A Trip Into Rebel Country

The Road to Emporia, Virginia

Yesterday my better half and I returned from our foray into Rebel Country, also known as "The South."  

Bill and I left our home in Delaware early Sunday morning (6:30 am) and headed south to visit my Mom in Greenville, South Carolina.  This would be a 12 hour trip.  We were driving straight through.  Those who know us know we were taking a great risk.  Not that we couldn't drive straight through in one day but that we could stay in the same vehicle without a major blow up.  You see, my loving partner is a major back seat (passenger seat) driver.

Long story short, we made the 630 mile trip to Greenville, South Carolina without major incident.  The trip took almost twelve hours.  We split the driving time between us.  I drove to Emporia, Virginia by way of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Bill took over from there until we almost reached Greenville.  I took over the last 50 or so miles because Bill was exhausted.

The Hyatt Place, Greenville, South Carolina

We arrived at the Hyatt Hotel on Orchard Lane in  Greenville, SC at approximately 6:30, almost 12 hours to the minute since we left Delaware.  We were exhausted.  After all, you have a 68 and an 81 year old man who just drove about 6 hours each between them.  We were knocked out.

The checkin desk at the Hyatt Place Hotel in Greenville, South Carolina

Bill was too exhausted to go out that night.  I called my brother John who, along with his wife and daughter, is taking care of Mom.  John arrived at the hotel about an hour later and took me to his home to visit with our Mom.  I haven't seen Mom since fall last year.  She moved down to John's on October 17th of last year.  We had planned to bring her to her home in Downingtown, Pennsylvania this spring but she is too weak to move.

My "little baby brother" John 

Mom came out of her bedroom pushing her wheeled walker ahead of her.  Of course she was glad to see Number 1 son.  No hugs or anything like that but a lot of gentle teasing.  We're not a "huggy" family although I have learned to hug since moving to the heavily populated gay community in the Rehoboth/Lewes/Milton area of southern Delaware.

Mom in her favorite chair in her new home in South Carolina

After a short visit with Mom, John took me to downtown Greenville to show off its charms.  I was impressed.  Downtown Greenville is a paradise.  As John drove us under the canopy of trees lit with small white lights that lined the main drag through Greenville, I marveled at how cosmopolitan this aptly named southern city had become since the last time I visited in the early 90's.

Downtown Greenville, SC at night - a city of lights

John took me to a restaurant called Sticky Fingers.  He is fond of their barbecue wings.  I got the pulled pork sandwich.  We both left with Sticky Fingers.  Too sticky to take a picture.

After a long day, and now that my appetite was satiated, I was ready to go back to the hotel and hit the pillows.

Two very welcoming beds for two weary travelers

The next morning, our adventure was about to begin.  During the next four days we would travel through the states of South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, and return through the states of Virginia, Maryland and then finally home to Delaware.  This would be one of those trips of which memories are made that last a lifetime.

The Road to Asheville, North Carolina - the mountains beckon us

To be continued.

I Left My Hat in Pennsylvania

Tony Bennett may have left his heart in San Francisco but I left my hat in Pennsylvania yesterday.

Yesterday Bill and I left early from our home near Milton, Delaware for the 2 ½ drive to Pennsylvania. The skies were clear and the sun shone brightly as we shot up Route 1 towards Rt. 896 for Newark, Delaware. Yesterday was one of those rare sunny days sandwiched in between the rain and cloudy skies this spring. We enjoyed viewing all the greenery on our way up to Pennsylvania. It was a lovely trip on a beautiful spring day. We couldn't have asked for a better day to make a trip.

My Mom and brother weren’t home when I first arrived at their house on Hopewell. They arrived as I was taking pictures of their house of all the fresh new green growth around their snug little ranch house. My brother drove up in his new red Toyota RAV with our Mom in the passenger seat. I go to help her out. She doesn’t want my help. Uh oh, she’s upset about something. She’s got something worked up in her mind that she’s mad at me. I’m not sure if it is our differing political views (she and my brother only watch Fox News and believe everything they see and hear on that faux news channel, including that Nancy Pelosi is the devil incarnate) or she’s mad because I didn’t visit her on Mother’s Day. Last year she was mad because I forgot to send her a Mother’s Day card. I made up for that this year, I sent her three cards over a period of a month prior to Mother’s Day. She didn't say anything about receiving any of them.

We all go down to the house. I try to make small talk. She is having none of it. She obviously has herself worked up into a state. Now here is the problem, this isn’t the Mother I’ve known for my 67 years. This is someone different. Yes, she is in pain daily from her 86 year old body. She recently developed Type 2 diabetes. She is on a restricted diet. She says her food has no taste these days. She has a balance problem. And, most of all, she still misses my father who died in August of 2000. She’s never been the same since he died. They were joined at the hip. When he died, much of her whole sense of purpose of living was gone. My Mother gets very depressed. She is depressed most of the time. Each time I see her it is harder and harder to bring her out of her depression.

Before I left I wanted to take some pictures of us outside in the beautiful spring day sunlight. My brother has two chairs in the driveway. My Mother has always liked to sit outside with someone and her cats. They used to have the chairs up in the garden but now I see they’re in the driveway. Maybe she wants to see the cars going by on the road or maybe she wants to see who is driving up the driveway. She likes to watch from a distance but would never go to a senior citizen center or anything like that for activity. Sitting in the chairs probably brings back memories of all the years she and my Pop used to sit in the same chairs near their garden at the end of a long day. The garden is no longer there now since my Father has died. It is an overgrown weed patch. There is nothing to see up there now.

My younger brother lives with and takes care of our Mother. She has an open invitation to live with me and also with my other brother in South Carolina. She can split the time between the three of us. But, she prefers to stay at her home of 50 years. My brothers and I have acceded to her wish as long as she can get around. Plus, she wants to be near her two cats, Molly and Rusty. She has always used the excuse of caring for her cats as a reason why she couldn’t move to my brother’s place in South Carolina. Both cats are older now (I think 16 years old.) Rusty isn’t doing well and may not be with us much longer. Molly is as fat and contented as ever and continues to act as a bed buddy for my Mom. Molly gives her a great deal of contentment and we don’t want to separate Mom from "Miss Martha", as she calls her longtime feline friend.

When it came time for me to leave, it was awkward. She told me that she didn’t think she would be around “too much longer.” She’s said this before. I’ve told her that we’re all going to die, we just don’t know when. I don’t know what else to say to her.

I drove away feeling guilty as usual. I picked Bill at the end of Hopewell Road. While I was visiting my Mother he was taking videos of the road we used to live on. Bill never wanted to move from Pennsylvania. He always gets very sad when he revisits the heavily wooded area were we used to live. He loves the hills and the winding roads. None of which we have in Delaware. All we have down here is open flat land with perfectly straight roads and a lot of wind. He's not happy living in Delaware and visiting Pennsylvania only reemphasises that feeling to him. I know I'm going to hear about that all the way back to Delaware. But, he's got a video now that he can watch. I promised him I would buy our old property back when I win the Powerball lottery. That hasn't happened yet but I'm way overdue. Any day now.

About an hour later we stopped for gas. I looked for my Colorado Rockies (CR) black hat with purple lettering. I didn’t have it. There you have it; I was so upset that I “left my hat in Pennsylvania.” When I got home to Delaware I called my Mother to confirm that I did leave my hat. She said I did. She said she would put it on my father’s bed and I could get it the next time I’m up. That will be in June. I will be attending the Downingtown High School Class of 2009 graduation ceremonies as a special guest because my DHS class of 1959 is celebrating their 50th anniversary this year.

My next trip I’ll stay at least two days. This running up and back in the same day is a killer for me and Bill and I don’t have enough time to spend with my Mom. I’m hoping my next visit will better and the Mom I used to know returns. I miss her. I miss that hat too, it was my favorite. I won't forget it the next time.

Super Bluebird

Lots going on here in Ron's World. Today I'm going to stick with the progress of my baby bluebirds in their bluebird house which is guarded by the biggest bluebird I've ever seen. It's a Super Bluebird! He's been fighting off swallows and sparrows from his five baby bluebirds. So far he has been able to repel all attacks from the barbarians.

As you can see from the picture I took a few minutes ago, the baby bluebirds haven't opened their eyes yet. That will probably happen in the next day or two. I will keep the readers of this blog posted when that event happens. In about a week they will be covered in a soft down of blue hued feathers. In about a month they're out on their own in the big world.

I always feel guilty when I open the front of the bluebird box to take my progress pictures. But I think Super Bluebird understands because he goes away a short distance and watches from his perch from my neighbor's screened in deck. As soon as I finish taking my pictures and turn around to return to the house, he flies back to his perch on top of the bluebird house. He looks at me and I can sense he understands that I am not a threat to his babies.

One more day of work then I have a few days off until Saturday when I go in to fill in for another co-worker who has a class. Tonight I'm filling in for a co-worker who is vacationing in Ireland (must be nice.) I have to get up to Pennsylvania to visit my Mom. I also have to return some genealogical items to my cousin Elsie Mae. I borrowed her parent's funeral books back when the winds were blowing cold. The trees are now green and the temperatures are warmer. I haven't been able to travel to Pennsylvania recently because I had a cold, too much rain, and my erratic work schedule at the hotel. I foresee sunny days and a clear work schedule in my future and I better make the trip soon. If I don't my family members may disown me.

This is a short post because I have to get ready for work. These four day work schedule are a bit much for me. I've gotten too used to the freedom of only working one or two days a week, Mondays and Thursdays. Four or five days in a row is a killer. I guess I got out of practice. I'm glad I have a job and a job that I like. Except perhaps for the issues I'm having with the owner but that is another whole story. I haven't decided yet whether or not I want to post that drama on my blog. Right now I'm going to put all of that out of my mind and enjoy this sunny, warm day.

Mom and Ike

This morning I had a long talk with my brother Isaac, who lives with and care for our Mom at our old family homestead in Pennsylvania. I haven’t been able to get in touch with them for a few weeks. We discovered the problem was that the phone was out.

Mom is 85 years old now. She has been in declining health ever since our father died August 22, 2000. They were married 61 years. Each one was the half of the other. Much of her problem seems to be depression. She also has a balance problem and is on a number of medications. Both of her sisters (one of which is now deceased) developed dementia. I’m afraid the signs are now showing Mom is also developing dementia.

I have two younger brothers. I live in Delaware, and my youngest brother lives in South Carolina. My Mom lives with my middle brother in Pennsylvania. We would prefer for her to move to my brother’s place in South Carolina where she can receive more professional care but she prefers to stay where she has lived for the past 61 years. I understand her need to be in her comfort zone. We will try to accommodate her as long as we can. She has her cats (Molly and Rusty) and her favorite bed set up in her living room. When she's not sleeping, she likes to watch “The Price is Right” and the Fox News channel. This is her routine and it gives her comfort.

Both my younger brother and I are worried about the burden that is being placed on our brother Ike. He has his own medical problems that he has to monitor. I’ve talked to him and he says he is managing. He loves our Mom and takes excellent care of her. Ike has the patience of a saint but there is always a limit before one becomes overwhelmed.

We’re facing a dilemma that our Mom needs to move into a more controlled environment but we also want to respect her wishes to live at her home. Ironically one of the things our Mom was most concerned about was being a burden when she became older.

After talking to Ike, I called my other brother in South Carolina. We also discussed Mom’s situation and we agreed to take it one day at a time. That’s all we can do now. I guess we always knew this day would come.

Note: Picture is of Mom and Ike circa 1954

Back From PA

Around 12:30 today I arrived back home from PA. I had a good two days in PA. Tuesday night was the first meeting of our 50th high school class reunion committee meeting at Carole’s house in Honeybrook. It was good to see the old classmates again. Our reunion date is set at October 17th, 2009 at the Whitford Country Club in Downingtown, PA. Pat W. and I are the “artistic” members of the reunion committee. We’re responsible for the reunion booklet. I’m also responsible for maintaining the address list and printing the reunion booklet.

Last night Carole and I met at the Brickside Grill for Trivia Night. Carole’s friend Sheila arrived later along with Ben B. I haven’t seen Sheila for a couple of years, since I sold my house in PA and moved to Delaware. We only had four members last night. We decided to call our team “What Happened to My 401K?” Even with a reduced team (we had six members last month), we still managed to come in third. Still, we (at least I did) had a great time. I enjoy these outings with friends. Also, it gives me a chance to do something with all the trivia I have accumulated in my head these past 67 years.

Yesterday was also a good day because I took my Mom to visit her sister at the Simpson Meadows Nursing Home. Even though my Aunt Jeanette has dementia, I think some part of her still recognized her sister and her nephew when we paid our afternoon visit yesterday afternoon. My Mom also seemed to cheer up noticeably. I will have to take her to visit her sister more often. It’s good to her Mom out and I think that it also has to be good for Aunt Jeanette. She will be 91 years old tomorrow, Friday March 13th.

My longtime good friend Bill and his wife offered me the use of their spare guest bedroom which I took advantage of. They have a lovely home and made feel right at home. Even their two cats didn’t seem to put out to have a bearded houseguest in their midst.

I also had a chance to visit my Aunt Mabel and Cousin Bud (her son who takes care of her.) I returned some old pictures she had loaned me for my genealogy research. All went well. I have no complaints at all about the trip. Perhaps the only thing was that it was cloudy the two days I visited. The sun didn’t come out until this morning when I left. Even though I had a wonderful visit it was still good to come home Delaware. All the years I lived in Pennsylvania, I can truthfully say that Delaware is truly my home.

The day was topped of by dinner at my friend Bob C.’s house tonight. Bill and I were met by our other “Bob” friend, Big Bob. We know a lot of Bob’s down here. Our good neighbor is another Bob. Bob M. Bob, Bob, Bob.

Normally I would be working at the hotel tonight but my hours were cut back. Instead of working Monday and Thursday nights, I only work Monday nights now. That’s just fine with me; it gives me more time to enjoy my life. I’ll say it again, I am very fortunate to have the life I have now. I am blessed with good health and good friends. For that I am very thankful.

In PA

Here I am in PA. I arrived yesterday about 12:30 at my Mom's house. I didn't tell her that I was coming up because she worries if I don't arrive at the specified time. So, my arrivals are always unannounced. Entering her small ranch house, her old calico cat Mollly was performing sentry duty sitting on the windowsill by the back door. She gave me a perfunctory glance, indicating she knew how I was and I could pass safely into the house. Shhe then returned to her vigil for a stray mouse.

Upon entering the house, all was quiet. Both my Mom and my brother were taking naps in the living room. My Mom on her platform bed that I gave to her years ago that she had put in the living room because it was good for her back. My brother Isaac was sleeping on the couch. I normally also take an afternoon nap, but I had a full schedule ahead of me.

I turned on her computer to check my e-mails and my Facebook account. I had to update my status on FB, priorities you know. No new e-mails or FB messages. By this time my Mom woke up and went into the kitchen. I turned the computer off and joined her in the kitchen. She told me she wasn't feeling good. This is our usual conversation. My Mother is 85 years old and feeling the effects of her age. She told me she is dying. Again, our usual conversation. I told her that we're all going to die. We just don't know when. I told her that I was going to Wegmans and asked her of she wanted to go. She didn't. I also told her that I would be staying at a friend's house for the two nights I was in Pennsylvania. My friend has invited me to stay at his place because he has a new guest room. I felt bad about turning him down the last time I was in PA. This time I took him up on his offer.

I left for lunch at Wegmans. I also had to pick up some hummus (their spicy hummus is the best "Mama Mia, thatsa soma spicy hummus!) and some other items for my short stay in PA. Back home, I spent more time with my Mom then I left for my friend's house and dinner. Later in the evening I was scheduled to attend a 50 class reunion committee meeting.

Dinner was great! We had spaghetti and meatballs. My friend's daughter had made the spaghetti sauce on Sunday. It seasoned well. Hot and spicy, just the way I like it. I had two servings. Delicious. Better than any restaurant meal I've had lately. Especially down Rehoboth Beach way. I don't know what it is with the restaurants in Rehoboth Beach, they're just so-s0. Expensive but not very memorable foodwise. I see a lot of Sysco trucks going down Route 1. Maybe that's the problem.

After dinner Bill B. and I watched a video of Big and Rich. Bill is a fan of Big and Rich. I enjoyed watching the video on Bill's 52 inch TV but he needs to get surround sound to get the best effect of the concert. I beat that horse to death. I kept telling him "You got to get surround sound, you won't believe what a difference it makes." I think he got the message.

After watching Big and Rich we left for the reunion committee meeting. It was good to see our classmates again. One thing is unmistakable, we're all aging. I guess so, after 50 years. Still, we had some good laughs and share some good memories. We still have the sense of humor of 17 year olds. That hasn't changed.

I took videos and pictures but I won't be able to post them until I get to my home computer. A generic picture will have to do on this blog posting.

Right now, I'm going to leave and hit the Exton Mall. A shopping mall, that's something else (besides Wegmans) that we don't have in Slower Lower. I'm going to do my bit to stimulate the economy today. Then I'm stopping my my Aunt Mabel to return pictures that she loaned to me for my genealogy research.

Tonight we have dinner at the Brickside Grill then play trivia. I'm looking forward to that. It's always a lot of fun to get together with friends and test our knowledge of absulutely useless facts. We just missed by one point winning a $50 gift cerificate the last time we played. We intend to win tonight. Especially since we have a new name for our team "What Happened To My 401 K?"

Tomorrow I leave for home in Delaware. I'm also looking forward to that. After all, in the end there really is no place like home. Even if it is in Slower Lower without shopping malls and a Wegmans.

Back Home from PA

The trip back home to Delaware from PA was much easier than the trip up to PA on Wednesday. The sun was out, the roads were clear, and the Summit Bridge was open. Coming back was a breeze.

It was good I went to visit Mom. She’s not doing well. I’ve had a long day. I will post more tomorrow.

Two More Days

Two more days in Pennsylvania. As I suspected, this has been an eye opening stay. I moved to Delaware permanently November 17, 2006. That was the last time I stayed overnight in Pennsylvania. I've made many visits since then but I've always returned the same day. Since it is a 2 1/2 hour drive both ways, that made for a long day. This trip I decided to stay a few nights out of respect for my Mother and to connect with friends.

My brother Isaac and I took our Mom to the doctor's office today. She needs help going anywhere because she can hardly walk. She now uses a cane. However, when one of us is around she will hang on to one of us. After the visit to the doctor, we took her to one of her favorite discount grocery stores. She's good if she can balance herself on a shopping cart. She likes to shop at the discount stores like the Dollar Store. She doesn't have to shop at those stores but that what she prefers. She grew up during the Depression (how ironic at the end of her life she us undergoing another economic depression) and it's hard for her to change her thrifty habits.

We had lunch at Wegmans. Oh how I miss Wegmans (I think I've made this point before.) Wegmans is just the best store ever. It has everything, plus a wonderful food court that is GOOD! Better than ANYTHING Rehoboth Beach or Lewes has to offer. Plus, I can get almost anything at Wegmans. I especially like their homemade spicy hummus. Try getting something like that at Safeway in Rehoboth. Yesterday I had lunch with a friend and I asked him if he and his wife were considering moving from Pennsylvania. He said "Why would I? Everything I want is here." He was right. Everything is right there in the Downingtown area. No traveling 30 miles to Dover or 90 miles to Wilmington to a half way decent shopping mall. But then, he can afford to pay the high Pennsylvania taxes. I couldn't. That's why I moved.

Pennsylvania is a beautiful state. The rolling hills, winding roads, streams and rivers. Delaware is basically a flat plain near the coast. Very few winding roads. I love Delaware and have no regrets that I moved there. But I still miss the state I was born in, Pennsylvania.

Tomorrow I have lunch with my former classmate Judy and her son Ben at my favorite restaurant in Pennsylvania, the Brickside Grill. I have enjoyed reuniting with friends and spending time with my Mother but I will be glad to go home again. When I return I won't be staying longer than two days.

I hope that bridge is open when I roll on down 896 on Sunday morning. I don't need any delays going home.

The Trip From Hell

Okay, here I am at Mom's in Pennsylvania. But getting here wasn't easy. My trip yesterday was the Trip From Hell.

I live in Sussex County, Delaware, approximately 2 1/2 miles from my Mom's home outside of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. The quickest way to travel to Pennsylvania is north on Rt. 1 to I-95 into Pennsylvania then Rt. 202. I hate I-95. Even though I'm only on it a short time (about 7 miles), I take Rt. 141 to avoid the bypass around Wilmington because if I take the whole I-95 I have to know EXACTLY what exits to take at speeds up to 80 MPH or else I end up in a residential section of Wilmington, which has happened to me more than once. The speed limit on I-95 is 65 MPH but you're putting your life at risk if you travel that slow. I have traveled at 75 MPH and have cars and trucks passing me on both sides!)

A few years ago I received advice from my dentist and his wife, who also have a home in Delaware and travel frequently between PA and Delaware, to take the "scenic route." The "scenic route" is Rt. 10 from Parkesburg to Rt. 896 through Newark, Delaware, over the Summit Bridge over the C & D Canal to pick up Rt. 1 in Delaware. Once I'm on Rt. 1 it's a straight shot for about 76 miles to where I live just off the left of Rt. 1 outside of Lewes, Delaware. My dentist's wife explained it succinctly when she said she would rather arrive at her home in a relaxed state rather than stressed out from the I-95 Road Warrior Games. This is the route I've taken for my many plesant trips back and forth between Pennsylvania and Delaware for the past two years.

Yesterday I left my home in Delaware, looking forward to a relaxing daytime trip on that sunny day to visit my Mother in Pennsylvania. This trip has long been postponed because of weather. I still had Christmas presents to deliver to Mom.

All went well until I exited Rt. 1 and took the short connection to Rt. 896 at Summit. Upon entering the road I noticed that there was very little traffic. Warning flags should have popped up but no, I was blissfully unaware of what I was about to encounter. Several miles up the road, I see the familiar orange cones directing me into different lanes. I could see the Summit Bridge in the distance. I saw a police car to the left, lights blinking on the car roof. I'm following the orange cones and notice that they are leading me away from the bridge. I see no signs. Only the cop car. I'm assuming the country road I'm traveling down is a detour. But then I'm thinking, "How can that be? I have to go over the canal." Then I realize, the road is only open for local residents. Dumb Ron. So I backtrack and go all the way back to Rt. 1.

North I travel on Rt. 1, to where I'm not sure. All I know is I don't want the road ahead of me to suck me into I-95. I travel north until I see a sign that says "Newark." That's where I want to go so I can pick up my "scenic route." The road is Rt. 272. It was another scenic trip for several miles through the suburban countryside of Newark until I entered Newark. Upon entering Newark I realized it was high noon and most of the college students of the University of Delaware were crowding the sidewalks and spilling over into the streets. I inched my way through the milling throngs of fresh young college student faces. Finally I see my connection to Rt. 896 and, with relief, I make the right turn exiting Newark and the college students.

Since I was so late I decided to call my elderly cousin Elsie in Kelton PA to return the old time picture that I had borrowed from her sister, who lives nearby her. I couldn't deliver it to her sister because I wasn't sure how to get to her place. I stop at the Country Kitchen for a quick lunch. It wasn't good. They called it Chicken Quesadillo but I call it "Chicken Queasy." After lunch with the "Chicken Queasy" battling digestion in my stomach, I called Cousin Elsie to tell her I'm arriving.

Cousin Elsie was waiting for me. I asked her for directions to her sister's home. She gave me some convoluted directions which normally I wouldn't even attempt to try. However, I was feeling confident because of my success in finding another way into Newark. Well, to make a long story short (and not to bore the ready), I tried FOUR TIMES to find Cousin Mary's home and I COULD NOT FIND IT. Admitting defeat, went back to Cousin Elsie and asked her to return the picture to her sister. She offered to show me how to get to her sister's home but warned me that she couldn't tarry because she had a pie in the oven. I assured her I wouldn't "tarry." The time was already approaching 3 PM. I had called my Mother and told her I would be at her home around noon. Already I'm three hours behind.

Well, Cousin Elsie got me to her sister's but she realized she had left a couple of roads out of her directions. She told me "Oh, I live her so long, I don't even think of those roads." Uh huh. Well, I was glad I could return my cousin's picture to her and I'm glad Cousin Elsie took time to show me how to get to her sister's home. I returned Cousin Elsie home in time so her pie didn't burn in the oven.

Finally, I arrive at my Mom's. I was tired. Last night I had a full schedule ahead of me. A classmate of mine had asked me to dinner at her home followed by a night of fun and festivities at Trivia Night at the Brickside Grille. Dinner was wonderful. I had a mini reunion with two of my classmates who I hadn't seen since I moved to Delaware. A friend of the hostess and her son were also at dinner.

After dinner we walked down to the Brickside Grille to play trivia. We did great. We were leading all the other teams until the last round. We only lost by one question. I'll take the blame for that. I could kick myself because we have a rule not to change answers. The first impulse is usually right. The question was "What reptile did John Quincy Adams keep in the White House?" Our hostess immediately answered "Crocodile". Crocodile? John Quincey Adams? Powdered wigs? Paul Revere? Cobblestone streets? I didn't think so. I changed the answer to snakes. Well, the answer was crocodile. Stick the rules the next time Ron. Still, we had a good night of camaraderie and friendship. I'm finding that the older I get the more fun I have getting together with my fellow oldsters. The usual topics of discussion are about our forgetfulness and latest aches and pains. However, it's all done in good humor.

We said our goodbyes and I headed out towards home. It was strange traveling the winding and twisting roads of Pennsylvania at night compared to the straight and flat roads of Sussex County, Delaware. I do miss Pennsylvania. I would have stayed if the taxes weren't so high, and getting higher. I am happy where I live now in Delaware, two miles from Delaware Bay.

I've decided to stay until Sunday. This is a good mini vacation. The bed in my Mom's house isn't as comfortable (it's in my Pop's former bedroom), and his picture is on the wall with that "What's the matter with you?" look I was all too familiar with when he was living. But I'm glad I have time to spend with my Mom. She's 85 years old now and not getting around too well. I took her shopping at Wegmans this morning which she enjoyed very much. I love Wegmans. Perhaps the number one thing I miss about living in Delaware.

Now to plan for the trip back to Delaware. I checked the Internet and it said the Summit Bridge would only be closed until Friday. God I hope so.