Been There, Done That- Last updated in June 2024

 

Been There, Done That

If I should die tomorrow, that will be ok with me because I have loved more and been loved more than I deserve.  I have seen more and experienced more than anyone deserves.  I have had a career that was fulfilling and enriched me. I am grateful for all of the privileges I have had that so many people in this world deserve but don't have.  Here are just some of the events, opportunities  and memories that have shaped me:

•   10,000 Waves Spa- NM

•   9-11 Memorial- NYC-2011
   

2nd District Brewery- PHL
•   Adjunct Professor- St. Joseph’s University- PA
African American Museum- DC- 2018
American War Museum- Viet Nam- 2005
•   African Safari-2000, 2016, 2024
•   Alabama-1997
•   Alamo- TX- 2010
•   Algonquin Provincial Park- Canada-2007
•   Alice Springs- Australia-2015
•   Amazon River- Peru
•   American Visionary Arts Museum
•   Amish sites- PA- 1968
Amsterdamn- 1979
•   Amusement Arcade Hostess- summer of 1973
•   Ankor Wat- Cambodia- 2005
•   Antarctica- 2007
Atlanta, GE- 2019
Antelope Canyon, AZ- 2018
Antigue- 2023
•   Arches National Park- UT- 2008
•   Argentina- 2007
Arkansas- 2022
•   Arlington National Cemetery- VA
•   Artic Circle-2007
Arctic Tundra- Churchill- 2018
•   Aruba
•   Assateague Island- MD/VA
•   Assistant High School Principal- Stroudsburg HS
•   Atlantic Ocean
•   Auckland Harbor- New Zealand- 2015
•   Austin, TX- 2010
•   Avenue Q- NYC- 2011
•   Bahamas-1993
•   Baltic Sea
   Baltimore Cemetery- MD
•   Baltimore Harbor
•   Baltimore, MD
•   Baptisms
•   Barak Obama- April 2015
Barbados- 2022
•   Barnes Foundation- original site-PHL
Bangladesh
•   Bassin Blue Waterfalls- Haiti 2013
•   Bath Houses- South Korea- 2008
•   Bath, England- 1982
•   Beach Haven, NJ
•   Beale Street- Memphis, TN- 1997
•   Belgium- 1979
Bengali Tiger- Chitwan National Park- Nepal- 2017
Berkley Springs Natural Springs Park- WV- 2018
•   Bermuda- 2010
•   Betsy Ross’ House- 1965
•   Bette Midler concerts- 2016
Bhutan- 2017
•   Big Brother/Big Sister Program
•   Billy Joel and Elton John @ Giant Stadium- NJ
•   Biltmore- SC
•   Bird Watching in Bermuda- 2009
•   Blarney Castle- Ireland- 2000
•   Blarney Stone- 2000

            Blue Ball Monkeys- Tanzania- 2016
•   Blue footed Booby Birds- Galapagos Islands-2002
•   Blue Heron Drive- PEI, Canada
•   Blue Lagoon- Iceland

            Blue Nile Lake- Ethiopia- 2026
•   Blue Ridge Mountains
•   Boathouse Row- PHL
   Bobby McFerrin Circle Song event- 2018
•   Bodyworks Exhibit- 2006
•   Bonnie Rait concerts
•   Botswana- 2001
•   Boulder, CO
•   Bourbon Street- New Orleans
•   Boxer Day Sales at Harrad’s in London- 1987
•   Brandywine River Museum- PA
•   Branson, Missouri Concerts- 1998
•   Brazil- 1994
•   British Museum
•   British Theatre- London
•   British Virgin Islands
•   Brooklyn Bridge- 2011
   Brown v Board of Education Museum- Topeka, KS- 2020
•   Buddha's Tooth- Candy, Sri Lanka
•   Buddhist Monastery weekend visit- South Korea-2008
•   Buddhist Temples- Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea
•   Cambodia- 2005
•   Camel Ride- Mongolia, Morocco
•   Camino de Santiago du St. James- Spain- 2012
•   Candy Striper- Lankenau Hospital- 1970-73
•   Cape Hatteras National Park- NC
•   Cape May, NJ
•   Cape Town, South Africa- right before the 1994 election
•   Capital Hill- DC 2015
•   Caribbean Sea

            Caribbean cruise with Lauren- 2020
•   Carmel- CA- 2000
•   Carmen, the opera- NYC-1998
•   Carnegie Hall- NYC
   Carter's Presidential Library- Atlanta, GA- 2017
•   CASA volunteer- MD
•   Casinos- Atlantic City and Nevada
•   Central Park- NYC
•   Centralia- the burning town- PA-2009
•   Chautauqua Institute- NY
•   Chesapeake Bay
•   Chicago, Illinois- 1996, 2006
Chimney Rock National Monument- Co- 2018
•   Chinatown- NY, PHL, SF
•   Chincoteague- VA
•   Chinese Acrobats- China- 1994
•   Chinese New Year Celebration
•   Chinese Opera- 1994
Chitwan National Park- Nepal- 2017
•   Christmas Bird Counts- PA, CA, MD, Bermuda
•   Christmas Concerts at the Overbrook School for the Blind- PHL
Churchill, Canada- 2018
•   Cinque Terra- Italy- 1990
•   Cirque du Soleil- PHL, Las Vegas- 2015- 
Civil Rights Museum- Jackson, Mississippi- 2018
•   Civil Rights Museum- TN- 1997

            Civil Rights Museum- The Woolworths Counter- Greensboro, NC- 2025
•   Clarion Mural Alley Project- CA- 2015
•   Cliffs of Maur- Ireland- 2000, 2023
•   Cloud Forest- Ecuador
•   Coal Mining Museum- Scranton, PA- 2004
•   Coliseum- Rome- 1973
•   Colorado
Come From Away, the play- Philly- 2025
•   Connecticut
•   Costa Rico- 1998
•   Crazy Horse Memorial- SD- 2012
•   Cremation in Kathmandu- Nepal- 1999, 2017
•   Crooked Street- SF- 1983
Cross-country train ride: Baltimore, MD to San Jose, CA- 2017
   Cryo Treatment- -120F in vapor nitrogen
•   Czech Republic- 2007
•   Dachau Concentration Camps- 1978, 2013
•   David by Michelangelo- 1973
•   David Letterman show- 1993
•   David- Rome, Italy- 1973
Day of the Dead Celebration- Mexico- 2025
Death of my father- PA- 2005
•   Death of my mother- PA- 1998
•   Delaware Water Gap Jazz Festival
•   Delicate Arch- UT
Democratic National Convention- 2016
•   Denali National Park- AL- 2007
•   Denmark- 2013
•   Dogfish Brewery- DE- 2012
   Dogsledding- Wyoming -2005; Alaska- 2017
   Dolly Parton Stampede Dinner Theatre- Gatlinburg, TN- 2018
•   Dream Girls- Broadway- NYC
•   DuClaw Brewery- MD
•   Eagle Scout Ceremonies- Boy Scouts of America
   Edison's Winter Residence- Fort Myers, FL-2019
•   Egrets- LBI, NJ
•   Eiffel Tower- 1978
•   Eleanor Roosevelt’s Home- NY
•   Elephant Ride- Thailand, India
•   Empire State Building- 1964
•   Endless Summer- the movie- 1964
   English Channel- 2018

            Ethiopia- 2026
•   Everglade national Park-2010
   Evil Genius Brewery- Philadelphia
   Evita- the musical- 2018
•   Falling Waters- Frank Lloyd Wright- PA
•   Fiji- 2015
•   Finger Lakes- NY
•   Fireworks
•   Fireworks- DC, Penn State, Greece, Philly
•   Floating Markets- Viet Nam- 2005
•   Forbidden City- China- 2012
•   Fourth of July Parades
•   France
•   Frankfurt- Germany
•   Freedom Trail- MA- 2000
•   French Quarters- New Orleans
•   Galapagos Islands- Ecuador- 2002
•   Georgia O’Keefe Museum- NM
•   Germany- 1978
•   Gettysburg
•   Girl Scout- 1964
•   Glacier National Park- AL
•   Glass Blowers- WV
   Glenn Canyon, AZ- 2018
•   Gobi Desert- 2006
•   Golden Buddha- Thailand- 1992
•   Golden Gate Bridge
•   Gondola Ride- Venice, Italy- 1973
•   Good Morning America TV show- 2013
•   Graceland- Memphis, TN- 1997
  Grand Canyon- 2018
•   Grand Central Station- NYC
•   Grand Old Opry House- 1997
•   Grand Tetons National Park- UT- 2005
•   Grateful Dead's New Years Eve Show in SF
•   Great Barrier Reef- 2015
•   Great Bear Reef- Canada
•   Great Blue Herons- east coast USA
   Great Sand Dunes National Park- CO- 2017
•   Great Wall of China-2012
•   Greece-2009
•   Greenbrier Hotel- WV- 1973

            Greenland- 2023
•   Greenwich Village- NYC
•   Guatemala- 2011
•   Guidance Counselor- 1981 to 1985
•   Guinness Brewery- Ireland-   2023

            Gum Wall- Seattle- 2017
•   Halloween Parade- NYC-2011
•   Hamburg-Germany- 2013
•   Harvard Square- MA- 1997
   Hawaii- 2024
•   Hemingway’s Home- Key West- 1977, 2013
•   Henley Regatta- London- 1982
•   Hermitage Museum- Russia- 2013
•   High School Principal- Stroudsburg & Springfield- SHS
•   High Tea- London, Hong Kong
•   Hill Tribes- Thailand- 1992
•   Hindu Temples- India, Sri Lanka, Maryland, New Jersey
•   Hofbrau House- Germany-1978
  Hollywood Bowl- Joni Mitchell concert- 2025
•   Holocaust Museum- DC-1993
•   Honduras-2011
•   Hoover Dam- NV- 2014
•   Horseback Riding- Mongolia-2006
   Horseshoe Bend- AZ- 2018
•   Hot Air Balloon ride- CO-2005
•   Hot Springs State Park- WY
•   Hotel Hershey- PA
   Iowa- 2018
   Ice fishing in Alaska- 2017
   Idaho- 2016
   Illinois- 1995, 2006
   India- 1994, 2004, 2015
•   Indian Ocean- 1994, 2016
•   Inside Passage- BC, Canada
   
•   Ireland- 2000, 2023,2024
•   Irish Pubs- Dublin, Cork, Tipperary, Bettystown
  Israel- 2019
•   Italian Market- PHL
•   Italy- 1973, 1990, 2002
•   Jackson Hole, WY- 2005
•   Jade Buddha- Thailand- 1992
Jake's Bar- A West Chester Historical Bar- 2022
•   Jamaica- 2015
  Jameson's wedding to Rebecca- July 5, 2025
•   Japan- 1994
   Jersey (UK)- 2018
   Jersey Zoo (UK)
   Jimmy Carter and Roslyn Carter- 2017
•   Joan Armatrading concert
•   Jon Stewart Show- 2014
•   Joni Mitchell concerts
   Jordan- 2019
•   Kansas
•   Kathmandu-1999, 2017
•   Kennebunk- ME
  Kennett Square Underground Railroad Tour- 2025
  Kentucky- 2018
•   Kenya-1994
Kevin and Emily's wedding- NY- Sept 2017
•   Killing Fields- Cambodia-2005
   Kinky Boots- Broadway Play- NYC-2017
•   L. L. Bean- ME- 2007
•   Lake George- NY- 1991
•   Lake Ontario- Canada
•   Las Vegas Strip- 2014, 2015, 2023
•   Latvia- 2013
•   Le Bec Fin Restaurant- PHL- 2005
•   Les Miserable- NYC, PHL, London
Lewes Beach- DE
•   Liberty Bell- PA
•   Lincoln Center- NYC
•   Lincoln Memorial
   Lincoln's Birthplace- Kentucky- 2018
•   Lion King- London- 2005
•   Little Italy- NYC
•   Little League Baseball- Williamsport, PA
•   Little Rock, Arkansas-2010
•   Little St. Simon, GA- 2008
•   Lobster Rolls- New England
•   Long Beach Island- NJ
•   Long Man’s Cave- China-2012
•   Long Trail brewery- VT
•   Longwood Gardens- PA
•   Louvre- Paris, France- 1978
•   Luray Caverns- VA0 2010
•   Main Point- musical venue in Bryn Mawr, PA
•   Maine
•   Malaysia- 1994
•   Maldives Islands
•   Mansions of Rhode Island- 1973
•   Mardi Gras- New Orleans- 1977
•   Marrakesh Markets- Morocco- 2008
•   McGillen’s- oldest bar in Philadelphia
•   Mekong River-2005
•   Melrose Diner- NJ
•   Memphis, TN- 1997
•   Mermaid- Copenhagen- 2013
Michigan- 2021
•   Millennium Park- IL-2006
•   Miners’ Festival- Durham, England
   Minnesota- 2018
•   Moab National Park- UT
•   MoMA- NYC
•   Mona Lisa- Paris- 1978
•   Mongolia- 2006
   Montana- 2016
•   Monticello- VA- 1996
•   Montreal, Canada- 1967
•   Mormon Church- Utah- 2007; Philadelphia- 2016
   Motown, the Musical- 2018- DE
•   Mount Rushmore- SD- 2012
•   Mud Baths- CA- 2017
•   Mummers' Parade- PHL
•   Munich- 2012, 2016
•   Musikfest- Bethlehem, PA
•   Nadaam Festival- Mongolia- 2006
•   Namibia- 2000
•   Nashville, TN
•   Natural Bridge- VA
•   Nebraska- 2009
•   New Hampshire
•   New Jersey
•   New Mexico
•   New York
•   New York Public Library- NYC
•   Newport, RI- 1973
•   Niagara Falls- NY/Canada
•   Nicaragua- 2011
•   Nile River- Egypt- 2010
No Kings rally- West Chester, PA- June 2025
No Kings Rally- West Chester, PA- October 2025
•   North Carolina
•   North Sea- 1982
•   Norway- 2013
•   Nova Scotia, Canada- 2012

            Ohio
•   Oklahoma City- Oklahoma- 2010
Oktoberfest- Munich, Germany- 2016
•   Olympia National Park
•   Oregon Coast- OR
•   Oregon Trail- SD
•   Outer Banks- NC- 2007
•   PA Dutch Country- PA
•   Pacific Coast- CA
•   Pacific Ocean
   Pagosa Springs- CO- 2018
   Painted Desert, AZ- 2018
Polar Bears- Churchill, Canada- 2018
Polar Bears- Greenland, 2023
   Palestine Territory- 2019
•   Panama Canal Passage- 2011
•   Parade of Roses- CA- 1995
•   Paris, France- 1978, 1997
•   Paul Revere Freedom Walk- Boston
•   Pearl Market- Beijing, China
•   Penn State Football
•   Peru
   Petra- 2019
   Petrified National Park, AZ- 2018
   Pike's Market- Seattle- 2007; 2017
•   Phantom of the Opera- NYC
•   Philadelphia Flower Show- PA
•   Philly Food- cheese steaks, pretzels, Tastecakes
•   Pietà- Italy- 1973
•   Pike's Peak- CO- 1994
•   Pileated Woodpeckers
•   Pisa- Italy- 1973
•   Pocono Wildlife Rehab Center- PA
•   Poland- 2007
•   Pope John Paul II Visit to Philadelphia- 1980
   Pope Francis Visit to Philadelphia- 2015
•   Portland, OR- 2004, 2016
•   Portugal-1998
•   Potala- Tibet- 2000
•   Preservation Jazz Hall- LA- 1977
•   Princess Diane's Memorial Service- NYC-1997
•   PSU Alumni Board- 1992 to 1995
   Puerto Rico- 2016
   Puffins- Maine/canada- 2024
•   Pyramids- Egypt-2010
  Quentin and Brielle's wedding- NY- 2023
  Quebec, Canada- 2015
•   Racetrack- DE- 1974
•   Radio City Musical Hall- 1965, 1995
•   Rain Forests- Thailand, Ecuador, Australia, Peru
•   Ralph Rucci’s show during Fashion Week- NYC
   Red Rocks Amphitheater- CO
•   Redwood Forest- CA
•   Relay for Life events- PA- 2008, 2009, 2010
•   RENT, the musical- DE
•   Resting Buddha- Thailand- 1992
•   Rheine River- Germany- 1979
•   River Dance- NYC- 1995
•   Rocky Mountain National Park- CO
•   Rodin Museum- PHL
  Rolling Stones Concert- Philly- 2024
•   Rose Bowl- CA- Penn State-1995
•   Route 66 Highway- 2021
  Rowanda- 2024
•   Runaways- NYC- 1978
   Running of the Reindeer- Anchorage, Alaska- 2017
•   Russia- 2013
•   Russian Bath House- PA- 2015, 2025
   Safari- Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Botswana, Nimibia,    Zimbabwe, Rwanda,  Sahara Desert- Morocco-2013
•   Salt Lake City, UT
•   Sam Adams brewery- Boston- 2011
•   San Deiago Zoo
•   San Juan Islands- WA- 2004
•   San Juan Islands, Belize- 200?
San Juan Mountain Range- C0- 2018
San Juan, Costa Rico- 1998, 2011
•   Santa Fe Art Galleries- NM
•   Santé Fe- New Mexico
•   Saratoga Springs- NY
•   Scotland- 1982

Sedona, AZ- 2018
•   Seine River tour- Paris
   Serengeti- Tanzania- 2016
•   SF Street Cars
•   Shenandoah National Park- VA
  Sierra Nevada Brewery Company- CA- 2017
  Silverback Gorillas- Rwanda- Sept 2024
•   Simon & Garfunkel in Central Park- NYC
•   Smokin’ Joe’s Bar- Key West, FL- 1976
•   Snorkeling- Caribbean, Great Barrier Reef
Solar Eclipse- NY- 2024
•   South Africa- 1994. 2000
•   South Bend, IN- 1974
•   South Carolina
•   South Dakota- 2013
•   South Korea- 2008
•   South of the Border tourist trap
•   Spain-1998. 1999
•   Spanish Steps- Rome, Italy
•   Sri Lanka
•   St Patrick Day Parades- Chicago & NYC
•   St Simon Island- Georgia-2008
•   St. James Bay- Canada-2007
•   State Championship High School Games- PA
•   Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island- NYC
•   Steamboat Springs- CO-2005
•   Stewart’s Brewery- DE- 2010
•   Stonehenge- England
•   Sunrise Beach services-NJ
•   Sunsets over the Bay for 30 years- NJ
•   Sweden- 2013
Switzerland- 2024
•   Sydney Opera House-2015
•   Taj Maha- India
  Tajikistan- 2025
  Tanzania- 2016
•   Tanglewood- MA
   Taping of the radio show Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me!
•   Tate Gallery- London
•   Tavern on the Green- NYC
•   Telluride Bluegrass Festival- CO
•   Terra Cotta Warriors- China
   Tennessee- 1997, 2010, 2018
•   Texas
•   Thames River Tour- London- 1982
•   Thousand Islands- NY
•   Tienanmen Square- China-2012

•   Time Square- New Year's Eve- 1978
•   Time Square- NYC   
•   Top of the Rock- Rockefeller Bldg.- NYC
•   Touchtone Art Institute- western PA
Tower of Pisa- Italy-1973
   
•   Trinity College- Dublin, Ireland-2000
•   Trouble with Angels- the movie- 1967
•   Turks and Cacaos
•   UFO Museum- NM-2010
•   Uluru Rock- Ayers Rock-2015
•   US Capitol- DC
  Utah
•   Van Morrison Concert- CA-1996, 2018
•   VASAR-Sweden-2013
•   Vatican City- Italy-1973, 1990, 2000
•   Venezuela-1994
•   Venice Beach- CA- 1995
Ventor, NJ- 2025
•   Vermont
•   Victoria Falls- Zimbabwe-2000
•   Victory Brewery- PA-2010
•   Viet Nam War Memorial- DC
•   Virginia
•   Voodoo Ceremony- Haiti-2013
•   Waiting for Godot- NYC- 2013
•   Waldorf Hotel- NYC-1964
Wales (UK)- 2018
•   Wanamaker’s Organ- PHL
•   Washington Monument- DC
•   Waterford Crystal Factory- Ireland-2000
•   West Virginia- 1964
•   Williamsburg- VA
•   Wilmington, DE
•   Wimbledon- 1982-London
•   Windjammer Sailing- ME
   Wisconsin- 2018
   Women's Investment Club member

   Women's March- 2017- DC
   Women's March- 2018- West Chester, PA
    Women's March- 2019- Philadelphia, PA
•   Womenship- MD- 1998
  Woolworth's Civil Rights Museum- Greensboro, NC- 2025
•   World Fair- Montreal- 1968
•   World Fair- NYC- 1963
  Wyoming- 2005, 2016
•   Year of the Dragon Celebrations- 2012- China
•   Yellowstone National Park- WY-2005
•   Yuengling Brewery- PA-2003
  Usbekastan- 2025
•   Zimbabwe-2000
Zurich, Switzerland- 2024

He Might Have Bitten Me

He Might Have Bitten Me

Saraha Desert, Morocco

July 8, 2008

I slept this night on a dirty blanket, under the stars. The view was magnificent. The air was warm and the silence was deafening. Throughout the night, I was awaken by the sensation of something bitting my feet. This bug may have been the culprit. But I will never know.

March 2025

 MARCH 2025

The Month of Rebirth

The Big Road trip

PA/DE/MD/DC/VA/NC/SC/GA/FL

1-SA- PA

OMG, it is cold again and so damn windy and this weather change makes me miserable.  And my left side is hurting so I guess I have to go for another stretch session.

Trump had a meeting with Zelensky and he became antagonistic and then Vance chimed in and then the meeting was cut short and Zelensky was no longer invited to lunch and the whole world gasped in disbelief.  What a shameful day for America.

Topic: Trump turns on Zelenskyy

Aid held hostage tight,

honor traded for deceit,

courage shamed by greed.

And AI gave me a second haiku which I took as a sign of just how bad the serious this situation is.

Power plays in vain,

Mocking those who fight for peace

Honor fades in greed.

Twitter: #IStandWithUkraine

Twitter: I am embarrassed to be an American. #IStandWithUkraine #IStandWithZelenskyy

#TrumpisaNationalDisgrace #TrumpIsARussianAsset

2-SU- PA

I texted William last night to see if he wanted to go drinking with me this afternoon and he said yes. And so off we went.  We started at the new place that is also an arcade but I didn't like the vibe there so we went off to the Bier Haul on Wallace street.  The we moved on to Sedona for a few beers and then we went to Jitters and had a beer and then I went home and took a nap and called it a day.

Topic: Trump turns his allegiance to our allies:

World leaders unite

Condemnation echoes loud

Trump stands isolated

3- M- PA/DE/MD/DC/VA/NC

I started my journey to Florida.  My wedding obligations start on Friday so I wanted to get there in plenty of time. I'm hoping to get to FL by Wednesday so that I can leisurely travel this next few days.

I finished my book, Ghosts of the Tsunami.

By mid-evening, I made it to NC so I called it a day and found a place to stay. My hotel room was $55. That was a fair price for this accommodation.

My Haiku Topic: Trump's loyalty to Putin

Global leaders scorn

Trump's embrace of Russian aims

Allies stand opposed

4- TU- NV/SC/GA

I started my book,  The  Dutch House.    I was three hours in to the book and it stopped playing.  It appears as if I had not completed downloaded the book before I left internet access this morning. That was annoying as hell.

I picked up my road trip from NC and finished the day in GA near Brunswick, Silver Bluff Brewing (1). I was tired.  I went to a brewery to end the day.

My hotel was $79. It wasn't $24 nicer than the hotel last night.

5- W- GA/FL

OMG, I am tired of driving.  It seems as if I am making no progress.  When I mapped out Florida in my GPA, it said it would take me 14 hours to get there. I have another 4 hours of driving today. Fortunately, I am caught up in my book so my time doesn't seem to be a complete waste.

I found a hotel around 3:30 and just booked it for two nights.  I took a nap and rested and then headed out to a brewery, Hiatus Brewing (2).  I liked my beers.

6- TH- FL

I am in Citrus County and had plans to go snorkeling at the Devil's Cave but I am afraid to go.  When I stopped at the Welcome Center on I95, the attendant warned me that this place is very deep, cold and a potential drowning spot.  She said I would need a pool noodle to use to mark my spot in the event I had to be rescued.  I cant decide if the cold water or the drowning hazard was the bigger deterrent.

I found a brewery nearby, Copps Brewery (#3) and had a flight and lunch. I didn't like the place. 

Topic: the orange idiot's stupid tariff war:

Tariffs weigh like stone,

Farmers' fields left dry and bare,

Hopes drift with the trade.

7- F- FL

At long last, I made it to St Petersburg and headed right to the Dali Museum which was great.  It's a small museum and I only needed an hour there which was all I needed today.

double hotel reservation

In the evening, Jane arranged a Pre wedding dinner for those of us who are from out of town.  It was a nice introduction to tomorrow's event.

8- SA- FL

It's International Day of the Woman. How maddening that we have to celebrate this day.  We should have equality by now but we are so far off.

The wedding was today and the bride was beautiful and Jane was so happy and everyone was excited to be here and I am so glad I made the effort to attend.

Twitter: On this International Day of the Women, I resist the efforts the orange idiot is making to reduce our rights and our place in the world.

Twitter: FROM WEBSTER DICTIONARY- "woke: aware of and actively attentive to important societal facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice)." I hope the world see me as WOKE!!! #InternationalWomensDay

Haiku topic:  Trump's disregard for women

"Trump’s words cut like knives,

Disrespect in every breath,

Women rise above."

9- SU- FL

I got up and drove to Cape Coral to visit with Jaye, Dom, Leanne and her new boyfriend, Matt.  In the afternoon, Jaye, Dom and I hung in the pool.  Leanne showed up late afternoon and we had dinner and then they all went to bed by 9PM and I was left on my own.

10-M- FL

I got up and left Jaye and headed to the east coast to Juniper which is just above West Miami.  I was visit with Leslie, my high school classmate.

We spent the afternoon just talk and then I had a vomiting moment.  And because I had not yet brought my bag in from the car, I had to confess to Leslie that I was not well and had to go to my car and get new clothes because I had vomited all over the front of me.

I made a quick change and thought everything was OK but I vomited again.  I should have told her that I was not well enough to go to the country club for dinner but I didn't.  It was prime rib night and I love prime rib. So we went and we went up to the buffet and loaded up our plates and I came back to the table and had to get up almost immediately because I had to throw up again.  We came home and Leslie made me a cup of tea and I threw up again.  I must have had food poisoning.

Regardless of what I had, I was embarrassed.  And it was Prime Rib Night. Damn.

11-TU- FL/NC

Today was a full driving day. and in the evening, I found a dreadful hotel.  When I checked in, there was a sign that warned us that we had 10 minutes to decide if we want to stay here.  I should have left right away but I was too damn tired to drive any further tonight. It was just awful.  It smelled of urine.  There was no WIFI.  I couldn't plug in my CPAP machine because there was no outlet near the bed.  It was cold.  It was poorly maintained and I couldn't wait to get out of here.

I started a new book a new book, my fourth on this road trip: The Lost Apothecary. The plot of the book was intriguing.

12 TH- Georgia

In the afternoon, I made it to Pam and Doug's house.  It was great to see them, as always.

We walked over to the Wild Leap Brewery (4) . I had about 5 different beers and they were all delicious. And then we went home and just talked about the condition of the world and our country and our disappointment in this country.

13- F- GA/NC

As I was driving, I noticed a billboard that directed me to the infamous Civil Rights Museum where the original Woolworth's lunch counter demonstration started the civil rights movement.

After I checked in my hotel, I made my way to the Tobacco Wood Brewery (5).  It was a great, fun place for families but the beers didn't really interest me.

I started a new book, my fifth for this trip. It's a book about a plot to kill Kennedy right after he won the election in 1960.

14- NC, VA, DC, MD, DE, PA

It was  a long drive home.  I hit several rush hour delays.  I was in the car for over 7 hours straight at one stretch and I could barely get out of the car when i could finally stop at a rest stop.  I was exhausted when I finally got home at 8:30PM, just in time to finish my book.

15- SA- PA

OMG, I am exhausted.  I can barely function.  I went to the lounge and saw Joanna, Kevin and Kristen and they all agreed with me when I told they I was exhausted.  Kevin told me that I looked like shit.

Kristen talked me in to hanging at ironhill brewery for the afternoon.  I was so tired but I couldn't sleep.  I was so damn restless that I decided to go so that I could possible get out of this exhaustion funk. 

16- SU- PA

It's Sally's 71st bday tomorrow and 5 years since she got her new lungs. So a group of us went to Victory Brewery (6)  to celebrate the situation.  And it was fun.

17- M- PA

It's St Patrick's day, a day that used to be such a holiday for me. But now, it's a day to hide from the rest of the world.

And I was fine without going out to celebrate until mid afternoon and then I had a moment where I thought life was passing me by. So I went to Kiladres in hopes of hooking up the Kevin, Pete and Paulo.  Surprisingly, I found them in this crowded venue that had be violating every fire regulation on the books.

18- TU- PA

I slept with my balcony door open and my apartment was freezing throughout the night and early morning. I took forever to get up, not because I was tired but my body was recovering a bit form last night.

Twitter: The orange idiot condemned the "ridiculous" use of public money as he ended Secret Service protection for Biden's children. Yet Trump did the same in 2021 to cover Donald Jr, Ivanka, Eric and Tiffany, which reportedly cost tax payers $1.7 million.#TrumpIsaHypocrite

My haiku-  Trump golfs all day while the economy burns

Trump swings on the green,

Stocks fall, a crash in the breeze,

Money slips away

19- W- PA

I ordered new bedding last night and it arrived today and I’m so damn happy. I think I have found the key to happiness.

I listened to a short novel,  

The Widow's Husband's Secret Lie, 

by Freida McFadden today and I kept falling in and out of sleep so now I have to go back and listen to it again. 

20- TH- PA

It's the first day of spring.  Thank god this damn winter is finished.

In the afternoon, I drove to Berks County to go to the Manny Creek Brewery (7).  I had a 

Belgium quad, Belgium triple, coffee stout, and a Belgium wit.

When I got home, I noticed a line of cars lined up on the side of the road.  They were waiting to drive in to the parking lot of Rita's Water Ice.  It's free today because it's finally spring and lots of people were lined up to get their free $3 cup of water ice.

21- F- PA

It was so damn sunny and it was so damn windy and it was so damn unpleasant. I need consistent weather.

John texted me to tell me that a former student (Dan Geriot) was selected as the head coach at Iona University. John is loosely connected with this coaching team so he seems excited with the news.

In the evening, I had dinner with Sue. We went to the new noodle shop in town and I loved it.

22- SA- PA

Tricia hosted a dinner with the family. Sharon, Glenn, Jim, Joann, Bill, and Tricia were there.  It was nice together together but I had to leave early as I had previously committed to attend a

party at CS.

Andrea turned 50 this week so Jim threw her a big party. There were lots of people and plenty to drink and I found a big plastic cup and Jim kept that cup filled all night.  And then I waddled back to my apartment.

23- SU- PA

OMG, I have been sleeping so well lately and I am not even taking my gummies.  I think the damn CPAP is working but I didn't use it last night as I had been drinking all last night and didn't want to have to get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and possibly get tangled up in that machine tubes.

I had another damn reoccurring school dream.

I spent the afternoon trying to order my visa for Uzbekistan and it has been an unsuccessful, frustrating day.  I will have try tomorrow. My frustration level is through the roof.

The grandmother from India, who lives across the hall from me, stopped by my chair and talked to me which is unusual because we have both spent the last five years ignoring each other.  She is terribly lonely and wants to go back to India.  She came here right before covid to meet her granddaughter and through a variety of bad situations, she has been stuck here and her son has gotten divorced and needs her help in raising his daughter.  He plays on her guilt and she doesn't have the heart to go home. But she is miserable.

Kristen stopped by the lounge with dinner and it was fun to sit there and eat together.

I turned on AI and wrote an editorial about the potential damages of closing the US Department of Education.  I sent it to the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Let's see if they are interested.

Then Kim came to work and we spent a few hours talking in the lounge.

24- M- PA

Today would be Dad's 97th birthday. And it's 20 years since he's been gone. Where did that time go?

I had a day planned to take care of small tasks: 

• I have a Dr appointment to discuss my blood work tomorrow and my blood work hasn't come back.  That required a few calls and text message.
• I had to work on my Uzbekistan visa again and I found a passage on the national website that stated people over 55 don't need a visa.  I guess they don't see old people as a threat.
• I wanted to set up an automatic donation to my local firehouse and ambulance service.  I have tried to do this for about a year now and something always derails my efforts.
• I had planned to go to the bank to get a 3D security code for my visa but that was no longer necessary.
• I had plans to go to Rite Aid to get some visa photos but that became unnecessary.
• My appointment for tomorrow was cancelled so I attempted to reschedule but that didn't happen so I will try tomorrow.

Kevin came down and chatted me up.  He has had his 3rd treatment to date.  I found it difficult to respond because I wasn't sure I was supposed to know.  But Joanna must have told him that she told me about his cancer.

Steve came by and so did Keith and Rich.  I saw Gina and asked if we could talk.  I want to make a greater effort to connect with the Indian grandmother on our floor.  I am so surprised at how much she confided in me that she is so lonely here.  She wants to go back to India and be with her family.  I think a group of us could do a better job of including her in events around here.

Kevin joined me in the lounge and talked about his cancer treatments. I didn't know if I should act as if I was just learning this information or if Joanna told him that she told me last week.

Plans spill in the wind,

Trump unaware of the breach,

Defense blindsided.

25- TU- PA

I an an appointment to discuss my Prolia progress but that got canceled yesterday so that meant I didn't have to worry about the tight schedule I had with this appointment and my 4PM appointment with the plastic surgeon.

I went to my eye surgeon meeting and I don't like this doctor. His tailored suit is the same ugly plaid as my grade school Catholic uniform.He doesn't like questions. He is dismissive and told me not to worry about the price. I should worry about my health first. Fuck him.

26- W- PA

I had my second facial with my membership at Hand &mStone and really, these facials aren't that great. I am going to give it three more tries and if I am still indifferent, I am going to quit the membership.

I had to buy new luggage for my trip. I wonder how much luggage I have purchased over the years. This piece is bright yellow and can be seen from across the room.

I came home and listened to my audiobook, Yellowface, for 2 hours. I am stucked in to the plot of the book.Afterwards, Kristen and I grilled steaks on the courtyard grill and had dinner together.

27- TH- PA

I finally got the quote for my surgery. The procedure the doctor is recommending is $18,000+. Is he fucking kidding me. He wants to do a forehead life.

I finished my book, Yellow Face, and can't stop recommending it to people.

haiku topic: Trump is so disinterested in his job that he doesn't even know that soldiers are dying under his watch

Trump sits, unaware,

Soldiers fall in quiet dust,

His gaze elsewhere lies.

Twitter: Musk's America PAC launched a petition that offered $100 to people who signed it. He also announced that there will be a winner of $1M. The PAC petition collects voter information & uses it to push voter turnout in the crucial election. And why isn't this illegal? #ElectionFraud

28- F- PA

I had to usher for a comedy night performance at Uptown. There were three comedians and they were funny. I wish I had encourage my friends to attend.

29- SA- PA

I am getting ready for my Garden 2025. I spent the afternoon, throwing out old pots and plants and dirt and other junk I have on my balcony. I have so much more room now but it is still congested.

I got out in the afternoon and drove around and loved discovering the new blooming of flowered trees. I love this moment when the wolf d comes alive again.

30- SU- PA

I met up with Deb, Lisa, Mary and Robin to listen to Irish music at an Irish pub in Philly. It was a fun afternoon. The music was great and was more background music rather than being loud and in your face. So we were able to complain about the state of our country and our world.

Later in the evening, Brian texted us to announce that Jameson got engaged.

31- M- PA

I worked all afternoon on my damn taxes. Nothing pisses me off more than having to prepare my taxes and then paying a big, fat addition amount of taxes.

The pool was being spruced up for the upcoming season. In two months, it's pool season again.

I started the book, Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad. I have purchased this book at least three times. I have borrowed it from the library and now I am going to listen to it as an audiobook. It's only 4 hours so I should be able to finally get through it.