Books Read for 2023

Who Really Discovered America?
The Eiffel Tower
How the Post Office Created America
The Return of the gods
The Path Between the Seas
The Underground Railroad: From Slavery to Freedom
The Things Our Fathers Saw Volume 1-3
Abolition and the Underground Railroad in Vermont
A Magnificent Catastrophe
Survival in Auschwitz - If This is a Man
Founding Fathers

35 Years

For our 35th wedding anniversary, we went to the Berkshires for a three day weekend.  We started our trip Friday with a visit to the Norman Rockwell Museum in Stockbridge.  After our 3 hour visit and a half hour tour, we headed north to Pittsfield to visit the Berkshire Museum and Aquarium for a couple of hours. Dinner was eaten at Patrick's Pub (good prices, good portion, mediocre food) followed by a walk through Radiant Nights at the Hancock Shaker Village.

We stayed in the area at the Holiday Inn Oak and Spruce Resort which is where we spent most of our Saturday morning.  We hit up the activity center playing ping pong, pool, miniature golf, video bowling, and air hockey.  

Saturday afternoon we decided to explore the town of Stockbridge.  We saw the big picture window put in the General Store studio of Norman Rockwell.  We went to the public library's museum room where we learned that Jonathan Edwards had been a pastor in Stockbridge.  They had a walking tour map of Edward sites.  On that walk, we found Norman Rockwell's grave site in the Stockbridge Cemetery.  We also made a stop at the Mission House learning about the Mohican's life in what is now Stockbridge.  A late lunch was had at the Main Street Cafe.

Saturday evening,  we suited up for a quick dip in the pool and a quick soak in the hot tub at the resort's activity center.  As we were leaving the center, we stumbled upon a game of Bingo where we won a nice cache of candy. 

Sunday morning we  packed up with a stop on the way home at the Lee Outlets for a pair of sneakers and two sweaters.

Some Fall A-B-C Activities

A is for automating the station for 10 straight days to end the month of November
B is for Brimfield Flea Market with the Beauchemins September 7
C is candle making on a Saturday for Christmas gifts
D is for decorating for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving
E is for eating Thanksgiving dinner with Tammy as Lizzy was ill with strep throat
F is for a fairly successful fantasy football 2023 season
G is for garage door replacement as old one stopped closing (It was here when we bought house in 2002)

H is for Halloween trick-or-treaters 

I is for IRS 2020 tax resolution vindication after months of  correspondence

J is for jetting Tammy to Chicago for a week of getting Gigi set-up after a stroke

K is for Keurig replacement for one that lasted us close to 15 years

L is for losing Patriot 2023 season

M is for Montana summer vacation second attempt

N is for new station general manager in October

O is for organizing the guestroom closet and desk drawer files over two November weekends

P is for PET Scan in October - my eleventh (which was clear!)

Q

R is raking leaves for 5 straight hours on Thanksgiving weekend

S is for selling items on Facebook Marketplace over the last several months

T is for timing pocket watches over several weeks for selling

U is for using new weekly food delivery (Factor 75) for month of October

V is for a Vermont weekend visit October 20 (Champlain Valley Craft Show)

W is for winterizing cars with snow tires and new wiper blades

X is for 'x'haust fans cleaning

Y is for yet another new oncologist at Baystate - my fourth

Z is for zealously keeping up with this blog

  

Oregon Visit September 2023

We did something different this vacation in that we returned to a place we had stayed at some years before in Rockaway Beach, Oregon.  We did so for several reasons.  The home we rented offers the best of both worlds for us in that you are on a lake; yet, just a short walk across the street, and you are walking on the beach.  Also even though the weather wasn't kind to us the last time with  many overcast rainy days, we did have quite a bit of luck catching trout and getting shellfish.  

This year things reversed themselves.  The weather was great but no fish or shellfish.  We - being Tammy and I along with Jaclyn, Blake, and our three grand kids - did explore the area more this year.  We attended Sunday service at Rockaway Community Church.  We rode the Oregon Coast Scenic Train.  We took a hike to see one of the biggest trees in Oregon with an estimated age between 500 and 900 years.  We went to the Tillamook Cheese factory to see how they made and package their cheese.  While there, we had some cheese curds and Tillamook ice cream.  We ate at Pronto Pup where arguably the corn dog was first made.  We went agate hunting on Tunnel Beach.  Tammy, Jaclyn, and the grand kids all made tie dye shirts.  I soaked in the hot tub one evening and upon closing it back up stumbled upon a unique find - a prince mushroom that is considered both tricky to find and one of the very finest edible fungi.  Blake cooked it up and ate it. We celebrated Tammy's birthday with two Key Lime pies made from scratch by Blake, who did the meal cooking for us during the week.  The girls all went to the Pirate Playground followed by a stop for some cotton candy ice cream.  These activities were added to our previous stay's activities that we did again - walks on the beach, kite flying, playing in the sand, fishing, crabbing, boating, and kayaking. 

Click on the link to see pictures of the week's activities https://photos.app.goo.gl/EKWtPdEZ7NVihY1LA 

Mystic Sail 2023

 Almost 8 years to the day, we set sail again on the Argia.  It was a private sail set up by our financial advisor.  Since we had been before, we were better prepared with sunscreens and hats.  We had planned on spending some time in Mystic after the cruise; however, the heat and humidity causing much sweating put a kabash to that.  Pictures below.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/dkUv3HtB4s9B95C49

Still Taking My Shots

In March of this year, I had a regularly scheduled oncology appointment.  As the icing on the cake, I was sent to get four more immunization shots afterwards.   On Monday, July 17th, I drove to the D'Amour Cancer Center for the sole purpose of getting more immunizations.  I was inoculated six times by two nurses -- three shots in each arm.  I was okay with this as it's not really the shots that hurt.  It's the sore arms 24 hours later that always gets me.  Thank goodness there is ibuprofen.   I believe I have one more set of shots to go in six months.  When I get them, I will be done with everything from my stem cell transplant from November 2021. 

Summer Flowers 2023

 

O Canada - July 2023

On Friday, July 7, Tammy and I headed to the Great White North for a week-long family vacation at Lac Megantic.  It took about 5 hours with a few minute stop at the border.  

We arrived first at the lake house along with several late afternoon thunderstorms.  Our arrival was followed minutes later by the NY Gangwers and the VT Beauchemins.  Lizzy and Stas arrived around 40 minutes later and AJ and Vania an hour or so after that.  The VT grandparents didn't come until Sunday afternoon.

The weekend was warm making for some good lake swimming, dock sitting. hot tubing, and kayaking.  It also made for some warm sleeping for those in the upstairs bedrooms while those of us downstairs were cold.

Saturday and Sunday evenings found everyone in the game room for the ping-pong and pool competitions or in the living room for Switch Golf or Trivial Pursuit, or at the dining room table playing Wizard.  Monday was a rainy day during which we had an escape room competition.  On Tuesday afternoon, we continued the competition outdoors with Can-Jam, Corn Hole, and Washer Toss.  The NY Gangwers as well as Lizzy, Stas, AJ, Vania, Brandon, and Justin headed off early Wednesday to spend the day in Quebec City.  Tammy and I along with the VT Beauchemins did a quick exploration of the town of Lac Megantic. 

On Thursday morning the VT Beauchemins left to help Jordan with his flooded home.  The VT grandparents left early Thursday afternoon after those of us left at the house spent some time down by the lake.  Tammy and most of the girls painted rocks during the day. 

Friday, we left for home adding an hour to our travel time waiting to cross the border. 

Pictures of all the fun are below-

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XVxV5qjkge7Re3up9

Hail, Hail. The Original Gangwer's All Here - VT June 2023

 

Some Late Spring Activities

On May 6th and May 27th, Tammy and I continued our quest to learn about our town of Enfield with two more guided historic walks.  On these walks, we explored the areas of central Thompsonville with the Windsor Locks canal.  This leaves us with just the Hazardville section of town to do.

On June 1-5, we rented a home on Highland Lake in Winsted, CT.   I did a little fishing off the dock that first Thursday night and caught a little blue gill.  The next morning, I did a little more fishing and caught nothing.  Tammy took a kayak trip around the lake.  She also went into the lake to attempt swimming but found it too cold.  The VT Beauchemins arrived around 4pm with three homemade deserts for us to gorge ourselves on for the weekend.  We sat around that evening until rain forced us inside.  Saturday was a cool, drizzly day, so we visited two antique stores we hadn't been to in over 4 years.  We also hit up a flea market where the VT Beauchemins bought some Tonka trucks, Tammy bought a craft for the grand kids, and I bought a game.  We ate lunch at the New Hartford Diner.  Upon arriving home, we spent the next six hours playing my newly purchased game - the Cattlemen - which Alan won.  Late Sunday morning, the VT Beauchemins left and Tammy and I attempted a camp fire in the afternoon.  When that didn't work out so well, I attempted more fishing and came up empty handed yet again.  Monday morning we left with a stop on the way home at the Barkhamsted Reservoir. 

Saturday, June 17, Tammy and I made a visit to the Vintage Radio and Communications Museum in East Windsor.  Originally, we were told that no docents were available for guided tours as they had a swap meet going on that day as well.  Fortunate for us, it began to rain causing the swap meet to end early and allowing us to have a three hour or so guided tour of the museum.  It was very informative and interesting.  They had several items I had never seen such as magnetic wire, the six inch cassette tape and player, and a Westrex III player and cassettes.   We also learned where phrases such as "Put a sock in it" and "the limelight" most likely originated.  

https://photos.app.goo.gl/PvJDAp83QwX3ygrw9

A Double "S"aturday

On Saturday, May 13, Tammy and I headed out for the Naval Submarine Base in New London to visit the free "s"ubmarine museum.  Upon arriving, we learned that a submarine was coming into port, so we went out and watched it head up the Thames River to its base.  We then spent the next four hours reading and watching films about the history of submarines and their adoption and use by the US Navy.  

On our way to check in to our hotel for that night we went looking for a place to eat and ended up in downtown Norwich at an Irish place named the Harp and Dragon.  Tammy had a prime rib sandwich and I had a Reuben.  It was then off to the Hilltop Inn and Suites to check in and catch the shuttle to  our next stop.

At 5:30pm we boarded the hotel shuttle for Foxwoods Casino where we attended the "S"tyx concert.  We originally had tickets back in 2022 to see Styx and Survivor in concert, but Covid happened and need I say more.  

Pictures of the day can be seen here https://photos.app.goo.gl/hFi8D3odxbmgH6xq8 

Five Museums and a Wedding

On Saturday morning, April 22, Tammy and I boarded a Delta flight for Indianapolis and a mid-west vacation.  Upon arrival, we hit the ground running, meeting Tammy's parents at the Indiana War Memorial.  The free memorial museum covered all the wars from the French and Indian War to Afghanistan.  The museum housed many artifacts and firearms from each war and contained so much information to read that it would take several days to read everything.  We spent about four hours in covering it.  The night was spent at a VRBO townhome in the St. Joseph Historic Neighborhood section of Indianapolis.  Tammy's brother Chad joined us that evening.

On Sunday, we headed to the most famous Indy sight - the Indy 500.  Located in Speedway, we had a "golf cart"  tour of the actual track and its grounds.  Our tour guide was a wealth of information.  The tour pass allowed us entry into the Indy 500's museum housing many of the winning cars from Indy races.  The tour is a definite must when in Indianapolis - even if you're not a race fan.  After lunch at Dawson's on Main, Chad returned to IL, and Tammy's parents and we began the trip to Florence, KY for our next adventures.

From our home base VRBO condo in Florence, KY, we went Monday to the Creation Museum in Petersburg, KY.  We got there first thing in the morning and spent the next five hours reading and watching much information on Biblical creation.  We stopped at City Barbecue on our way home where we ordered the Motherload - a sampling of all the meats with six sides to choose.  Needless to say, we needed doggie bags.

On Tuesday, we went the opposite direction from our previous day's travel toward Williamstown, KY for a visit to the Ark.  Here we spent another five hours reading and watching all the information provided about the Ark - actual facts and those assumed.  Dinner was yesterday's doggie bags.

Wednesday, Tammy and I took an Uber into Cincinnati to visit the National Underground Railroad Museum.  Here, too, we spent about five hours reading and watching all the museum had to offer.   For dinner, we ate at A Taste of Belgium.  We then burned some of the calories from our waffle meals by crossing the Ohio River on a bridge that John Roebling built.  Roebling was later given the contract for the Brooklyn Bridge which his son Washington built.  We replaced the bridge-burnt calories plus added more with some gelato from Golden Gelato in Covington, KY.

Thursday was a rest day for Grandpa Kelly and I.  Tammy and her mom did some local shopping bringing us back dinner from the Thai Tea House.  Friday, we all traveled back to Indianapolis where Tammy and I were dropped off at the airport to pick up a car while Tammy's parents traveled back to IL.

Once we got our car, Tammy and I drove to Beach Grove, IN to visit with my sister Randi and her whole family.  This was the true reason for our mid-west visit.  Randi's daughter was getting married.  My sister Robin was up from NC for the wedding and soon the VT grandparents and Rachelle and Alan arrived.  We were treated to a lot of good eating while there - Jersey Mike subs and some New York style pizza. 

Friday night was spent in an airbnb home in Noblesville, IN with the VT grandparents, Rachelle, and Alan.   We spent Saturday just hanging out here until the Madison's outdoor wedding that afternoon at the Crystal Coop.

The wedding ceremony was done by Madison's brother Dom adding a very personal touch.  The venue was nice, and the food was some of the best catered food I've had.  I was very impressed with the level of attentiveness by the venue staff.  The coup de grace of the day however had to be the rain holding off until two minutes after the ceremony.  The skies then opened for the next several hours.

Sunday morning we left Indianapolis and got home around 12:30pm.

Pictures of the trip 

 

Synopsis of Recent Happenings

Saturday, January 28th, Tammy flew to Milwaukee for work training and visited her parents for several days while out there.

Saturday, February 11th, all the New England Gangwers headed to VT to attended Alan's 60th birthday party.   It was Italian themed food with catering by Olive Garden, homemade lasagnas, cheese breads, and an Italian soda bar. 

Friday, February 17th, Pastor Tim came over for dinner from Kebob House and a game of Ticket to Ride (which I won for the first time ever).  Lizzy and Stas came over the next day, and we played Ticket to Ride with them.  Lizzy and I tied for the win.   

Saturday, March 4th, Tammy and I went to eat at Theodore's in MA before going to a MercyMe concert with Micah Tyler and Taya at Symphony Hall.

Weekend of March 25th, Rachelle and Alan along with VT grandparents visited us to celebrate March 10th's news of a clean lymphoma scan.  Rachelle made for us a triple chocolate bundt cake, chocolate toffee bars, and a coffee cake.  For dinner, we ate Ann's pizza followed in the morning by breakfast at Cracker Barrel.  The afternoon was spent playing an escape room game.

Weekend of April 1st, Tammy did a 2K Syrup Stampede walk for charity,  and I attended a class on hunting turkey. 

April 7th, Easter weekend, I did some yard work and putting out of the Spring/Summer garden/yard ornaments as I had off Friday.  Tammy and I watched the free streaming Sight and Sound production of Jesus. Lizzy and Stas came over for Easter ham dinner and our Easter candy from mom on Saturday.  Easter Sunday service finished off the weekend.

Picture links below:

Alan's Birthday

MercyMe Concert

Some Really Good News

Where I work, we have a Good News Verse of the day that follows our news and weather updates.  A part- time weekend announcer likes to end her news and weather broadcast with the phrase "and now some really good news" at which time she plays the Good News Verse.   Well, I am stealing her phrase for this blog.  But before "some really good news", a little background is necessary.

On December 19th, I had my one year from stem cell transplant PET scan.   The results showed some tiny nodes with uptake in both armpits and on both sides of the neck.   However, due to my having received 7 immunizations two weeks earlier, there was some thought these could be the cause for the nodes activity.  It was decided another PET scan would be scheduled three months later to double check.

Fast forward three months. and on March 6th, I had the PET scan.  Then on March 10th, I had an appointment with my oncologist who had "some really good news" - she felt that since there had been no change in the previous active nodes that these were not a re-occurrence of the cancer. 

After receiving this "really good news", I then headed to my next scheduled appointment to have two immunizations.

The Wilds of Our Suburban Yard

Those that have read earlier blogs know of the many birds that have visited our backyard.  Recently, I installed a Ring camera floodlight overlooking the driveway that has opened up a whole new world of animal sightings.

In the past, we have seen the following animals/birds in/from our backyard during the day:  garter snakes, toads, tree frogs, chipmunk, squirrels, moles, bobcat, turkeys, rabbits, a mangy red fox, a deer, owl, hawks, grey heron, and bald eagle. The Ring camera has caught the following animals while we slept:  skunk, opossum, pair of grey foxes, and a black cat. 

Sighted Animals https://photos.app.goo.gl/D67isquuZVtQsMLg9