Thursday, June 15, 2023

Canadian Forest Fires

 For several days The east coast has been invaded by smoke from Canadian Forest fires. My eyes stung for several days from the irritants.

I read that 600 plus fire fighters from America have gone north to assist as well as several other countries. I have my fingers crossed that the winds do not flow in our direction again.

Sunday, June 4, 2023

Piper

 My granddaughter Piper went to her first formal dance last night. She was radiant!!


Wednesday, May 17, 2023

HODGE PODGE

A little bit of everything in this post. First, I went down to the Hudson River early in the morning and enjoyed a stroll around the Park. A little windy, but pleasant enough. 

Then I went to the Derma tologist. A few years back I was diagnosed  with Squamous Cell Carcinoma then Adenocarcinoma  on my eye lid . At any rate they were cancerous and the doctor said wear  ball caps and see him for annual check ups.

So I went today for a check up and the Doc found two moles that worried him. He lasered them off. I should get the lab results in two weeks.


Sooo...after that I went home and did a little shopping. I am a sucker for old cars and saw a mint condition 1958 Pontiac Chieftain in the parking lot. I asked the owner if I could photograph it. He was happy to oblige. So here it is:


Ain't she pretty?



Monday, May 15, 2023

Checking in.

 I checked my blog and realized I haven't made any entries for a few days. I've been busy with Doctors appts, yard work and prepping the house for my son's visit next week. We are going to my youngest nieces wedding. 

Had a call from Sean on Sunday about Regina. Days like this always sadden me a little bit. I will never get over losing her to a heart attack: taken in Virginia 1974 after our third anniversary.



Thursday, April 27, 2023

STUFF!!

 Well, I guess spring is around the corner, but winter is stubborn. We had a freeze warning two days ago, today the temp. hit 50°

Last few days have been rainy, cool or overcast, plus my daffodils in the back yard are not blooming anymore.

Still making daily trips to the three local parks around here: Peck's Pond, Haverstraw Bay Park or Grassy Point.  I enjoy the breeze coming off the Hudson.

 Next couple of days should be interesting. I haven't worn a suit in 20 years. I have to go to my neice Meaghan's wedding on May 20th. I will be trying on old suits in my closet to see if they still fit.....such is life.

Met with the Historical Society the other day. Discussed my donation of Civil War records to them and a possible article.




Wednesday, April 19, 2023

HEAVY TRAFFIC

 I ran some errands  yesterday. In the course of which I used Routes 59, 202, 304 and 9W. Speed limits were posted between 30 and 40 mph. But the roads were so crowded, I barely went over 20 mph. And rode my brakes most of the time. 


The Traffic in Rockland County is ridiculous. Where the heck are all these people coming from or going to? At least I accomplished my main goal which was to get A new library card. My old one literally cracked in half. The county has historically had a very bad transportation system. Except for my time in the military and my 7 years of heaven in Virginia, I lived in Rockland all my life. I have never seen it this bad.


Tuesday, April 18, 2023

JUST THINKING ABOUT....


 54 years ago, I was a seaman apprentice newly assigned to an old Coast Guard Cutter. At 19 years old, I was on the Deck Force still learning the ropes.in 1967, we were charged with search and rescue and keeping a watchful eye on Russian ships right off our coast. This was the CGC TAMAROA, an old, old
 sea going tug that somehow managed to get us
 home after every patrol. The above photo was taken from the flying bridge in heavy seas.


Below is me relaxing on solid ground followed by a photo of the wheel house where I spent many hours steering the TAMROA through some sporty weather. Next is a photo I took of us towing the Mackinac down to be decommissioned.


Then a side view of the old girl in moderate seas. The last photo was when she was sunk as a reef off Cape May. There were a lot of heavy hearts that day.


She was an old cutter but she served her nation from 1943 to 1994. We crew members would bitch and moan about rotten weather, rescuing crazy fishermen, tailing the Russians and going after drug smugglers (we had 10 marijuana leaves painted on the bridge representing our drug busts). 

We had no air conditioning in 67-68. We squished 70 odd people in two tiny berthing areas, but when we left her or the CG, we always managed to remember the good times. Believe me serving your country on an Ocean Going Tug like this made you grow up fast!





I will always remember the lessons learned and the pride we felt when we sailed the seas with our national flag fluttering in the breeze.