March 2023
PA, NJ, DE, DC, Ireland
1- W- PA
Cherry blossom tress are in full bloom today. They must have been bursting out for the last few days and I just didn't notice because they seemed to be in full bloom today. I love seeing the first bloom of the season.
I had dinner with Bill and Pat. We met in Ardmore and went to the Tired Hands Brewery.(1) I hate this place. They have such a snotty attitude. They will not serve flights because they think their beer sound be consumed one at a time. They drive me crazy and I hate giving them any business.
Afterwards, we went over to hear Ruthie Foster perform at the Ardmore Music Hall. I really like this venue and should come here more often. I need more friends who like to go to concerts. She's a blues singer and told everyone about a Blues cruise where she will be performing in the fall. Now I want to take this trip.
2- TH- PA
I'm hooked on a podcast story about a narcissist so I spent over 4 hours listening to one episode after another and I still have three more hours to put in to this story.
In the late afternoon, I made my way to center city to meet up with Teresa. Her daughter was in a school play so I came down to see it. We had dinner first at Little Pet's restaurant and then we were off to Mastermann School to see Legally Blonde. I thought it was a bit risqué for a middle school production but the parents seemed to love it.
3-F- PA
I finished my stupid podcast binge and the story ended with no resolution. I wanted the villain to be arrested and humiliated. But he is still out there, harassing women. I want him vilified on social media.
It's chilly and rainy so I am staying inside. I have to run down to the drug store that is about 600 steps away. But is is raining too much to walk there and I can not justify driving there. So my prescription will have to wait until tomorrow.
OAT sent me a brochure about their discounted trips. So now I am looking at a trip to Turkey and another trip to the Adriatic countries: Croatia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Herzegovina and Slovenia. None of these countries existed when I was in high school. And so I know nothing about them.
Debbie had another party, a Mardi Gras party. Everyone was having a good time until one of the guest fell face first from the kitchen counter to the floor. He cut himself a little and refused ice fro his face and then he tried to act as if nothing happened. But he left shortly thereafter and so did I.
4- SA- PA
I went to Middle Creek in search of snow geese and the moment was a huge disappointment. They are all gone which is early for them. This warm winter made it difficult to find these birds this year. My snow geese onsession is finished for this year.
Afterwards, I went to the Lebanon Valley brewery (2). My beers were good but I'm not sure I will come back here.
I had another damn, reoccurring school dream.
5- SU- PA
I stepped out on my balcony and noticed some of my perennials were sprouting out through the dirt in my planters. I love that moment. I feel so hopeful for spring and warm weather. So I called out and interrupted the people sitting in the court yard below. I told them about these buds and that I thought this information might give them a glimmer of hope. They laughed. And one young man told me that I was a glimmer of hope. I was flattered.
Glenn made a delicious veal pasta dinner tonight. The Hakes, the Caseys and the Yangs were all there. It was fin to be together as I don't think I have seen all of them since the fall. Theo is adorable and Peter is hysterical with his beautiful curly mohawk cut. And Elliot is just such a big kid now.
6- M- PA/NJ
My intent today was to drive to Erie, PA to catch some bird migrations along Lake Erie. It's almost a 6 hour drive. But I got up too damn late for that long drive. So I drove to Asbury Park, Nj instead.
I have been taking sleep aids for the last several nights. And while they don't help me fall asleep, they have been great at helping me stay asleep. Last night I was in a deep sleep and had multiple dreams. And they all seemed to be interrelated. And of course, I had a reoccurring school dream.
Before checking in to my hotel, I went to KANE Brewery (3). Ny two beers were good but they don't have fights and they were too expensive. So I wouldn't recommend this pace to anyone.
I stayed at the Empress Hotel. I asked for an ocean view room with a balcony and the woman told me that I could have any room i wanted as there was only one other guest and me at the hotel tonight. This place is a ghost town tonight.
7- TU- NJ
I drove around the area today and this beach area just doesnt grab me. I dont think it would interest me to rent a place here for the week.
On the way home, I stopped at the Jughandle Brewery (4)- NJ. The beers were good but the place had a bad smell so I wont be going here again.
8-W- PA
In the midafternoon, I wandered over to the new coffee shop, Mayday's Cafe- bday goal. I liked the vibe, my grilled cheese sandwich was delicious and it could be a fun place to bring my laptop and just write.
Sharon hosted a Great Dames event.
In the evening, I hung with Kristen in the lounge. She was working and I was working and occasionally, we would exchange a few words here or there.
9- TH- PA
I'm a bit behind in meeting my bday goals so I went to he Bday Gryphon Coffee Shop. I liked the place yesterday. It's a bit more customer friendly.
It was three years ago around this time that people were taking about a two week shutdown. I remember thinking that we would never stand fir that. At this point, I didn’t have any masks or hand sanitizers and I wasn’t practicing social distancing.
10- F- PA
I went to Let’s roll- bday goal- and got three delicious pizza muffins. OMG, they were delicious.
book- bird book
book- nickels boys
book- foster
11- SA- PA
sally and Stacy and I went to Phoenixville and went to two breweries: Rebel hill brewery (5) and Conshocken brewery (6)
two shakes the waiter
12- SU- PA
What a day. I spent it at Llanarch County Club with Kathy F, Sally and Mrs Flatley. Sean F was performing Irish music as we kick off whats now a weekly celebration of St Patrick. Sally and I met up with e others and somehow became entwined in the nuns' tables. And I had to sit with them and chat them up and play nice and Kathy and Sally laughed at me.
13-M- PA
After numerous calls, I finally hooked up with my Chinese student, Suzanna. She is on a cross country trip from Arizona to LA to NOLA to GA to NC to Canada. She bought a car and seems to be working remotely as she makes her way across the country to visit one WAFW facilitator after another. She wants to come see me but I think I might be interested n her road trip to Canada. She wants to go to Toronto and Nova Scotia and asked if they were near each other. When I told her how far apart they are, she was surprised but not deterred.
I'm almost packed for my trip. So far, I am doing well with the packing but every few minutes, I find another small item to stuff in my bag. I'll go through it tomorrow and eliminate things I am bringing my inflatable pad and some inflatable pillows but they aren't really taking up much room.
I just booked a 4:30 PM reservation at the Guinness Brewery for March 17. I can't wait.
14- TU- PA
Lauren and I went to dinner at POKE and then we went off to listen to Irish music at WCU. The performance was great and it set the tone for my trip to Ireland. As we were waiting for the show to start, I felt a need to tell everyone within ear shot of me about my good fortune with my reservation at Guinness. The consensus was a slight tinge of jealous and I felt smug.
15- W- PA/Ireland
Today is a day of waiting. My flight isn't until 10:00PM tonight so I am hesitate to do much today because I have a hundred random thoughts about what could happen if I wander outside and my car breaks down or I lose track of time or any other issue that could delay my arrival at the airport. I am ready to get started on this trip.
So we will start heading to the airport around 6:30 and then we will hurry up and wait there until we can board the plane.
16- TH- Ireland
We landed, got through customs and were out of the airport by 10:30 AM. We found a taxi and made our way to the Cottages in Bettystown, about a 40 minute drive north of Dublin. We have a small thatched roof cottage for the week.
We slept until late afternoon and then walked on the beach to town. I couldn't believe how far out the tide was. It must have extended over 1/4 of a mile to the wavs and even then, the water seemed so shallow. I wonder how far out you would have to walk to go for a swim.
Most eating places were closed by this time we got in to town so we ended up at the Neptune Beach Pub for too many beers, seafood chowder and a beef taco which was really a large beef sandwich.
Then we walked back to the cottage, complaining and moaning the entire time.
17- F- Ireland
It's St Patrick's Day and we are in Dublin, Ireland. This has been a lifelong dream to be here on this day.
We have reservations at the Guinness Brewery (7) at 4:30 PM. This is a bucket list goal.
I had another reoccurring school dream.
18- SA- Ireland
The beauty of this trip is there is that we have established there will be no effort to move quickly through the day. It is not our intention to suck the marrow out of the moment. Rather, we are wandering through Ireland at a slow, pleasant pace. So it was 2 PM by the time we got ourselves out on the streets of Bettystown.
We had brunch at the Relish Cafe and our waitress gave us the table right by the window that overlooked the Irish Sea and the day was beautiful. I had the seafood platter of crab, prawn and smoked salmon and then I had a cappuccino and I was so damn happy, I could cry.
We made our way to the Neptune Bar. We had to get there early to get good seats to watch the championship game of the Six Nations rugby match. We found excellent seats right at the bar with great TV viewing. And two men who sat next to Sally were more than happy to explain every blow, tactic, bad call and nuisance of the game. We won, Ireland won and the men told us numerous times, "Ladies, this is history. You are watching history. This is the first time Ireland has won on Irish soil."
19- SU- Ireland
It' Mother's Day today in Ireland. So the streets were fairly quiet today. Sally and I boarded the 51 bus and made our way to Morinton. We were in search of a particular cemetery at the local Catholic church and we couldnt find it. We did find a small cemetery by a deserted church so we roamed around there for a bit. I loved reading the head stones. The entire family history was chiseled on that stone.
We stopped at the Moran Pub in hopes of discovering that this may be a long lost family pub of Sally's. Her grandmother was a Moran.
Our next stop was the McDongue Pub coffee and bar shop and it was a bit of a bust.
20- M- Ireland
We took the bus and the train to Skerries, about 5 miles down the road. I loved this town. It was a fishing town filled with small boats. We got a taxi to the harbor and our driver suggested a few places to try.
Our first stop was the Stoop Your Head Restaurant. We sat at the bar because all of the seats were taken with reservations for lunch. I had a delicious seafood chowder and an O'Hara Pale Ale. I also ordered an open fave smoked salmon sandwich which I couldn't begin to eat because I was so full from the chowder. So the waitress just packed it up for me and I ordered another beer.
Next, we wandered up the street to Joe May's Pub. It was filled with men who had nowhere to go for the afternoon and they were ready to chat us up.
"You came to Ireland with two new lungs. And when you leave, you are going to need two new livers because of all your drinking,"
21- TU- Ireland
It's our last day of exploring Ireland and I'm a little sad. We now have our lazy routine down to a science and we leave tomorrow.
Today's town to explore is Drogheda, about five miles away from us. It's more of a small city. But to our suprise, many of the pubs didnt open up until 3PM. So we had some time on our hands. We did find two church so Sally finally got to lit a candle for her mom. She told me she "felt something" as she lit the candle. I am so glad that task is behind her. That would have been unfinished business for her.
At Clark and Sons Pub, Sally learned how to pour a proper Guiness and we both got certificates to prove it. Gleason's Pub did not hold our interest ast all. The Grey Goose Bar had more craft beers than any place we have seen all week.
22- W- Ireland/PA
We head home today. I hate to leave. The week has been so pleasant. I think Sally is ready to go home. And my liver could use a break.
23- TH- PA
It is rainy and gray today and a perfect day to do nothing but lay around and feel sorry for myself because I am home from my trip to Ireland. I did go to COSTCO and I bought too many things. I spent $175 which is more than double of what I usually spend.
I drove through town and discovered that the scaffolding in front of Rite Aid is finally down. It's been up for five years and now the place isn't recognizable. The scaffolding has been up so long that it has become a storm shelter for our homeless. I wonder where they will go during the day when it is raining or snowing.
24- F- PA
It's my dad's birthday. He would be 95 today.
I took two gummy sleep aids and slept soundly until 8 AM. And I was wide awake but didn't get up because that is too early to get up when I beautiful have anything planned for the day. So I rolled over and listened to my audiobook, Women Talking, for two hours. I had another hour to go to finish the book but decided to return it at this point. The dialog was getting repetitive.
I had another reoccurring dream about my Carpenter's Point house. I don't think I've had one of these dreams in two years. It was creepy.
I was in the lounge before noon. But I didn't get much work done because people wanted to hear about my trip and I wanted to tell them.
I had to usher at Uptown and it was an unpleasant assignment. I didn't like the two other women who were ushering with me. Chip was there and he gets on my nerves. Ive seen this performer before and I don't like her music. And she kindly brought sandwiches, cookies and cup cakes for the crowd and I ate all of them. I was disappointed in me for surrendering to sugar.
25- SA- PA
I had eight days of rain in Ireland and now I am on my third day of rain here and I need sunshine. I seemed to have found a sleep aid that is working for me. I slept well last night. But I still lack energy because of the weather.
The crowd at Uptown was excited about tonight's performer. She has over 4,000,000 TicTok followers and I never heard fo her. But the crowd loved her.
Twitter: The longer it takes to arrest Trump, the more dangerous and deranged he will become. He is a threat to society. #LockHimUpAlready #TrumoIsACriminal #TrumpIndictments
26- SU- PA
Sally, Stacey, Mary, Deb, Lisa and I met at the Root Down Brewery (8). I usually like this place but they have stopped serving flights so I am not going to make an effort to go here anymore. They make so many IPAs that it will be too fristrating to have to pick just one.
In the midst of our conversation, a new flash notified us that therer was water crisis in Philly. The water was contaminated with a chemical and people were ureged to find water from other sources. That put a panic in Deb, Lisa nd Mary as they all run daycare cneters in Philly. So they drank up and ran off in search of volumes of water.
I was in contact with Sharon, Deirdre and Heather and I was asked to find water for them as there is a water emergency in Philly. I went to the nearby dollar store, bought 14 gallons and had enough for all three families.
Once I had secured enough water, I went to the liquor store to buy a small bottle of bouron, a bottle of irish whiskey and two bottle of irish cream. I wanted to try out that drink we had in ireland. My drink was too strong. I went with a 1:1 ratio of hard liquor to irish creme and I am going to have to correcct that receipt. All I could taste was th hard liquore. And my irish cream currdled when I mixed in the liquors.
When I got home I hanging in the lounge with Sharon E when Carol came by. The three of us went to the Square Bar for dinner. I really don't like that place but I was hungry and too lazy to walk elsewhere. My food was good and we didn't stay long so it wasnt too bad.
The Republican Party is losing its mind. A school principal had to resign because 6th graders, in his school, saw a photo of the stattue of David by Micangelo and enough parents thought this are pornographic that the principal had to resign or be fired.
27- M- PA/DC
For years, I've wanted to go to DC to see the Cherry blossom trees. Two years ago, I read a newsparere article that suggested I go to the neighborhoods near DC and avoid the crowds. I did that and it was not satisfyong. Last year, I wanted too long and then there werer three days of heavy rain before I finally made my way down there. And there wasnt a petal on any tree anywhere.
But I rolled in to DC and suddenly, the place exploded with cherry trees. They were everywhere and people were everywhere. It was beautiful. I drove around and took photos as I waited at red lights. I parked twice and took a few photos. But i didnt park and walk anywherer because it was drizzling and raining and unpleasant at tomes.
On the way out of town, I stopped at the Rock Bottom Brewery (9) in MD. My beers were delicious.
28- TU- PA
I had to set my alarm today because I had to meet Sharon at 1 PM for lunch. She wanted to take me out to lunch to thank me for the water I got for her family. So I brought my 14 gallons down. We went to the 4th Street Deli and shared a huge shrimp salad sandwich and then she insisted that she buy me a 4 pack of beer. We went to this little shop and the beers were a rip off. I didn't want her to pay that much for these beers. But she insisted and the 4 pack cost almost $30. That is too damn much money for beers.
I came home and tried to get Paulo to join me for a beer. But he didnt have time and he didn't want to rush the experience. So we will have a beer together tomorrow.
My new denim eye glass frames came in today so I ran off to COSTCO to get them fitted for a new sunglass prescription. They should be ready in two weeks and I cant wait to see how they turn out. The denim is darker than what I wanted but that should be OK. The frames are really well made.
My high school art teacher died a few days ago. She was 94 and I have been thinking of her because there is so much controversy over a principal who allowed his 6th graders to see a photo of the statute of David. Some parents thought this was pornographic. The nuns showed my classmates these photos back in 1968. We thought it was beautiful.
It's 6PM right now and the sun is shining. It's a welcomed friend. I've been in such lousy weather for the last ten days and to see it so sunny and light at this time of evening is a treat.
Tweet: We have much bigger issues than drag queens in our libraries. Our kids are being slaughtered in the name of freedom. The survivors are living in terror. Our freedom is being held hostage by the #NRA #GunReformNow #NRAGOPBloodMoney #NRAOwnstheGQP
29- W- PA
I had made previous arrangements to meet Paulo at 4PM for a beer tastig in the lounge. I showed up at 355 and was chastized by him for being late. Kevin, Pete and Judy joined us and we hd to many beers and went through all ofhtem so I ran upstairs and got more. Then Zack from th e front office joiend us and I wnet and got more beers and then we drank too much and had a fun time.
In the midst of all this, two college women interrupted us an asked if we were educators. They were listening in on our conversation. They are seniors at WCU, they wanted my advice. I told them that my advice was too old but I would connect them to someone who could help them.
30- TH- PA
I stopped by the Greek Resturant in Narberth to see of this is a place where i could host a small party after my April 28 ceremony at MMA.
Then I ran off to Pica's to have dinner with Sue and Kevin. I ordered my meal of prime rib and then I also orderd an eggplant parm and a pizza to go. What a pig.
Trump is indicteed for 30 crimes. FUCK him! And it's about time. He belongs in jail.
31- F- PA
Today was tax day for me. I hate, hate, hate doing my taxes. So I sat in the lounge and looked at my last two years of taxes and just came up with some numbers to submit. I didnt do a very good job of keeping good records this year.
I visted three cemetaries today: Friends' . Two of them are part of my birthday goal
In the evening, Sharon E and I went to the Peter Adler theatre- bday goal to watch the students' one act plays. Most of them were terrible. But I still admired them for putting themslves out there for public syrtony.
Afterwards, we went to Santino- bday goal for an after theare drink.
It’s 1030PM and I am sitting on my balcony. I love to sit here. There is a gentle, chilly breeze and it feels like a welcomed friend.
Tweet: Has the death and destruction started yet in your area? So far, it’s more joyful where I live. #LockHimUp #TrumpIsACriminal #TrumpisaNationalDisgrace #TrumpIsALoser #TrumpBelongsInPrison
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