The First School Year Without Me

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10 years ago

Bridget E Kelly

September 1, 2010  · 

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I'm sitting on the beach, thinking of everyone who is going back or is already back to school. I hope evreyone has a great year and start the school year without me.

6Chris Belton, Jill Potter and 4 others

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• Carmella Lewis

  That makes two of us... although I think they have been doing that for the last 11 years!

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• Lynn Talbot

  Watch out for the big waves Isn't the start of the school year great when you are retired?

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• Gail Scerbo

  Being on a public site, I will refrain from saying what I am really thinking 

  6 more years and I'll join you!

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• Sarah Phillips

  ENJOY and congratulations!!!

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• Chris Belton

  Strange beginning the year and not hearing your laughter somewhere in the hallways....

  Enjoy the beach!!!! We miss you!

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• Jean Bowes Caffrey

  Jealous!!

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• Dan Tracy

  Just not the same

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• Ruth Snyder

  Somehow I don't really think you are very sincere... Wish you were here!!

  

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• Cathy Keenan

  You know I miss you...really!

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• Karen Langford

  Fonda and I swore we saw you today in your car! Wow we are creating apparitions just to feel like you are hear with us....I hope you are enjoying the waves and sun:) Miss you!

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• Fonda Akins

  I am envious; I want to be on the beach with a cool, refreshing beverage in my hand!!!

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• James L. McCarthy

  Aren't you supposed to be at St. Joe's teaching curriculum? Don't sit too close to the beach unless Earl has taken a turn east.

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• Sloane Manning Housten

  Your not even funny. I started back to work Monday. Not having any fun. 

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• Jaye Pedante

  I'm with ya, Sister!

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• Ruth Snyder

  Ok Jaye - now you are just rubbing it in...

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• Kathryn T Nicolella

  I just wish you could all be with me. I've been working since 8/18. And I do think you would all ejoy spending a day with me in paradise while I work with my 200 lb,cognitively impaired, 17 yr. old dwarf, who just wants to grab my boobs, as french kiss me. He gets a little violent when I say no. I have to restrain him, he likes to rub the back of his head on my boobs when I do this. He is just the right height as I have to stradle his feet, cause if he isn't grabbing me he likes to kick. Finally, I really am someone's cougar!

  

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• Sloane Manning Housten

  Only you KT. 

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A Flight to China

FB post

Flights to China

August 31, 2020

I was supposed to travel China last April. But that didn't happen. So now I am waiting until it is safe to return. The university, where I teach, opens up next week for in-person classes.

I just got an alert on airline fares to China. My flight in April was $450. I usually pay $1200 to travel to China. Prices are a little higher today.

United Airlines United Airlines

Sat, Sep 19 02:14pm

ZFV

39h 31m

3 stops

05:45pm+2 days

$10,417.60 +$62.36 (taxes)=$10,479.96

Price per person (incl taxes & fees)

Living By The Sea

I always have this fantasy that I should move to some remote place by the sea, in a quiet, quaint home  and really dedicate my time and energy to my writing.  I have these erroneous ideas that this isolation would cause me to become a prolific writer.  I would be free from distractions. After all, what else is there to do in these remote corners of the world. 

In the winter, I  have images of grand snow storms and a warm fire place and hot cups of coffee. In the spring, I sit in my yard and wait for the return of the flowers and the butterflies and the leaves.  I'm in my Adirondack chair, drinking coffee.  In the summer, I am kayaking and swimming in the cool water and drinking iced coffee.  And in the fall, the most gorgeous time of the year, I pull out my sweater again, strap my camera over my shoulder, hike around the area and  take an endless volume of photos of the fall foliage.  I spend evenings, at the kitchen table, going through all of my photos as I sip my coffee, which has grown cold now.

And then I think about my life now.  I waste too much time and there are things to do and places to go in my neighborhood.  I could never live in that much isolation.  I would go crazy.  I would feel stuck.  I would be in constant self discussions about my cream for my coffee.  Do I have enough.  Do I have to make the 17 mile drive to the local food store.  Why don't I just learn to drink it black.  And what about the damn snow.  Do I really want to spend all afternoon, clearing a path from the front door to the damn car.  And then I have to get all of that damn snow off my car.  And what if my car battery died from the cold. And I would have to make an effort to connect with people so I dont become a looney tune.

I think I will stay right where I am.

Bellefonte Brewery

 Bellefonte Brewery

Wilmington, DE

It's very hard to find this place but it was worth the effort.  There are 14 beers on tap and I had a flight of six IPAs.  They were all delicious. The pours were generous (6ozs) and responsible.  The staff was friendly and happy to engage people in conversations about beers and other breweries that they liked.  I liked the vibe of this place.

This Is All I Could Find

FB Post

This Is All I Could Find

A Face Book Post to My Classmates

West Chester, PA

July 20, 2020

I keep my high school friends in the loop of everyone's business.  I have become sort of the self appointed captain of the class.  So I arrange the dinners and send out the news.  Today, a memory came up on my Face Book page about Linda.  I had forgotten about her so I went searching and found that we had lost her.  In our 1973 class of 50, we are down 5 classmates, 10% now.  And I anticipate that I will be sending notices like these on a more regular basis now that we are all so damn old.

Dear Friends,

I regret to inform you that I discovered that Linda Oleary died two years ago. As you may remember, she sent us a message to our FB group about two years ago and there after, she went missing. She wrote about being assaulted and suffering a severe brain trauma and ending up homeless. I went searching for her at that time but nothing came up. Today, I went on her FB wall and someone made a comment that she had died.

This is all I could find:

Sheetz, Linda O'Leary, 63, of Long Beach, died 7/9/18. www.OmegaSociety.com

To Plant Memorial Trees in memory, please visit our Sympathy Store.

Published in Orange County Register on Aug. 15, 2019.

Angkor Wat

Angkor Wat

Cambodia

July 2005

I don't remember what I knew about this ancient site before I visited it.  But I was overwhelmed by the massiveness of it when I went there.  Our guide told us that the land mass is bigger than Manhattan and I just can't believe it.  We spent the better part of the whole day there.  And then I skipped the next day tour and returned here because there was just so much to see.  We were allowed to climb freely amongst the ruins which was surprising as I don't think American tourists are trustworthy enough to deserve this privilege.  We ruin everything.

 

New Countries

New Countries

We Need A New Rule

I Can't Remember All of Them

It's tough enough trying to stay current with technology as it changes every day.  But I am finding that it is also difficult to stay current with changing countries.  Sometimes I will be in a conversation with some one and a particular country pops up in the conversation and I will think to myself, "Why didn't I learn about this country when I was in school?"  And then it dawns on me that this country did not exist when I was in high school 50 years ago.


So we need a new rule:  when a country changes its name, it has to go by both names for 50 years so that we can all understand the conversation.

Here are a few that really throw me off when I get in a conversation with a history buff or a geography buff:

• Burma
• Yugoslavia
• Czechsolovakia
• Ceylon
• Rhodesia
• West Pakistan
• East Pakistan
• USSR
• Zaire
• Yugoslavia
• British Hondorus

A Pleasant Eving in Wales

 A Pleasant Evening in Wales

Bridget E Kelly

 is at 

Crafty Devil's Cellar

.

September 21, 2018  · Cardiff, United Kingdom  · 

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A Basket Case, Orange Juice Blues and Lust for Life. I am the Resurrection is next on my list.

20You, Kathi Lewis, Julia Kelly Maslanka and 17 others

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The Dream Team

EMAIL Correspondence

The Dream Team

Teaching in Nepal

WAFW Facilitators' Group

November 2017

In the fall of 2017, I agreed to go to Nepal for 8 weeks to teach leadership skills to young women in Nepal.  We would be living near Katmandu.  I was fine with the assignment and all fo the hardships that were to go along with the moment.  However, the comment about courage really threw me for a loop.

From Jerrie (CEO of the organization): I couldn’t have imagine such a dream team for beginning the Academy in Nepal.

Thanks for the all the Founding Facilitators  … who have been on site and who are in the queue to go.

We are doing ground breaking work.  Giving Thanks for the team you are!

Jerrie

From: Laura Nitsos 
Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2017 6:07 PM
To: 
Subject: RE: Another milestone

I’m ready to wrap up and get home! Had a strong finish with the Luvu group for yesterday’s lab and ES: 20 in attendance and beautiful energy! I know I’ve reached some of them, and that’s what matters.

Denise, thanks so much for your support before and during my module! I hand over to very competent hands, and look forward to hearing all about the next 4 weeks!

Laura

From: Bridget Kelly 
Sent: Thursday, November 23, 2017 4:56 AM
To: Denise love
Cc: Jerrie Ueberle;
Subject: Re: Another milestone

After a week at being on the road, I am looking forward to getting started. I just wish Laura would stay for just 4 more weeks. I'll keep you posted.

On Nov 23, 2017, at 1:54 PM, Denise love < wrote:

As Module 2 nears completion, thinking of you all!  Jerri, hello from Australia.  In Sydney being Grandma at the moment! Constantly thinking of Nepal though!!! 

H Laura, I remember being at this stage of the month, relived, dreaming of a comfy bed, variety of food, and feeling like I would leave a substantial part of “me behind” in the form of blood, sweet and tears and joy and connection!  Enjoy your time in Kathmandu!  They now have room heating! 

Bridgette welcome to a special place....sending you courage for the cold and hard beds....but I hope the members will keep your heart warm.....if not challenge it a little, break it a little with attandance no doubt!  Chat if you need to air frustrations!!!! 

Denise Love RN MN

lifeOptions Inc. 

September 2019

September 2019

PA, DE, NY, DC, NJ

1- SU- PA- It's Labor Day weekend which means the end of the summer.  This weekend always depresses me.  It's the end of warm afternoons, water ice, long days, my garden, beach opportunities, the swimming pool, grilling, 4th of July parades, street fairs and all other fun summer things.  It's now the official start of shorter days, sweaters in the evenings, closing up the windows, and complaining about the cold. The only redeeming thing about this moment is that next weekend starts the release of pumpkin beers.  I cant wait.  This afternoon, I went to the movies to see Where'd You Go Bernadette. It was quirky, unbelievable and fun and I love it.  Afterwords, Debbie and Jeff and I went to the Stone Bar for dinner.  We came back to the apartment building and watched a David Capella comedy special, Sticks and Stones.  He has a sharp mind and a cutting wit.


2- M- PA- it's Labor Day and the end of the summer as I know it.  There was a slight chill in the air today.  everyone is talking about school and no one was at the pool today.  The afternoon rain storm did its best to confirm that summer days are gone.  I went to Longwood Gardens, the last of my 12 museum pass that I bought for the summer.  There was a fun water fountain show but I spent most of my time at the conservatory and photographed the orchids, all of which were beautiful.

3- TU- PA- I held what is becoming my yearly faculty meeting fro retired teachers.  We met in Media, PA at Quotations and Wanda Sykes, the comedian was sitting at the bar.  It was fun to get tighter with these people.  We spent so many years of our lives together and now we hardly see each other.

4- W- PA- I had to take a woman to her cancer treatment today.  I've taken her before.  She's 90 and determined to beat this second bout of cancer.  However, she isn't giving up her smoking habit.  I don't have that much will to live.  Maybe I should take up smoking.  Afterwords I headed to Bald Birds Brewery in Audobon. My first shipment of menstrual cups came in today.  I'm taking them to my students in Bangladesh in November.  I hope they like them.  I came home and watched a movie on my damn phone: Dirt Bag, the story of Fred Beckly, one of the all time great mountain climbers of all times.

5- TH- PA- I am determined to write all afternoon.  I've gotten away from my writing.  When I went to Israel in February, I got out of the habit of writing every day and I just can't get back in to this routine.  Consequently, I have stopped publishing a daily story on the Internet.  And while I know no one is crying over this fact, it was just about the only disciplined thing I did in my life.  I have to get back to writing every damn day. In the evening,  The Secret Life of Pets was shown on a big screen by the pool.  It was chilly.  I had to put on a sweater which annoyed me.

6- F- PA- I wandered up to Lancaster today.  What a nice little town.  I went to two breweries: Rumspringa Brewery and VooDoo Brewery.  I enjoyed both of them.  Then I came back and sat in the lounge with Ginny and complained about my health insurance problems. I have to start looking at medicare supplement options.  How did I get to be so damn old?

7- SA- PA/DE-  I spent the day trying to find someone/anyone to go to Locust Lane Brewery to watch the PSU game.  But I had no luck. So I went to Dom and Jaye's house and watched it with them.  We won and it was a fun evening.

8- SU- PA- I wanted to go out and about on this beautiful day.  Instead, I stayed inside and watched the Eagles win.

9- M- PA- I had to go to the dentist to have him check on my damn broken tooth.  He said all is healing well.  And he wants to put an implant in around late November.  But I am going to Bangladesh around that time and I do not want anything to go wrong and then I am in Bangladesh with a mouth infection.  So I will wait until my return in January.  But I am also considering going to Costa Rico because the dental care there is so much cheaper. I watched the movie Late Night on my tiny, little cell phone screen.

10- TU- PA- OMG, it's a beautiful day. Shelia came over for lunch.  And she wanted to talk to me about medical marijuana and THC.  It was comical to listen to her as she attempted to help her critically ill friend who's in pain and who's drug connection just got arrested.  Now Shelia wants her relieve her pain but she is afraid of any potential illegal behaviors and consequences.

11- W- PA- Kathy Flatley called me and asked if I could go to a last minute movie with her.  I was up fro it and so we saw Brittany Runs a Marathon which was poignant and relatable to all of us who have had toxic friends.  Afterwords we went to her sushi restaurant which I just love.  We had waygu beef on a hot, hot rock.

12- TH- PA- Debbie and I went to a double-header matinee movie event and it was great fun.  We went to see Peanut Butter Falcon and loved, loved, loved it.  I want to see it again.  Then we ran tot he bar and had a quick beer and then came back and watched Luce which was not as good as I thought it would be.  I packed rotisserie chicken which I ate during the movie and I had a fun, fun day.

13- F- PA- It's Friday the 13th with a full moon looming over us.  I finally got some of my old artwork pieces together and took them to get framed at Kent Studio.  It's an old place where I used to go with my mother years ago.  They are still in business and still a great deal.  I took 5 pieces to be framed and it is less than $300.  That's a deal.  Then I headed to 2SP Brewery, in Aston, and I am mad at them. I wanted a flight.  They had a deal for 6 beers that they picked but I wanted to pick my own so they gave me 4 (8oz) beers.  That's too much damn beer.

14- SA- PA- Penn State won the football game but it was a hard game to watch.  The last two weeks, we had blowout games and this game was shaken until the last play.  afterwords, Sharon, Glenn, Tricia, Bill and I went out to an Italian restaurant for dinner and then we went to the Colonial Theatre to watch the movie Big Night.  I've seen this movie as least four times and I love it.

15- SU- PA- its a gorgeous day and it's Restaurant Festival in West Chester. Jaye, Dom and Lauren joined me as we wandered around town and tried out a few treats. I had the Hawaiian barbecue chicken. They left and I joined Debbie and Jeff at the Square Bar for an outdoor concert.  Then I went home for a quick nap before the Eagles' game but I never made it up for the rest of the night.  I just can't nosing bastards.drink beer in the afternoon and then function in the evening.

16- M- PA- it's a cloudy day and so is my mood.  I have no energy.  The big high of the day was when I discovered that my soupy water trap has 4 dead lantern flies in it.  I'm making progress in destroying those annoying flies .  I booked my trip to Bangladesh.  I leave Nov 24 and come back on Dec. 30.  I am hoping to get a quick trip in to Burma while I am there.

17- TU- PA/ NYC- I drove up to the Staudts' house in West Chester County, NY and Kathy and I took the train in to NYC to hear an interview with Ralph Rucci.  It was great fun.  Ralph spoke for about 1 1/2 hours and gave us all of the gossip about his business and its demise. I was impressed with his drive to become a fashion icon and he certainly is the most talents, under valued designer we have in the USA.

18- W- NYC/NJ/PA--  When I got up and going, I found that Jim had waited around fro me so we had breakfast and I got to see a slide show of his trip to Japan.  I left NY and went to one of my favorite stores, Campmor, in NJ.  I then found a brewery, Gentle Giant Brewery in what I thought was in NJ and on my way home.  But I was back in NY for this short stop.  I got home just in time to get ready to go to dinner with some Springfield friends.

19- TH- PA-  I was supposed to take someone for his cancer treatment today but he called and cancelled so now I have the whole day to myself.  The jewel service in at my apartment today so I am getting my diamond earrings fixed. Then I spent the rest of the afternoon in the business center, catching up on delinquent emails, obligations and tasks.  I was not as successful as I should have been.

20- F- PA- It was a beautiful, beautiful day so I went to a matinee movie: The Goldfinch. I haven't read the book but those who have, loved it.  I think I might have to read the book now.

21- SA- PA- It's another beautiful day.  These are the days that can cure depression.  I took five pieces of art to be framed last week and they are ready to be picked up.  They all looked great.  Now I have to find wall space for them.  I have 30 pieces hanging on my walls now.  On the way home, I stopped at the Aston Abbey Brewing  Company and I did not like their beers.

22- SU- PA- I went to the theatre with Sue Descano.  We went to see Young Frankenstein and it was so damn funny.  I loved it.  We had dinner with Tom afterwards and, as always, I enjoyed his company.

23- M- PA- I started out cleaning my apartment but I never finished as this task is of no interest to me. So I went to the movies with Phyliss to see Downton Abbey.  She loved it and I liked it.  She watched the entire 9 years of the TV series and I watched one show in 2010.  I guess that says a lot.

24- TU- PA- OMG, I was a lazy ass today.  I didn't sleep well and I was tired.  I came down to the lounge for a cup of coffee and Diane showed up.  She parked herself right next to me.  And then Debbie showed up and then Jon and then Phyliss and then Jeff.  And then three hours passed. And the afternoon was shot.  I ran a few errands, made a few phone calls and then came back to the lounge to catch up with the evening crew.

25- W- DC- OMG, today was a fucking waste of time.  I got up early and drove to DC to go to the Bangladesh Embassy.  I needed to get my visa for my November trip.  I coolant get it.  I got annoyed with the people at the embassy and I drove 5 hours for nothing.  On the way home, I stopped by the Union Brewing Company in Baltimore, MD.  I've wanted to go to this place for a number of years.  The beers were delicious and the food was great.  But then I had to rush to get home as I was meeting Tricia at PSU Great Valley campus for a lecture on an author who was related to a multi-millionaire.

26- TH- NJ- two years ago today, I met Elliot and today I am going to see this adorable, little boy. in NJ.  I can't wait. I love that little boy.  We played all afternoon and he has reached an age where he wants to have a relationship with me.  He is adorable.

27- F- NJ- Heather, Elliot and I went to his ballet class and it was hysterical.  While the other kids danced, he laid down on the mat and was having none of it while Heahter did her best to convince him in to participating.  Afterwards we went to brunch and then I headed to Hoboken to pick up one of my chinese students, Many, who just finished some work at the UN in NYC.  We drove off to the beach and stayed at the  Dunes by the Ocean hotel.  We had an early dinner at the Last Wave brewing Company. 

28- SA- NJ- It was a beautiful, windy day and Mandy and I spent six hours just sitting on the beach.  We each had a very comfortable chair and we flopped ourselves down and just sat there, doing nothing, saying nothing, just relaxing.  Occasionally we would check in with each other to see if there was anything we could do for the other.  But mostly, we just say and daydreamed and listened to the gulls.  Mandy went up to our hotel to get us some blankets as it was a little chilly.  So I just cocooned myself and rested.  It was a lovely day.

29- SU- NJ/PA- I had to drop Mandy off at the Newark Airport.  She is off to see friends in NC and in FL.  I got back on the highway and stopped at the Third State Brewery and then at the Broken Goblet Brewery.  Then I made the mistake at stopping at the Ollie's Discount Store and bought too many little, shit things.

30- M- PA- I had a lot of stupid errands and bills to pay.  I had work done on my car and then I was off to dinner with my high school friends.  Afterwards, I went to the airport to catch an early morning flight to Mississippi.