Sad About All Of It & The Little Red House

        Today, we had breakfast at Teddy's, an old hang out. Teddy's is in the center of the cute little historic town of Cranbury, NJ.  Even though we are only occasional patrons now,  George, the owner, remembered that our son was ill and he asked how Joe was doing.  When we told him that Joe had passed away,  he was visibly upset for us and genuinely compassionate   He recommended the book  "Final Gifts."   It is a book in which two hospice nurses, Maggie Callanan and Patricia Kelley share their intimate experiences with patients at the end of life.  He said it helped him a great deal after his father, Teddy, passed away.  I knew that Teddy had been ill, but I didn't know that he had passed away.  I felt so sad.

     Since Joe passed away, I have been feeling more lonely for my kids and grandkids.  Each of the kids live about an hour to an hour and half away from us. Ross and I have been tossing around the idea of renting a little apartment in the general area where my kids and grandkids live. We thought we could use it as a little get-a-way.  Sort of our cabin in the woods.  We searched online and  found an adorable little place in Cranbury within walking distance of Teddy's. 

     We walked into the realtor's office in town and ask the agent about the little red house.  She asked us why were considering renting in the area.  We told her that it was probably an emotional response because of the loss of our son.  This lovely woman, who we just met, cried.  I felt so sad.
     The house was as adorable inside as it was on the outside.  It had a cute little back yard.  I could see Ross and I there, walking around town.  But after we left the realtor's office,  I received an e-mail from the agent telling me that the owner would not rent to us because we have our little dog Rico.  No pets allowed. I felt so sad.
     As we were riding around today, I saw a deceased possum on the side of the road.  I guess some would refer to it as "road kill".  It's not a rare sight and normally I wouldn't have given it a second thought. This was a little guy.  His front paws were tucked under his chin and his hind legs were curled up in a fetal position.  He looked like he was asleep.  I felt so sad.
      I cried a lot today. Was it because I miss my son more than ever?  Was it because I am lonely for my family?   Was it because Teddy is no longer sitting in his regular spot, on the first bar stool at the counter?  Was it because we won't be sitting in the front room of our little red house looking out at Cranbury?  Was it because of the little possum?
     It's all of it and none of it.  I am just so sad.

I have created a page for Anna's Diary.  It can be found under the Tab titled Anna's Diary.

I have posted all of the entries to date there, starting with January 1, 1929.

Here is today's entry from Anna's diary:
Mon. March 18 1929
Home in morning.  Elsie over for a while. Talked about sad tragedy of yesterday.  Plane at Newark Airport  came down and killed thirteen.  Mrs. B. phoned me to go to Kresges' for card party. I won prize.
 
To read more about this plane crash click here.

Fishing Swans, Fishing Men, and a St. Patricks Day Wedding

A Week of Meandering Around With The Camera

Clam Fishing With A Rake

Another Clammer

Sail Me Away

Waiting For The Pool To Open

Every time we pass this house I see these birds bathing on the pool cover.  This time I made Ross stop.
He said, "Go ahead get out and take the picture. They won't fly away."  Uh huh.

Bird Peeking 

Is that a frog in his mouth?

This is what happens when Ross blows the horn so that Lynda can get a cool pic.

Blind Duck Blind

The Town Walking Trail

    The trail is built along the abandoned Barnegat Branch Division of the Central Railroad of New Jersey.
It is the ninth longest trail in the state.  When completed, it will occupy 15.6 miles and extends from Barnegat Township to Toms River.

A Bench On The Town Walking Trail

Aww Holding Hands On The Town Walking Trail

A Bench And A Bike Rack On The Town Walking Trail

Knotty Tree On The Town Walking Trail

Notice The Tiny Fishermen In The Background

Fishing Men

Fishing Swans

Reeds In The Mist

It was bright and sunny in our neighborhood today when we went out for a ride.  Off in the distance we noticed what we thought were clouds of smoke.   Hoping for a photo op we followed the "cloud".  As we got closer to the bay, we realized that the "could of smoke" was actually mist coming off of the water.    

Lynda's Spy Cam(era) Captures "The Wearing of The Green"
March 17, 2012

Happy St. Patrick's Day

I have created a page for Anna's Diary.  It can be found under the Tab titled Anna's Diary.

I have posted all of the entries to date there, starting with January 1, 1929.

Here is today's entry from Anna's Diary:

Sun. March 17 1929

Attended Mass at "Lady of Good Counsel". Got a flat tire.  Bought two new ones.  Dinner at Mrs. Naps.  We rode to Livingston to see Toni's house for sale.  Stopped at 360.  home. Bill with baby at night. 

[Bill is Anna's brother].

Giggling and Snuggling at 3:00 A.M.

     One of my favorite people in the whole world is also one of the best moms I know.  I wish I had known her when I was a young mother.  She would have been an inspiring example for me to follow.
     She relayed the following incident to me yesterday which exemplifies the type of mom she is.
      Her youngest came sleepily down the stairs at 3:00 a.m.  He went into his parent's room holding a crumpled Spiderman bandaid in his little fist.
     "Mommy, Mommy," he whispered.
      His mom groggily said,  "Hi, honey.  What's the matter?"
     (Now that alone shows me that this woman was meant to mother.   I don't know if I would be so pleasant at 3:00 in the morning.)
      So, the little guy said, "Mommy, my boo-boo is all better.  I don't need my bandaid anymore."
      "That's good, honey," she said.  "Let's just put it on the table over here.  We'll throw it away in the morning."
      The little guy said,  "Okay, but Mommy, can I snuggle with you?"
     "Sure, honey, climb in."
     (Again I don't know if that would have been my response.  I probably would have told him that he needed to get back into his own bed.)
     After the little guy started to get sleepy, his mom said, "Come on, honey, lets get you back to bed."
     As she carried him up the stairs, the little guy said, "Mommy I had an imagiation last morning."
     "What was your imagiation about honey?" Asked his mom.
     The little guy began to tell his mom about his dream (or in his words "imagiation").
     But whenever he would try to tell her about the big fat white cat that he dreamt about, he would start giggling, barely able to get past the words big and fat.
     His giggling was infectious and his mom began to laugh with him every time he would start to tell her about the "big fat..."
     She laughed so hard, her eyes began to water.
     This is why I love this mom.  She does something that I am not sure I always did.  She simply enjoys her kids.   She takes delight in the way they may mispronounce words.  She plays "let's pretend to be a pirate and cross the shaky bridge to find the gold" over and over again.   She is touched when her little girl says, "Mommy, thank you for taking me to the beach today."
And says, "She is such a sweet little girl."
     May I just add that this mom is married to one of my other favorite people and also one of the best dads I know. 
     This special couple is struggling with a difficult decision.  Not a life or death decision, but none the less, one which may have an effect on her future career plans.  
     I wish I could make it easier on her.  I have confidence that she will make the choice that is the best solution for her and her family.    

I have created a page for Anna's Diary.  It can be found under the Tab titled Anna's Diary.

I have posted all of the entries to date there, starting with January 1, 1929.

Here is today's entry from Anna:
Sat. March 16 1929
Home until five.  Edythe called - went to Hoboken in her car to get tickets for show.  Dinner there.  Rode in rumble seat.  Went to St. Pat's card party at Peg's about 9.  Baby at 360 over night.  Home with Jean & the Segraves.