.
It's been asked, Parenting, will it be easy? Nope. Will it be worth it? Absolutely! Here's to the next many years of the mixed bag of emotions that parenthood will bring Tammy and I.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Adventure Times
Monday's through Friday's is work time -- we go to our jobs, do our weekly chores such as grass cutting, laundry, cooking, cleaning, etc. Then comes the weekend -- adventure time.
On Saturdays, we try to travel somewhere for a fun visit. We have recently traveled to the Elephant Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT which is featured on the show Flea Market Flip. We have also traveled to new-to-us antique shops in Palmer, MA; Coventry, Plainsville, and Plantsville, CT. Sundays have been reserved for church attendance and visiting open houses with Lizzy and Stas as they look for a house.
Memorial Day weekend we went to VT for a visit. We attended the Essex Junction Memorial Day parade. Later in the day we visited two antique stores near South Hero, VT. This coming weekend of June 30th, Tammy and I are planning to visit my parent's camper at Keeler's Bay on Lake Champlain for a weekend of relaxation.
On Saturdays, we try to travel somewhere for a fun visit. We have recently traveled to the Elephant Trunk Flea Market in New Milford, CT which is featured on the show Flea Market Flip. We have also traveled to new-to-us antique shops in Palmer, MA; Coventry, Plainsville, and Plantsville, CT. Sundays have been reserved for church attendance and visiting open houses with Lizzy and Stas as they look for a house.
Memorial Day weekend we went to VT for a visit. We attended the Essex Junction Memorial Day parade. Later in the day we visited two antique stores near South Hero, VT. This coming weekend of June 30th, Tammy and I are planning to visit my parent's camper at Keeler's Bay on Lake Champlain for a weekend of relaxation.
Friday, May 5, 2017
Ron's Reads for 2017
Blazing a Wagon Trail to Oregon by Lloyd Coffman
The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey by Rinker Buck
Hitler's Cross by Erwin Lutzer
Rescuing the Gospel: The Story and Significance of the Reformation by Erwin Lutzer
Killing the Rising Sun by Bill O'Reilly
How We Got to Now by Steven Johnson
Island at the Center of the World by Russell Shorts
Rocky Mountain Mining Camps: The Urban Frontier by Duanne A Smith
With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray
Power through Prayer by E.M Bounds
Colossus by Michael Hiltzik
A Description of New Netherland by Adreaen van der Donck
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Our Grandbaby
On February 22, the moment many of us had been waiting nine months to happen happened. Baby Lillian Grace was born into this world. Mommy had a rough go of it as Lillian did not want to leave and did her best to make it difficult to come out but out she came -- all 21 inches and 10lbs 6ozs of her.
Tammy and I were able to go visit the new one on Tuesday, March 7th. I was able to stay a week exactly because a winter storm back home cancelled my original flight. Tammy was able to spend two weeks.
We would get to the house in the morning and leave in the evening. We mainly spent our time holding her knowing the time we had with her was short, and we wanted to take advantage of every moment. (Jaclyn and Blake were probably glad when we left so they could have some time with Lillian.)
The first Sunday we were there, Lillian attended her first of what no doubt will be many church services. She did what all good Baptists do -- sit in the back row and sleep. Another day (when it was raining which it did for all but two of the days I was there), we ventured out for a little walk to and through their nearby mall. We also took a day trip to Salem where Lillian visited her first clock shop and went to several antique stores in the city. She seemed to like it as she was very well behaved. We ended our time in Salem at the Court Street Dairy Lunch where as we were wrapping up eating, she let us know she wanted to eat as well.
I left on Wednesday, March 15, and Tammy stayed behind for another week staying at Blake and Jaclyn's apartment getting as much Lillian time as possible. Again on a day when the sun made a rare appearance, Jaclyn, Tammy, and Lillian walked to a nearby walking trail and enjoyed some outside time.
Tammy was to leave early Tuesday morning and rather than subject anyone to an early wake up and ride to the airport, a hotel room was booked in Portland for all. It's a good thing Jaclyn purchased an SUV some years back. Lots of stuff to pack for a baby's overnight stay. While in Portland, Lillian visited another mall and by all accounts was well behaved throughout the night at the hotel.
Tammy flew out that Tuesday morning; thus ending our first visit with our grandbaby Lillian and leading to my next blog in a couple of weeks.
Click on this link to see pictures of Lillian we took while visiting.
Tammy and I were able to go visit the new one on Tuesday, March 7th. I was able to stay a week exactly because a winter storm back home cancelled my original flight. Tammy was able to spend two weeks.
We would get to the house in the morning and leave in the evening. We mainly spent our time holding her knowing the time we had with her was short, and we wanted to take advantage of every moment. (Jaclyn and Blake were probably glad when we left so they could have some time with Lillian.)
The first Sunday we were there, Lillian attended her first of what no doubt will be many church services. She did what all good Baptists do -- sit in the back row and sleep. Another day (when it was raining which it did for all but two of the days I was there), we ventured out for a little walk to and through their nearby mall. We also took a day trip to Salem where Lillian visited her first clock shop and went to several antique stores in the city. She seemed to like it as she was very well behaved. We ended our time in Salem at the Court Street Dairy Lunch where as we were wrapping up eating, she let us know she wanted to eat as well.
I left on Wednesday, March 15, and Tammy stayed behind for another week staying at Blake and Jaclyn's apartment getting as much Lillian time as possible. Again on a day when the sun made a rare appearance, Jaclyn, Tammy, and Lillian walked to a nearby walking trail and enjoyed some outside time.
Tammy was to leave early Tuesday morning and rather than subject anyone to an early wake up and ride to the airport, a hotel room was booked in Portland for all. It's a good thing Jaclyn purchased an SUV some years back. Lots of stuff to pack for a baby's overnight stay. While in Portland, Lillian visited another mall and by all accounts was well behaved throughout the night at the hotel.
Tammy flew out that Tuesday morning; thus ending our first visit with our grandbaby Lillian and leading to my next blog in a couple of weeks.
Click on this link to see pictures of Lillian we took while visiting.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
An Icey Baby Shower in Oregon
For Christmas, Tammy's dad purchased her and Lizzy airline tickets so they could go to Jaclyn's baby shower in Oregon on Saturday, January 7. They left Hartford early Thursday morning and had a layover in Chicago where Grandma Kelly joined them for the next leg of the flight to Portland.
They all arrived just in time to endure what I have been told is a rare weekend of snow and freezing rain in Albany. Jaclyn's baby shower had to be cancelled due to inclement weather on Saturday. It was rescheduled for Sunday afternoon, and though the weather was still dicey, the shower was held.
Pictures can be found by clicking on this sentence
Monday's return flight from Portland was delayed because of the weather causing Tammy and Lizzy to miss their connecting flight from Chicago to Hartford. No problem though. Grandma Kelly was with them, so they went home with her and spent the night at the IL Grandparents. Tammy and Lizzy caught a flight the next day arriving home that afternoon.
They all arrived just in time to endure what I have been told is a rare weekend of snow and freezing rain in Albany. Jaclyn's baby shower had to be cancelled due to inclement weather on Saturday. It was rescheduled for Sunday afternoon, and though the weather was still dicey, the shower was held.
Pictures can be found by clicking on this sentence
Monday's return flight from Portland was delayed because of the weather causing Tammy and Lizzy to miss their connecting flight from Chicago to Hartford. No problem though. Grandma Kelly was with them, so they went home with her and spent the night at the IL Grandparents. Tammy and Lizzy caught a flight the next day arriving home that afternoon.
Thursday, January 5, 2017
Christmas 2016
For Christmas this year, I thought we would have a real tree. Putting away the fake tree after Christmas was not something I wanted to do. I ordered a tree online that would be delivered to my front door as I had done in the past. Unfortunately, I ordered one that was too small. So I gave it to the neighbors, and on Saturday, December 3, Tammy, Lizzy, Stas, and I decorated the fake tree. We also decorated the house for the season.
On Christmas Eve, we had Stas's mom and brother over for dinner.
My parents, AJ and Vania, and Lizzy and Stas spent the New Year's weekend at our house. Everyone arrived Friday evening. On New Year's Eve, we went to the 3 antique stores in Palmer, MA and had dinner at the Steamin Tender. I did not make it to midnight though I hear AJ, Vania, Lizzy, Stas, and my dad did. Sunday we went to church and then spent the rest of the day watching football. Everyone left Monday morning.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)