Mungerphut

August 14, 2011

2011-08-14T19:47:00.001-07:00

First thing, Win went for a walk with meg and her dogs and her kids. All day, we unpacked and rearranged things. The house is coming together gradually. It's a good time to consolidate things and throw stuff out too. O hung out with Harry. Miles skated a little. It rained pretty hard. O and I made a trip to Walmart. Gift certificate cash in. Also office depot where they need a new roof. Miles and I had dinner at the hotel. Slow service. I labored over the imaginary baseball game, four years since I touched it. I'd like to give it another try. I always enjoyed the puzzle of it.

June 18, 2011

2011-06-20T18:06:00.001-07:00

Win, La, Meg, Shelby, and Johanna went kayaking from Watsontown to our house. They had fun. Toby, Trip, and Rex plus all of the rest of us greeted them at the landing. Win and the girls later went to Shelby's for drinks and dinner and drank way too much.

Earlier in the day, we drove out first thing to Woodward and picked up Miles. He hurts and is bruised and sore. But he had a great time, made a lots of friends and skated constantly. It was fun to catch up and learn about what he did.

A nice day overall. Everybody stayed up too late.

June 13, 2011

2011-06-15T03:56:00.001-07:00

Monday and a tired drag self back to work day. We bid La goodbye. She will be back later this week. O was so happy to have his momma home. During the day-- no school! It's summer!-- O played with Cooper and Harry. After dinner in the evening we all went for a walk to the park. Nice time, bunch of kids there. Toby is nuts for the squirrels.

June 12, 2011

2011-06-15T03:51:00.001-07:00

We had a wonderful breakfast with friends at the General Lewis Inn in Lewisburg, French toast and potatoes. Then good-byes to the bride and groom and friends. Win and I visited the Greenbrier and explored it's grounds. A fine place, a jewel in the state's crown for sure. But ahead of us a long drive through Virginia. We listened to some choice albums. Back home, Miles arrived at Camp Woodward for a week of skating. He's stoked. La took him over to camp on Sunday. Win and arrived home at 7 afte a day driving, happy to see O and the dogs.

June 11, 2011

2011-06-13T15:55:00.001-07:00

Where am I? What day is it? Oh it's Saturday and I'm on the couch in Morgantown. Win and I alone, the boys back home with La. We hit the road for Lewisburg, WV. long drive but we eventually got there and had a lovely lunch at the Stardust Cafe in town. We checked into the General Lewis Inn, an old old place where Jefferson once stayed. We got all niced up and hit the road for Alderson and the farm. Rebecca and Ted's wedding. Lovely ceremony. Hot but clear and a beautiful evening. Krista was there with Trish. The Mascaris too. Erica and Ryan. Fun times. Music and food and some homemade beer. Back to our room. Slept hard.

June 10, 2011

2011-06-12T06:00:00.001-07:00

Friday, and I was in my office at my desk for the first time in a while. But not for long. Back home, Win packed Miles for skateboard camp and us for WV. We hit the road for Morgantown for a quick stop, just she and I with La taking care of the boys. All the dogs are happy to see each other. Attended supper club at 123 and spoke with Hollis, an old friend. Saw lots of folks, including Jim March, the world's greatest bartender. Hung out with the Antonini family and Steve. Note: if you want to play Croce songs on the Gene's jukebox, it is disc 70.

June 9, 2011

2011-06-09T20:00:00.001-07:00

Breakfast at the Metropolitan Club up north of me. Packed up, read about Burma, and braved the heat--89 degrees at 9 am! Sweated bad. The MC is a tired place, but eggs and potatoes hit the spot. Nice convo too with good folks. Then to a meeting on 59th street with the higher ups. Productive if not promising. In the car, the temp hit 100 and I escaped to Pennsylvania and to home. Took a nap at a hotel parking lot, the windows down, the heat in waves, succumbed to sleep over Dickens narration. Refreshed I headed home and the dog went apeshit when he saw me. So we hit the river, cut the grass, and took a walk. Then win came home with the boys, everyone beat.

June 8, 2011

2011-06-09T19:52:00.001-07:00

I woke in New York in the middle of the city, 54th street. I had lunch with Dave and it was a great conversation. He's a good dude and generous with his time. It was hot, as in fry an egg hot. I walked jangly and slow in my suit down south, cased the neighborhood Cold War style, and met Dana S for coffee, myself hot and she iced. We chatted pleasantly and I likely talked too much in retrospect. Dogs, kids, gabfests, home, and Twitter. Such a nice time to meet new folk and share sips of coffee amidst the commerce and culture, the people and the skyscrapers. Walked to my rented spot and frankly I took a nap and I'm not ashamed to admit it. I am a napper. I woke disoriented and anxious so I went to Central Park and watched people play softball, wondering what would happen if someone didn't show up and they needed someone else to play, an extra perhaps. ... Had bad food for dinner and tucked in exhausted. Folded memories of the city and it's people over and over in my head like kneading dough, until it shaped a bed and I physical and mental lay down in it.

June 7, 2011

2011-06-08T17:14:00.001-07:00

Toby! He is back! He came from next door and we were all so happy to see him. And he too was happy to see us. Turned in circles. Jumped up. Lay his head on my lap. Curled at my feet. But then i had to leave for three days, so sad. Sad. Off to New York. Meetings in the afternoon and then a lovely BBQ with Michael R. Great to catch up and enjoy good food and a good ol friend.

June 6, 2011

2011-06-08T17:08:00.001-07:00

At the beach. I was up at four to vet work done so I could get it out of the way and sown the day in the sane. No wifi. No pens. So I got gas and hit the store for provisions and pens. My battery died at McDonald while checking emails and sending them out. Win made crepes and we got some delicious donuts that made our mouths sing. Then we got to the beach. O and I had a great time, little boy time in the sand and waves when the usual is just the beginning of fun and everything we do is imbued with the imaginary. Maggie and O had fun too. Sand castles with villages and flood walls and roads. Engineers of a community born to expire within the day. Such fun. Good lunch. We headed home, me The Napper, Win The Driver. Lancaster, Harrisburg, Lewisburg. Toby? Asleep next door. Reunions tomorrow.

June 5, 2011

2011-06-08T16:57:00.001-07:00

We woke in wet Norfolk. We ate breakfast in a wet diner in wet Norfolk. We departed, headed north. Said g'bye over the phone to family. Our next stop-- Bethany Beach. We arrived and visited Tim, Catharine, and Maggie, nice enough to host us a day and Miles all week. We had a easy drive there and a nice walk on the boardwalk. Once we were all together we ventured beachward, overcast and hot. The water was coooooold but we swam. We made sand things. We had a big dinner at a seafood place and we slept, grateful travelers.

June 4, 2011

2011-06-05T10:08:00.001-07:00

We woke and packed up the car with the black luggage thing on top. So begins our journey. Winnie and I were accompanied by an angry boy and a tired young man, both of whom we know well. Route 15 to Frederick, through the Harrisburg, the city of hope. We swan upstream on the DC beltway and liberated ourselves onto 95. Richmond, capital of the CSA! Traffic. Then Norfolk. O listened to Charlie Bone, book 2, and he loved it.
Miles and I listened to the Best Show, a privilege of driving.

At our hotel, we saw Jean and her girls and then Sue and Ben at the hotel pool. We went into the suburbs and celebrated Ned's navy career, twenty years around the world and at the helm of our most sophisticated tools of war and peace. Bob, Maggie, George, Verna, Chalres, and Lena. The boys played with cousins from the east coast. We crashed in the room, dead tired people.

June 3, 2011

2011-06-05T09:56:00.001-07:00

A busy day at work, ten-hour day and still behind. Was at work for a party thing until after midnight chatting with folks. Win cleaned up at home, much needed. Boys had their last day of school in fact because they are skipping their last half day on stupid Monday. Today's weather was the most beautiful day of the year, except perhaps for yesterday, and when I saw Pete Macky on campus I told him so. Cool, breezy, sunny.

June 1, 2011

2011-06-02T04:35:00.001-07:00

The day again was super hot. In the evening, we all went to Huffnagle Park and listened to the middle school jazz band perform. Miles is getting his range back. Aiden and Harry both had solos. It was a beautiful night. We had a blanket on the grass. Toby was chill. We were later joined by Abbey, C, and Emily. O played with friends all over the place and wandered down to Harry's. He came in late, no homework in these waning days of school. Toby has changed. He sat for 20 minutes in the back yard looking at the tree, watching squirrels, a new behavior.

May 31, 2011

2011-05-31T19:55:00.001-07:00

Another hot as hot day. I walked to work but hung out in the morning at the bookstore with a cup of coffee. Got lots done. Winnie went tonI's field day. They did lots of cool competitions and games. O came in 7th in the race around school. His drawing of the class's names, including a picture of mountains and a penguin, won as the back cover for the class yearbook. Immediately after school, we all went swimming except Miles. He skated. Win went to Lottie's. I tool the boys to The Fence, my first time. Quanit. Cheap. Not bad. Beautiful spot. O and I watched the XMen movie, first one.

May 30, 2011

2011-05-30T16:34:00.001-07:00

Jeff Ryan and I worked on the stairs to the apartment. We have been planning on putting up new paneling and we did it. Looks great. Took all day. And it was hot, 90 degrees and sticky hot. Miles hung out with Frankie and Zak and then with Addie and Alyx. O was with Max and Kyle. In the morning, we had biscuit, egg, sausage, bacon, and cheese sammitches and they were delicious. The house looks great. Left for Lburg at 5, too late. Getting home real late.

May 14, 2011

2011-05-15T07:11:00.000-07:00

A big day. O had soccer and his team won 3-1. He did well on offense. So hard to score. Great matchup. They play Wyeth's team. So I hung out with Finn during the game. After that we went with Abbey and little C to Knoebels, a big amusement park. Overcast and cool so it was not much crowded. We all went on the ferris wheel and it was fun. Then Win and Miles went on big scary rides while we other folks went on smaller rides or just watched people. Admission is free And rides are inexpensive. It rained a bit and Win was cold so we left after a few hours. Then Win and I went to Shelby's graduation party. Great porch and lots of people and music. Win made several desserts-- a tart, German chocolate cake and a trifle. All delicious. Came home late. Toby attended too but the drums scared him.

May 4, 2011

2011-05-04T19:17:00.001-07:00

Star Wars Day, whatever. Claire and Delilah helped Win make muffins with lemon glaze and Texas sheet cake. Coop, Sasha, Ethan and O all played. Somebody ripped out my car stereo. Shitfuck. Toby and I took a walk on campus. More BBQ plus kale and mac n cheese. Lots of neighborhood fun. Coooooooold day.

2011-05-04T19:14:00.001-07:00

After work, Toby and I went for a jog around town. Nothing special. Hot. He was tired. Win and miles went to Heuer's in Williamsport. Miles got a nice camera bag backpack and some lenses. They also got pork BBQ. I ate so much that I napped! Whoa!

May 2, 2011

2011-05-03T16:46:00.001-07:00

Monday, a day for waking up and going to school. The children appeared to do so successfully. I successfully attended work. I also attended with Winnie a meeting about Miles and his transition to high school. Lookin good. His grade in English low, but I don't care about his grades. I know he is a very good writer an avid reader. Grades measure other things. We are steak outside on the deck. Miles had dinner at Maggie's house with her family and then he went to her brother's baseball game in town. He had dinner late. The ants got to his steak so he gave it to the dog.

April 30, 2011

2011-05-02T18:10:00.001-07:00

A Sunday and a great day for a paintball party. We gathered the troops: Anthony, Josh, Sasha, Harry, Westen, Ethan, and O, for a trip to a paintball place outside Harrisburg. These joints all look like postapocalyptic trading stations. We geared up, had our safety and protocol lessons from Mike and hit the course. I was pressed in to duty to even the teams but having an adult on your side is no advantage. O shot me three times, one time before I fired a shot. There were tears and welts and bruises but the consensus among the children aged 10 to 13 was that this was the greatest day in their lives and the greatest birthday party granted to children ever. The favorite courses were Lil Bagdad and Trenches, though kids did not like the Trench objective of capturing the flag. We had burgers and fried for lunch and finished the day with Texas sheet cake. A long tired ride home and at Anthony's house I saw a bald eagle perched across the river. Boys were beat, but the day was beast.

April 30, 2011

2011-05-01T18:28:00.001-07:00

It was a great day-- sunny, warm, and lots to do. O had a soccer game in Mifflinburg, a loss but it was nice to get out on the grass. He had a good game. Later, Win helped out with the Lewisburg Arts Festival kids tent. I helped Abbey by watching Caroline. All day it was some combination if me, Toby, C, and Winnie. We played just us two at the playground and we walked around the booths. It wad fun. O and Sasha were a pair. So were Miles and Adon. Chicken on the grill. Clear skies but not much to see so we watched the traffic lights change across the river by Mays.

April 29, 2011

2011-04-30T04:29:00.001-07:00

Win's back is better and she is more mobile. It was a beautiful day for birds and dogs. Not so much for fish. The Susquehanna crested in the afternoon. I saw a duck chase a crow. What if the river just kept getting higher, such as forever? O ran around with his friends in the neighborhood. They are excited about paintball this Sunday. In the evening, Win and I went for a walk, even though she was cold. We walked to the football stadium and I watched LAX, a semifinal game. Bucknell poured it on Lehigh and defeated them. Miles experimented with soldering and photoshop and making new devices I don't understand for his camera/phone. He discovered he can hook his camera up to the telescope and someday when there are no clouds maybe we can see what happens when you point them all at Mars. Or Jupiter. Or the moon. More than 700 people have looked at his suitcase pinhole camera picture, 30-hour exposure, on the Internet thing.

Monday, February 21, 2011

2011-02-21T19:29:00.001-08:00

The boys had no school because it's President's Day. Just as well. Lot of snow overnight. The thaw lasted a few days but now more snow and ice. Owen bought a new cool pair of shoes. He really needed them. In the afternoon, his friend Westen came by after Ofyssey of the Mind. They hung out and had fun. O was very excited. Miles went to Rider's house and to a music store in Sunbury. I ran with Toby in the afternoon after work. Slippery and lots of dog stops sober had a bad time. But it was good to get out. We ate pork chili, the ones who like it. After gymnastic, o had his favorite KFC. Taxes again.

February 13, 2011

2011-02-14T17:28:00.000-08:00

Sunday. Win went to Molly's baby shower in South Park. Fun times. Lots of friends. I went to Panera with the boys and we met Gwen and lil Dell. She is soo cute. I took the boys home. Miles skated. I took Toby to Gwen'd house and we all played. Home from Morgantown and back at 7:30. Long weekend but nice to see friends.

February 13, 2011

2011-02-14T17:12:00.001-08:00

A Saturday in Morgantown. Win went to Rising Creek and had great food. She brought me back some tomato gravy. Yes. O went to Kyle's. I went to WVU-Depaul and WVU won! Inwent with Jim, Al, and Julie. Hohum game but nice to hang with Jim. Miles went to Lucas's and Arj came over. Win and I hung out at the apartment while the boys had sleepovers. Tired. Sleepy. Toby.

February 12, 2011

2011-02-14T17:03:00.001-08:00

We left after school for West Virginia. Got in at 7:30 and they went to the Ks. Max and O so happy to see each other. Miles and Zak had fun too. I went to 123 for supper club. Lots ignitions there and Jay Marinellini even played. Nice to see live rock and roll. We stayed at the apartment ad Sarah was nice to let us stay there.

February 6, 2011

2011-02-07T15:43:00.000-08:00

Oh get out of the house! Take a trip! North to Corning, NY! It took a little more than an hour to travel up 15. Corning is a nice little town on the Tioga. The Museum of Glass is very cool. Amazing displays on telescopes, fiberglass, bottles, light bulbs, Pyrex, light bulbs, windshields -- you name it! Also interesting demos on breaking glass and glass blowing. Very cool. We bought some gifts for people and we ate a pizza or two in town. Of course most places were closed, it being Sunday. But finally some ok pizza. Drove home and watched the Steelers lose the Super Bowl. Nice day. Nice trip.

February 5, 2011

2011-02-07T14:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday. One of the worst days for bad weather. Already a bunch of snow on the ground. And it rained. It turned to ice. The whole town is an ice rink no could not even walk anywhere, let alone run! We spent the early afternoon being amused by the polar plunge. Lots of people took a midwinter swim. Saw Trip and the Martins. Abs and C came over. They were both up all night with a cranky C. Win took C to the store so Abs could have a break. She ended up sleeping for four hours! We had some Chinese food. C chowed fruit like blueberries. She also ate rice. Cute girl. She has a baby doll, Emma.

February 4, 2011

2011-02-07T13:52:00.000-08:00

I woke in Massachusetts. Couldn't run-- too much snow. So I hit the gym for a minute or two. Went to Amherst tonthe conference for SCAFRO. Good day. I planned to stay overnight and even see Neko Case but an impending snowstorm cut my plans short Nd I ended up heading back to PA that night. Oh well. Long drive because of bad Massachusetts traffic. WFMU on the drive home.

February 1, 2011

2011-02-02T06:03:00.001-08:00

A snow day. Too much ice and the threat of more. Everything slushy all day. The boys hung out at home. Miles visited the skate shop. O played games. Really ugly outside. The dog didn't even want to go out. It spat icy rain and tinkled against the window glass. O had art class and he liked it. He had market all over his face-- fun with scented markers. He and I went to the store to get juicing supplies. Lots of grapefruit and oranges and of course carrots and beets.

January 31, 2011

2011-02-01T06:03:00.001-08:00

O and I had dentist appointments. I picked him up from school and we had our teeth cleaned. He looks good and so do I. Nice folks. O really likes Barb, the lady who cleans his teeth. Very nice. Then we got Subway. O tried lettuce but he did not like it in his sandwich. Hungry boy. Later we did homework and watched shows on my phone via Netflix. He did his homework, an uneventful episode. Nice just to chill out. I brushed the dog and the dog loved it.

January 30, 2011

2011-01-31T13:50:00.000-08:00

The best part of the day was sled riding. We went to the golf course and found a nice hill. We went with the Martins and their dogs. Toby loved it, though his paw pads got packed with snow. Snowboots for the boy? Maybe. It is very irritating. He loved chasing people on sleds and other dogs up and down the hill, a real dynamo of animal energy and love. We went back later once Miles woke up so he could see it for himself. I took an afternoon nap and it felt good. Watched the Mountaineer women blow it against DePaul. Like, what?? Went to bed with the dog near me, as is his desire. Win went to Shelby's and they made noodles.

January 29, 2011

2011-01-31T13:47:00.001-08:00

Nothing happened, as a matter of intention and carefully planned design. I pondered a trip to see Army v Bucknell at West Point, but the weather was rough, too rough for such a trip. So, we stayed home. I watched WVU grind out a win over Cincy late, a noce victory on a number of fronts. Miles journeyed to ski club south of here and had a better time. I took a walk with Tripper and his family, my first opportunity to meet the big guy. He and Toby had great fun. Finn and Wyeth joined us. It was a nice walk along what appears to be an old canal path, near the river in a place where flooding is unlikely though not impossible.

January 28, 2011

2011-01-28T05:35:00.000-08:00

Win had belly dancing in the evening and then she hung out with the ladies down the road. She likes the class. I hung with the boys, succumbing to a brief power nap after dinner. Taco Thursday, another thing that O invented on his own and we just gradually adopt because it makes perfect sense, formalizing into ritual a habit that is otherwise random and unnoted. That boy. We watched America's Funniest Home videos, and I laaaaaaaaaaughed. Then he went to sleep as we talked about death. Earlier in the day, he found a Polish note of 100 whatevers on the street near the bus stop. WTF? Miles took cool pics with the camera, long exposures and a lighter. Pretty cool. He also practiced the trumpet parts of Neutral Milk Hotel for two hours. Scared the shit out of the dog.

January 26, 2011

2011-01-26T18:39:00.001-08:00

Cold again. We have not had a warmish day above freezing for weeks. Everybody up and at 'em early. Miles had early band. Toby and I ran and he loved it. A little icey but that'll happen in January. By late afternoon, a storm came in and it got wet and icey bad. We ate strombolli for dinner. Rowan and Finn came over while their mom and bro went to dog class with Trip, their new Burnese. Later, Eric cam over. Win went to Shelby's but she wasn't supposed to go until tomorrow. Oops. O and I fought over homework. Ugh. Roads suck. Two-hour delay?

January 24, 2011

2011-01-25T20:08:00.001-08:00

More colder, the coldest day I have experienced in a long time. It was -7 when we woke. Toby and I bravely ran outside. It was brisk to say the least. We only ran two miles-- I was afraid Toby would have a frozen nose. I had sweat frozen on my eyelashes. No delays at school, oddly.

In the evening, O had gymnastics and he jumped like a mad man. Miles developed prints from his own negatives and equipment. Amazing boyo.

January 23, 2011

2011-01-24T19:33:00.001-08:00

It is Sunday. Woke up early. Cold, very cold. We took it easy inside. I read a lot. Watched WVu beat USF in hoops. Miles and I went to the BU library and he got a bunch of good photography books. Watched the Steelers play the Jets and the Steelers won to go on to the Super Bowl. Good game. Pretty solid but really not a superstar team. Lots of folks are happy. La, Win, and O got to meet the Martin's new Burnese, a big dog. Really big.

January 22, 2011

2011-01-23T12:15:00.000-08:00

O played with Sasha all day. They played some Minecraft as well as army men for a long time. Sasha's birthday party was in teh afternoon and to celebrate they had pizza and cake, plus they went to the Bucknell-Colgate basketball game. I went to and Bucknell kicked butt. Hung out with Win afterward. Toby and I went for a nice run and he loved it. Very cold, single digits in the night and not much better all day.

January 18, 2011

2011-01-20T18:41:00.001-08:00

No school. To much snow and the ice was crazy. Freezing rain. It was warm enough to melt so it was just slush all over. I continued to fight his cold. Miles developed his dark room.

January 17, 2011

2011-01-20T18:35:00.000-08:00

I continue to fight a cold, valiantly. In the evening, Abbey came over with Caroline. We hung out. The boys played. C was more relaxed with everyone. She played tea party and other little games. Win took Owen over to gymnastics where he had a great time and then had some Nucky Nigh Chicken, his favorite. Miles, Abbey, Caroline, and I went to the Chameleon to eat. Quesadillas, pretty lame. C was happy and relaxed. She loves Miles. She held my hand while we walked. Cold night.

January 15, 2011

2011-01-16T19:05:00.001-08:00

Saturday and I felt pretty good all in all. I made a few trips to the store and got a total of 30 balloons for the aerial photography experiment. Too windy, boo hoo and the balloons hardly last the day. We will have to wait for better weather.

O and Win went to a birthday party at the skate rink in Selinagrove. I read and did things around the house. Toby and I ran our 5k route, our slowest time! Yikes. But he loved it, wind in his fur. In the evening three twitter friends from West Virginia (Brian, Chris, and Janet) visited on their way through from Centralia for a sightseeing tour. Tour of campus and dinner at the Lewisburg Hotel. Nice visit. Steelers beat Baltimore in the playoffs. Shelby visited with a choco Guinness cake, delicious.

January 14, 2011

2011-01-15T05:41:00.000-08:00

I slept from 6:30 to 9:30, feeling a little down with a cold. Need to refortify myself with garlic and chili and homemade beet-carrot-ginger-lemon juice. Running low. WIn has bounced back and is feeling 110%. She is making Texas sheet cake for Wy's birthday party tomorrow. I woke and read. I need to finish Pynchon before Monday. Miles plotted more camera tricks. Maybe this weekend we do the balloons. His bathroom is now a darkroom, such a fine boy. O and I finished Bone #7, a disappointing read. The series has gone into too much unsubstantiated fantasy and darkness. Better be more action in #8, less chit chat and BS like "ghost circles." And if you are going to crack open an ambiguity in book four, don't just slam it shut in book 5.

January 13, 2011

2011-01-15T04:45:00.000-08:00

Win is still lights-out sick, so I got the boys out of beds and int school buses all by myself. By midday, she was up and around and feeling better, though not 100%. O did homework, including studying for a spelling test. HE did ok on his science test earlier in the day. Miles hung out at the skate shop. Too much snow to skate, but enough time and imagination to plot skating trips.

January 12, 2011

2011-01-15T03:48:00.000-08:00

Win is sick, as in knock-down, drag-out ill. So I took care of the boys in the morning and the evening. I could not access email at work because of the email migration. Plus we had a power outage that affected the whole community. Plus we had a water main break. SO I worked from home. We had chili for dinner, and a raucous time doing homework. It was hilarious when O read one of his example sentences for language arts: "Kevin and his grandmother spent the day together on Kevin's birthday. He sat in the plane while he watched his grandmother skydiving." What?? We wrestled with the dog and read Bone #7, a good series.

January 10, 2010

2011-01-12T18:00:00.001-08:00

I took Miles to a new round of coursework in Williamsport with Ralph. He took his photopaper mod brownie from the Bucknell quad. He also took a camera that he found at a flea market that still contained film. They came out ok. But he realizes his mistakes and figures out how to fix them. Very exciting stuff. While he was at class, I hung out at the Madigan Library on te campus of Penn Tech, a really nice building. Brand new.

At home, Win took O to gymnastics center. He bounced and had fun.

January 9, 2011

2011-01-10T17:27:00.000-08:00

A lazy Sunday. I was up early. Toby and I went for a run. He loved it. Very cold-- low teens. I did not go far. Very sluggish. So I cut it short, heavy feeling and unusually winded. Been a while, but something just not right. O played with Sash. But it did not last so he cane home. We all putzed. Mikes was sick all day the day before. We both went to the doc, he for his throat and I for my eye. Him, allergies and a virus. Me, a sty but no pink eye. Back home and I napped at dusk, waking confused. Dinner of garlic soup, an invigorating meal. Felt healthy all evening. Toby slept at the foot of my tiny bed.

January 8, 2011

2011-01-10T17:23:00.000-08:00

I wok at 4 and I left for DC. I arrived in town for a WVU alumni event and met Ryan and his girlfriend Charlotte. Joined by other friends. At 11, we headed to the Verizon Center to watch WVU play Georgetown. Big game and low expectations, but the boys figured it out and won by six. We had a nice lunch at a tapas place and I explored the galleries. Elvis exhibit at the portrait gallery. I had never been there but it was lovely. Great presidential portraits and special exhibits. I also wandered into the National Gallery an explored, saw some old favorites in person again. I made it out to Vienna and stopped by Sara an Jansen's place to pick up some photography equipment. So kind of him. Miles will be able to develop film now. Good stuff. I drove home after a long day, arriving back at midnight where I crashed. O skated at the rink for five hours. He loved it, an outside hockey-loving boy.

January 6, 2011

2011-01-07T07:16:00.001-08:00

Win went out with friends to the Bra late, a girls night out affair. It was after belly dancing, a new class she is taking with Ghislaine and Melissa. She is a pro, I tell ya. O and I hung out at home, struggling over homework. I got mixed up between the mean and median, and I was ridiculed for this. Deserved? Maybe. Toby and I took a walk. It started to snow late, just a little bit, and it turned to ice a bit. Miles went to the Lewisburg basketball game and took pictures. He is trying to invent the position of school photographer.

January 5, 2011

2011-01-07T07:15:00.001-08:00

Late at night, Miles and I went to the store. I needed to get bread and milk. He got Boyardee stuff so he can eat late at night on his own. We also checked on the cost of balloons and their availability for our aerial photography project. O had an easier time with homework, but a hard time with leaving the house. Miles and I went to the martins for dinner, but O stayed behind with Win because he just did not want to go. When he gets hungry, he gets like that. He ate four pancakes, three sausage, and most of the meatballs I brought back from the M’s. Miles was great with Little Finn. He let him manhandle him and jump on him. The little guys love him.

January 4, 2011

2011-01-05T17:19:00.001-08:00

In the evening I watched WVU bet DePaul in basketball, just barely. They really struggled. Owen had art class at Jim's. I picked him up with Toby by my side. It was nice to walk. Owen enjoyed it. Later, Toby and I went out for another walk, this time with Shelby and her dog Hannah. We walked around campus and town. Pretty vacant. Cold and dark. Winter.

January 3, 2010

2011-01-04T07:34:00.001-08:00

The boys went back to school and I returned to work. Miles skated and hung out at the skate shop. Cold but not wet or snowy, ao skating was an option. In the evening, O went to the gymnastics center with Win to bounce around with the Martins. Josh was there too. Late in the evening, Miles as I went to the bookstore. He looked at photography books. I found Lord if Misrule, a book set in WV near Moundsville. It won an award and I listened to a fairly positive review. Need to get through my other books first.

The first two days of the year I found a penny. I looked all day for one today but it was fruitless.

January 2, 2011

2011-01-02T19:58:00.001-08:00

A little sunnier and still cold. We all had waffles. Crepes yesterday and waffles today. Breakfast like kings.

We went as a family to a new park (new to us) out Rt 45. It has a long looping trail that switchbacks up the hill and includes three dramatic overlooks. One is really scary. They is also a larg meadow. A great place to play and explore. O was in a great mood. We got him new shoes at walmart so he coul slog through the mud and not worry about his shoes. He found what he thought was a dead bird but was actually a milkweed pod exploded, fratherlike wisps of fluff. We took it home and he wants to start a collection. Miles tool lots of pictures with his camera. Then we went to the park and played while Miles skated.

At home we ate meatball sandwiches at O's request and then got ice cream at the Prnn State Creamery stop by Walmart that we discovered. Bed early to get ready for school. For the second day in a row I found a penny on the ground.

January 1, 2011

2011-01-02T19:52:00.001-08:00

Miles and I went on campus with Toby to take a pinhole camera picture. Miles modified an old Brownie and inserted some photopaper. Toby and I stood in the quad by the library. Miles noted the light with his light meter and calculated the exposure time. Now it will be developed in a few weeks. He wants to make more such cameras.

We also had our pork, bacon, kielbasa, sauerkraut, and black-eyed peas meal. Meg came over with her boys and we all ate. Finn cast Harry Potter spells ("Eat slugs!"). A warmer day but overcast. Dirty streets.

December 11, 201

2010-12-12T10:12:00.001-08:00

A cold day and everyone slept in all warm. Win had lunch with Meg and her sis in law at Reba and Panchos. Miles made a movie for school with Duncan. Miles was Duncan's doppleganger. They incorporated O into their filming. In the evening we all went to Milton to visit the rock climbing gym there. Really cool place and the boys climbed high with the owner's help.

November 13, 2010

2010-11-14T06:06:00.000-08:00

Krisi is here, and she and Win spent the day together. We all went to the Muffin Man in Danville for brunch. It was good, lots of muffins. There was an auction in the neighborhood. It was nice all as a family to see Danville and visit a new town. Geisinger off the distance, looming. At home, Toby and I ran the 5k, but I forgot the route so we only went 2.5 miles. Not bad time. Toby kept up fine. O played games at home and then he spent a long part of the day at the park with a bunch of boys outside. It gets dark so early, but he enjoyed it immensely. Had trouble finding him at dusk, but he settled in at home and he and I got pizza. Miles skated all day and in the evening he prepared a concoction sandwich involving Amish cheese, soy sauce, mustard, turkey, and the panini press. It is impressive that he can identify and satisfy his cravings with the materials available to him. A very precise pallet. I read Animal Farm, a fine book.

November 12, 2010

2010-11-14T04:12:00.000-08:00

A Friday! We had a salmon dinner and it was delicious, good rice and broccolini. Miles was out skating in town. We other family went into town for Barnes and Noble and O bought a book, Hoot. We also bought Animal Farm so Miles and I could read it. O got candy of course and he was happy to go with us, out of the house on foot. Krisi came in from Motown late in the evening, and it was nice to have a visitor. Miles skated and had pizza in town.

November 5, 2010

2010-11-10T20:13:00.000-08:00

I spent all day in Providence at Brown, the Watson Institute. Meetings all day and crises at work. Great discussions and interesting presentations. At home, Win went to the doc; procedure next Wednesday but not surgery. It will be a one-hour outpatient procedure and hopefully she will walk, sit, stand, and move around normally afterwards.

November 4, 2010

2010-11-05T19:29:00.000-07:00

Me, off to Rhode Island. Providence and Brown. The boys were off school, two days. The Campus Theater showed the fantastic mr fox and the boys went but Win could not sit. So they watched with their friends. I traveled and had a wonderful dinner with really smart people.

November 3, 2010

2010-11-05T19:22:00.000-07:00

Win and I went to parent conferences at school for Miles. Things went well. They like him. He works hard and he does well. Nice to hear. Then I took him to Wmsport to his photography class. He really likes it a lot. He gets into the technical stuff and really studies the technology. He was so proud when he came out to the car. His first print, from a 35 mm Holga pic he took of the NYC skyline. Bed late really tired.

November 2, 2010

2010-11-03T20:34:00.000-07:00

It's still cooooold. I got the boys to school but not after some fussing. Not fun in the morning but it's a short week or them with Thursday and Friday off from school for some reason. We had delicious chicken and cabbage with couscous. Mmmm good. I ran with Toby and had no shin splints thank goodness. Toby loooooved it. He keeps up well too. O watched movies for sleep. He lives Poppy books, a series I've never heard of. Miles skated a bunch in spite of the cool.

November 1, 2010

2010-11-02T17:48:00.000-07:00

Win is up and around well enough to cook so she did and she made a delicious soup: ginger, garlic, bok choy, and cabbage. The Russian check out girl complimented me on my choice of vegetables. Lots of candy around here. O stayed home from school, Ill with a cold and tummy ache. Cold, downright cold.

October 31, 2010

2010-11-02T16:54:00.000-07:00

Halloween! Trick or treat from 6-9. We all went, even broken Momma, to Meg's and Chris's house for food. Win made a sushi salad and desserts. Mmmmmm. Good stuff. Toby was dressed as a bucking bronco. O was a scary clown. Miles was a pig, very pink. He even rode a pink skateboard. Sweet. Lots of people. A few haunted houses. O got wore out but he had fun. We even had people come to our house. During the day we drank coffee and I caught up on the Economist. La went back home. Sorry to see her gone and so nice to have her here.

October 30, 2010

2010-11-02T15:59:00.000-07:00

A cool Saturday. I tried to run but I got shin splints. Ouch. Toby was sooooooooo sad because I did not take him with me. Poor guy, but I intended to run too far for him to keep up. I bought two pairs of jeans for nine bucks each. Happy me. O had soccer and it was his last game. He did ok but they lost. Afterwards I helped tear down the fields. We moved all the stuff to high ground in time for spring floods. In the evening I hung out at Shelby's with Toby and he had a great time with the dogs, playing.

October 28, 2010

2010-10-29T03:36:00.001-07:00

I got Owen to the bus stop just in time in the morning. I saw a girl crash her bike after getting him sent off. She had too many bags and she was OK. WIn felt worse, her back a mess and she cannot move. Only one doctor can see her and not for a week more. Awful, shitty circumstance. O had soccer practice and he had fun, the darkness taking over. HE and I went to Subway and had sandwiches after practice. HE did his homework with La. Lots to do but he did it. Miles skated and played Minecraft, everyone's new thing.

October 24, 2010

2010-10-26T04:04:00.000-07:00

A Sunday and I woke at 449 late, just happy to sleep in. O was at Kyle's and Miles was at Arj's. Win at home. I took O and Kyle to Eat n Park for breakfast, a nice meal for them because they live it so. We got Miles and Alyx in town at Pinocchio's. O and Kyle got a few little rubber erasers. Then we got Mr. Max and headed to Dorsey's Knob. We took a walk and enjoyed the view. Fall foliage is beautiful and the weather again was perfect. At fourish we hit the road and arrived home to moms and las and animals galore. Georgia.

October 23, 2010

2010-10-24T19:28:00.000-07:00

Greg, Donnie, Johnny V, and I went to see WVU play football. I stopped to visit the JSchool tent first, and they were all gone but fortunately there was still some vittles. Hung out with Kimberly and a few others. Ten watched the game. Ugh, WVU lost to them, shameful. Bad O-line and nothing got going on offense as a result. It was terrible. I walked home.

O spent all day with Kyle, and they were so happy to see each other and play. They were outside all day and got wore out big time. M spent the day with Alyx, and they were at the mall mostly. Miles told me he can't believe how expensive food is at the movies. He had to use his own cash. Good learning experience.

October 22, 2010

2010-10-24T19:26:00.000-07:00

I had more events at work, and I reluctantly agreed to go to Morgantown late, super late, with the boys. They slept a bit, O slept almost the whole way. I was Ok driving. Arrived in town at 2 am, and we all slept more! At home, Win and the dog just lay in bed and did nothing except wince in pain.

October 21, 2010

2010-10-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

I woke in New York, always a mystery these days when I awake. A meeting, then lunch at a deli. Viewed a monument to 350 people who died, employees of the same company, in a quiet little park on 46th. Drove back through relatively friendlier traffic home, still a long ride. At work in the evening for an event, I explained the value of old European art to a willing audience of colleagues. Win got by OK with the boys. I have been home for so little time these days, moving all the time it seems except when asleep.

October 20, 2010

2010-10-24T19:17:00.000-07:00

I drove to New York in the afternoon and attended an event in the evening. I hate driving in the city, especially in rush hour traffic. Ugh. But I got through it. I slept soundly after it all. At home, Win lay in bed and I wonder how she will get the boys off to school, alone and with an inoperable leg, a bad back, and reluctant kids.

October 19, 2010

2010-10-20T05:55:00.001-07:00

O was in full neighborhood mode at home with a bunch of kids in the house and yard after school to play. He was really into games with Sasha and Dustin. Miles was at the skate park hanging with the big kids and having fun. He loves to skate and he always tries new stuff, pushing himself to get better. Win is still achin’ and La left so we are on our own as the family unit. It is cooler, fallish and lovely. In the evening, a tired young man who shall remain nameless refused to do his homework when the goin’ got tough with complex math problems. He knows how to do them but he does not want to do the work. So, he went to bed without games, computer, movies, iPhone games, etc. And he did, which explains a lot. He was tired, too tired for homework, maybe worn out by fun and school. I went to the store and I was in the 15-item line WITH EXACTLY 15 ITEMS, unlike the woman in front of me who interpreted the rule to mean 15 kinds of items, as in “twelve boxes of the same kind of mac and cheese equals one item.” I was so conscientiously compliant that I did not get gum in the checkout line because it would have pushed me over the limit.

October 18, 2010

2010-10-19T06:31:00.000-07:00

Oh boy is it fall-- chilly and the leaves are beautiful with many of them on the ground instead of in the tree tops. Back home. So happy La can be here to help out. What to do for her as a token of appreciation? Not sure.

Win and the boys like the iPad a lot. O had a friend, Dustin, over for dinner after school. He is a good kid. Win is better somewhat, able to walk a little. We had a great dinner. Chicken! Wonderful sauce. O had lots of homework, which he did in his underwear. We watched some of the Thin Red Line on bed on his iPhone, and then we read Bone, finishing #2 and starting #3.

Upon further reflection after a wonderful weekend, I will conclude that high school was still the most awful time in my life. I wish I had been a different person and could have enjoyed the company of folks who I believe are fine people.

October 17, 2010

2010-10-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Breakfast at the Alpha with Chris and Dan. Lots of fun to catch up. Then Dan and I went to Center Market in Wheeling and checked out the stores. He was buying stuff for his store back home and it was great to see what they had in stock. Center Market is going downhill but they say it is starting to pick up.

Drove to South Hills Village. I got an iPad so Win could watch some movies in bed easier. Also go in lone and stuff. Worth it. And lo and behold my Kindle is not working right. Harumph. Got home and moved the cars to side streets. Everybody winding down.

Nice weekend. Nice to see old friends and catch up.

October 16, 2010

2010-10-16T08:36:00.000-07:00

In the morning, Mom, Will, Jim, Anne, and Derrick joined me on ladders to paint the foyer at Posy’s. Lots of work, especially on that damned ceiling, but ultimately it looks good, nice and brighter. Then I went over to Linsly for the football game. Lots more friends there, including Jarrett and Patton. So nice to see everyone, and good to see a big football win over some Ohio team.

In the evening, I attended the dinner at Banes Hall. Lots of fun to talk. I met Pavel, Tonya’s fiancé. He is Kazakhstani. Very smart. At dinner, I was asked to speak on behalf of my class, and I said a few moving heartfelt words that brought laughter to hearts and tears to eyes. Last time I stood at that spot in that room was at the senior declamation contest, which I did not win. Twelve folks from our class attended. Afterwards, we hit TJ’s and played pool, talked shop. Great to catch up and swap stories. As much as I enjoy the company of my classmates—and wish we had more in attendance. You can’t go home again, thank god. Stayed up too late catching up and using the word “party” as a verb, my second favorite pastime.

October 10, 2010

2010-10-12T09:38:00.001-07:00

A great day, they tell me. I took Win to the ER in Danville at 5ish to get pain medication. She could not sleep, cannot walk, and moving at all is very painful. Her left leg is a mess. Geisinger is a fine place with good people. In another room, a man from Alabama living in the area was there, likely drunk and recovering from something. He was our neighbor, a loud one. We got in and out pretty quick and on the way back, I noticed that frost covered the ground on the farmlands by the road. In Lewisburg, it was warmer.

With Mom, Dad, and Jim, we went to the Street of Shops and had a nice hearty breakfast in their little diner area, very quaint. We looked around. Lotsa stuff. Back home, Win was in pain still but the pills and shot she had helped. This is going to take a long time. I got her scripts and she settled in for the day. The fam left. I shuttled kids around, fed them and watered them. Insisted they change their clothes, to no effect. I don't know where the day went to be honest. They say it was a great day. The window of opportunity for me to enjoy was spent asleep on a nap, opportunely in the middle of the day.

October 9, 2010

2010-10-10T18:44:00.001-07:00

It was a beautiful day. O had soccer in the morning and he played well. E was ready to play, really excited. And e scored his team's only goal in a 4-1 loss. After soccer we went to the Wooly Worm Festival at Hufnagle Park. Lots of food and game booths plus a guy in a caterpillar costume. Petting Zoo. O, Sasha and Sam played at the park while I sat in the shade with Toby and parents.

Mom, Dad and Jim cam up at about four. We went to Ards to eat. Good food but loooooong wait for food. O love having Jim here. We sat in the porch and had fun. Dad and I walked to the book store and I got a book.

October 7, 2010

2010-10-09T03:39:00.001-07:00

Winnie messed her back up by trying to move a bunch of furniture around on the porch and in the bedroom. Pretty simple formula, very predictable outcome. She cannot move. I worked in another new suit, looking good. It was an absolutely beautiful day and it's too bad I spent to much time inside. Really gorgeous. I took care I Win. Homebody Owen just stayed home. We played some war with his new card deck and we made up games. He made up some pretty cool ones, like a war addition game. To bed after summer sausage and cheese for dinner. Miles went to skate and then went to the Lewisburg homecoming football game.

October 6, 2010

2010-10-09T03:33:00.001-07:00

O had soccer practice and he was full of energy. He had fun, as he usually does. Afterwards, we all went to his school for open house. We saw his teacher and his speech teacher and got to see some of his classroom and school work. He did a really great autobiography which I greatly enjoyed. Miles skated at the park and in town. Cole came over for a little bit.

October 6, 2010

2010-10-09T03:29:00.001-07:00

Sent from my iPhone

October 6, 2010

2010-10-07T19:59:00.000-07:00

Miles and I traveled north to Williamsport. We found the Pajama Factory, literally and truly an old abandoned factory building that made pajamas. It is a whole city block, owned and renovated by a New York architect. Nicely done, and it is full of art studios. Dozens. We found Ralph, the photographer. Miles will go once a week all fall into December. He really liked it. It was very technical, and he ate it up. The class is not about composition, but about equipment, film, processing, developing, and the nuts and bolts of cameras and how to use them properly. He loved it. A high school senior who is doing her senior project is also in the class. In the meantime, I bought more suits than a gangster at Macy's. I was in bad need of clothes, and I got a lot for work. I really needed them too. Miles had his first Big Mac, starving on his way home. WIn got Toby a Halloween costume, a bucking bull rider on his back so he looks like a bull.

October 5, 2010

2010-10-06T04:28:00.001-07:00

After dinner we took a walk around the neighborhood. Me, Win, Toby, and O. It was a nice walk. No rain, even though it rained all day, a drizzle almost the whole day. At the playground in the dark, O played on the wobbly horses. We crossed the tracks and walked home.

O got some books at the library and book fair. One was a Bone comic. He also got a book about the Hindenburg at the library. Toby really wants to go to the bus stop but too much rain.

October 4, 2010

2010-10-04T19:15:00.001-07:00

It rained all day. Drizzly mostly but sometimes pretty hard. Win did clean up stuff mostly, everyone finally back after more than a week separate. Laundry, picking up, and such. The boys got back in the school groove. I walked back and forth to work. My car is in Pittsburgh so I pretty much need to walk anywhere. It was nice to walk and listen to This American Life on my little trips. After work, Sasha and Duncan joined us for playing Minecraft. I don't see the point but they like it a lot. Voices from the bridge. My dig slept with me. He ate a can of wet food, which is good. I bought Mad magazine on the Barnes and Noble newsstand.

September 5, 2010

2010-09-08T15:11:00.000-07:00

I woke at the Lake. Win woke in Lewisburg with Barbara and La. Miles woke in Morgantown, a diasportic family this weekend. Miles celebrated Zak's birthday with him, Devon, and Alyx plus the Zak's family. I was at the lake with cousins. We chomped breakfasts and then did the draft. It was a football draft, first with a keeper league and then with the open league. The kids even participated, and they made good pics. In the evening, we hung out and had tons of beef for dinner plus delicious potatoes. We spent most of the day at George's house, a beautiful place. At home, the fam enjoyed Ard's and exploring the valley. Good times, relaxing times.

September 4, 2010

2010-09-07T04:09:00.000-07:00

Miles and I drove to Morgantown while Win stayed home with O and Toby. La and Barbara visited LBurg. They had a great time at Ard's and just being at home. Rocky and Tanner of ocurse came too. I dropped Miles off at the 'Weins while I went to the lake. Lots of folks there, including Ned, Sam, Chess, John, Boo, Steve, Jean, Casie, and Grace. Tom, Jim, Marie, George, and VErna rounded out the crew next door. Nice to visit. I got to meet Bella, a sweet dog, perhaps among the sweetest. Football draft, my first.

August 28, 2010

2010-08-29T13:35:00.001-07:00

Spent the day in Morgantown. Win and I woke in the apartment. O was at Kyle's and M was at the 'Weins. Toby was at the foot of the bed.

Went to the farmer's market with Panda and got a few things. Then Apple Annie's. Great food. I napped. Win hung out with 'Weins. We later ate with Will and Zak and Alyx at Lavender Cafe. Miles ordered chicken but they gave him some shrimp! Oh no panic. But he ate none of it. Good. Bed early after a fire up the hill.

2010-08-27T03:44:00.001-07:00

The first day of school today. Miles walked with Duncan to the bus stop. Win, Toby, and I walked with Owen to the bus stop. Lots of people there. Owen was not sad. A little excited I think. On the bus and off!

Win walked the dog extensively. She also drove to Danville and Bloomsbury to check them out. Nice day for her.

After school, the boys were ok about school on the average. O really liked his. Miles was less enthusiastic to say the least. He has clubs at lunch time and none of them are very exciting.

August 14, 2010

2010-08-15T09:03:00.000-07:00

I woke in the apartment in Morgantown. It's a cozy little joint, done up nice by Winnie before she left last time. I cut grass, trimmed hedges, and did some painting and fixing up inside the house before I left. I also ate at Chico Fat and visited Gwen and Dell up on the hill. Long drive home seems longer now that it is absolutely unnecessary.

Win unpacked more. Kids hinge out. Miles was at the skate park with Arj and they met more folks. They decorated Miles's room. Owen played and hung out with Denali. They all went into town and walked about. Toby still a little creeped out by new surroundings. Unpacked boxes. Starting to feel like a home. O emails me now.

August 10, 2010

2010-08-11T04:28:00.000-07:00

During the day, everyone visited a flea market and had lots of fun. O bought a baseball bat and gas mask. Miles and Arj looked around and will go back tomorrow.

In the evening we went into the river with Duncan. O found a giant fish. It was a dead three foot long Pike, I think. One of the largest fish I've ever seen. I was amazed he picked it up and brought it up to show Win.

Steak for dinner around our new dining room table, 180 years old.

August 5, 2010

2010-08-07T05:25:00.000-07:00

Woke in a bed in the new house. La, Win, and I spent time on the back porch early watching the sun rise and feeling the heat oppress. I worked, worked all day. La and Win worked harder. They unpacked and reshuffled and when I returned for lunch and in the evening the house was transformed into a home. Rooms taking shape. Ben and Duncan installed a new outlet for the back room ac, a nice addition and we are grateful. The bits like the place. In the evening we ventured to the West End Fair. Meh. Found a eyetalian place in Mifflinburg and we wolfed it down gratefully. Collapsed in bed when we got home.

August 4, 2010

2010-08-06T13:25:00.000-07:00

Moving day. The truck came, all 18 wheels of it, full of our lives. The guys moving were great, real troopers in the 95 degree heat. Seven hours after I dashed to the bank to get a massive cashier's check, we were all moved in, blessedly awash in cardboard and packing tape, furniture akimbo across three floors, four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and a lovely screened-in porch. In the evening, we visited the park where O likes to play. he hung with some kids. We watched the music act play jazzy stuff before a giant tempest blew in and sent everyone and their dogs home early. Big storm. So bad we had to head indoors for ice cream and a few chicken samiches for the boys. Toby getting to know the neighbor dogs, a little bit of dominance tension going on with the boys. moved some stuff in and settled a bit more.

August 3, 2010

2010-08-06T13:21:00.001-07:00

The fam arrived in Lburg at 3:30. We rolled into an empty house, just my stuff and prepared for the movers to arrive. Ellen gave us an air mattress. Otherwise, we slept on floors and on the one mattress available. Hot day, and first thing Win went to get ac units. We went out to eat and it was good, the hotel for dinner. Then Barnes and Nobel, nice place.

I walked down the street in Lewisburg. We were at the Campus Theater to see Jaws on the big screen. His tooth hurt, so we left early. He found a blue jay feather and showed it to me. I said it was good luck to find a bird feather. Maybe, I said, it is from the Succotash Bird from the Babar books and he will visit you tonight and give you a wish. What would you wish for? I would want to go home forever to Morgantown and do whatever I want and nobody would care. Not unexpected. We both love Jaws.

August 2, 2010

2010-08-03T04:39:00.000-07:00

Hot day in Morgantown I'm told. The movers came and packed up the house. Miles had friends over last night: Frankie, Ross, and Zak. They ended up sleeping in the garage apartment. The house got packed and the trucks go loaded.

Empty house. Echoing house. Everything will be delivered Wednesday to Lburg. In the evening Win visited with the Kweins. Looked at pics from summer journeys. I cleaned up our new place and moved furniture and boxes around.

August 1, 2010

2010-08-02T06:21:00.000-07:00

We packed some more, and later in the day, as promised, Miles and I walked from 513 Short Street, our old house, down to DQ. We took this walk frequently when we lived on Wiles Hill, and this time Miles took his skateboard. We took the same path and Miles did not remember much. I reminded him where Rob, Charlie, and Jimmy lived along the way. Toby was hot, but he enjoyed the smells. He ran loose at the Old Mountaineer Field site between B&E and Life Sciences.

We ran into Little G, Anthony and David B in town. We all stopped by the new convenience store on Walnut and then visited Will and the crazy free movie day guy at the Warner. We chatted. Win and O came to pick us up and O made plans with Will to go see a movie later in the evening.

At home, we packed more and I packed the car with dedicates and personal essentials, like the peaches we bought at the farmer’s market the day before. A bunch of kids came over and hung out. We had already packed the blankets, so they slept wrapped in curtains they removed from the windows.

June 30, 2009

2009-07-01T13:42:00.000-07:00

I woke up early and scooted around the house. I packed up the car-- four bins of clothes, a computer needin' fixin', and a few bags of odds and ends. AT 9ish, I petted Toby and hit the road to Lewisburg. Win and the boys at Cape May, so only Toby to say fare thee wells to. No air conditioning in the car posed some comfort challenges all day, but cracked windows helped. I listened to the black keys for much of the way. Stopped in Altoona for a cobb salad at Panera and rolled in at 2ish. Got my keys to my Mod (#33) and promptly locked myself out of it. There is nothing here but a few towels and cheap pots and pans. I went to Wal Mart and to Big Lots and picked up essential foods, accoutrements, and an iPhone player/radio that kicks ass. In the evening, I ate grapes on the deck and listened to the Pirates beat the Cubs, 3-0. In bed with thin cheap sheets and blankets. Emailed and talked to Win. She and the boys had a great day on the beach. O loves bike rides and playing in the sand, really loves it which is funny because we went to the beach once when he was small and he hated the sand and heat. Now he loves it.

June 29, 2009

2009-06-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

A big day, my last official full day in Morgantown! So what do I do? I go to Deep Creek and to Pittsburgh. I really wanted to have a great day with Toby, so Will, JamieA, and I went out to the Lake to swim off the dock. Toby was ecstatic. He was so excited, fetching sticks and a bottle off the dock-- huge leaps! He rolled in goose poop, jumped in the water and generally gamboled, loving it. We swam, though it was so hard to jump in, the water cold, the sun behind clouds, and breezy breezy. Ate at Little Sandy's, a nice solid red state meal, and then we drove back. We all planned to go to a Pirates game because Jamie got invited and who doesn't love the Buccos? Will got tired and backed out, but we went with Tarik from Madeleine's and Aaron from Glasshouse and Sunday hoops. We got $25 seats in the lower section, 3rd base side. Great seats, great game against the Cubbies though the Pirates lost, 3-1. They left 8 guys on and could not get hits at the needed moments to achieve higher run production totals. Had a Primanti brothers samitch and drove home after a pleasant walk through downtown Pittsburgh. In Morgantown, we stopped at Anne's where she hosted a party with Will and Matt Mayle and others. Toby was the life of the party-- he and Tank played and played and they stalked the cat. Had a few and then went home with my sweet dog.

June 28, 2009

2009-06-28T14:12:00.000-07:00

I woke early and in the late morning I visited Kris and Ben because Ben wanted to see Toby before I left. They both got muddy and we hosed them down. A nice visit with the little guy and I got to see his garden and all its peas. I cleaned up a bit and did some more laundry, ate some more perishables. Napped a bit and then took Toby out. He napped on me, so sweet in our little space together. I heard from Win and the boys. They love the new iPhone and they are having fun at the beach- lots of biking and lots of beach time. I visited Gene's and helped Al break down the stage. Had a chicken that Casey had made on the grill earlier. Good stuff. In an effort to really experience Morgantown and West Virginia culture one last time, I visited a hot spot-- Jax, which is CHUD central. Yuck. Went home.

June 27, 2009

2009-06-27T14:27:00.000-07:00

Win left for Cape May, a last-minute trip with Molly and the kids. They packed the Xterra and took off, six hours away. They were guided by the GPS on the iPhone which really helped. Molly got lost but they made it eventually. Win loves the beach so she will be in heaven but we will see how O handles it. Miles will be happy as he is with Arjun. Me, I stayed home and attended the Albonneroooo festival in Greenmont-- 10 bands in ten hours and lots of fun. All my faves were there. Got home late and Toby went apeshit when I arrived. Senator Byrd made an appearance and the crowd went wild.

June 26, 2009

2009-06-26T14:39:00.000-07:00

I took it easy in the evening. It was my last day at work for the WVU Foundation, a final day after four years there. I took the morning off and spent the afternoon tying loose ends and writing thank yous to everyone. Hard to leave, but nice to say fare the wells with folks who were in for the day. Win spent the day packing and getting mentally prepared for a last-minute trip to Cape May with Molly and the boys. Unexpected, but hey who cares it is the beach. O had tennis and he loved it so much, tries so hard, learns a lot. In bed relatively early.

June 21, 2009

2009-06-25T13:57:00.001-07:00

Winnie and I enjoyed day two of Arts on the River. It was a gorgeous day, absolutely perfect temp, a coool breeze, and sun. Such a different day than Saturday-- easier pace, nicer people, parents more invovled with their kids in teh kids activities. It was good times. Emily Brown and Krissy helped out. The boys were there, and O helped as well. He had a meltdown the day before at the pool with Lianne and Kyle. He had been away from home and parents too long (he had a sleepover at Con's the night before) and could not take it anymore. I hung out with the Arts on the River folks after the event and we chatted, reminisced and patted ourselves on the back. Great helpers, good activities, good times.

June 20, 2009

2009-06-22T08:55:00.001-07:00

Win and I organized and implemented the Arts on the River Children's
Activities at the Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park. I was on the
board and Win was nice enough to help pull iit off. We had beads for
necklaces, frames to decorate with wood pieces, and painted rocks. A
face painter also joined us. I was up early setting up tents, hauling
tables, and helping out.

Jamie Arnold and Robin Dallas helped out as volunteers. Jamie is
sooooo nice and the kids loved her. She was invited to two birthday
parties. Kids just gravitated to her and she was so enthusiastic.
Little Malachi spent a long time at the tent and he fell in love with
her. Robin was bead master extraordinaire. It was fun helping the kids
out. It went very smooth especially wit Win manning the rocks and
providing good help and advice for so long.

After we packed up stuff in my car, I got to hang out in the shade of
the amphitheatre and watch two of my favorite bands-- Porterfield (OF) and
T Batchelor (2b). Such a nice day, nice river. Jerry from Forks of
Cheat gave me a bottle which I shared with friends. Win got Lavender
Cafe takeout and while there I saw the Pintus family. Been too long
and it was nice to chat.