Welcome the weekend!

Been a different week for the end of May. From the eighties on Monday to the fifties on Tuesday and Wednesday and now back to the high seventies. Lots of rain and fog. Had 1.4 inches with the storms overnight and a quarter of an inch in this afternoon's storm. I did manage to get the grass cut yesterday morning. It's supposed to be a nice weekend.

Shell is in Chambersburg for the weekend teaching. Jack and I are staying in Hershey. NASCAR races at Dover this weekend and I didn't feel like fighting the traffic tonight. Coming home Sunday isn't bad. WE would always leave the beach house when the race started and buzz on by Dover with hardly any traffic.

Jack and I are either going to Hershey Park tonight or tomorrow morning. Will probably go over to the Children's Miracle Network festivities tomorrow during the day that kick off the telethon.

Jack's at his back yard buddies now playing. He'll soon be home. Matt has baseball practice.

Will probably go somewhere Sunday afternoon when Shell gets home; then evening Mass at 1730. She has to go into work to finish evaluations at 2000.

Had my 6 month dental checkup today. Go back the 11th of June to get a broken filling repaired.

Had a special Mass for our RCIA class on Wednesday evening and then we had dinner. Typically, we had enough food to feed twice as many people. It was a fun evening. Will miss seeing the people every week. Hard to believe nine months went by so fast. We were hoping to hear from The Tribunal before Wednesday evening,, but I guess we will just have to be patient. We were the only ones in the class that could not participate in the Eucharist. Everybody wants to know when we can and want to come and celebrate with us. It will be special with Jack also waiting to do so with us.

Last drum lesson for the summer on Monday after school. Five more days and Jack is out for the summer.

Until later.

Charley

sunday

Well, sitting by the pool soaking up the rays (from between the clouds). Water is in the sixties. Polar bears would love it. Went into Rehoboth last night. It's the fullest I've seen the boardwalk in the last couple of years. Of course the traffic Friday night was heavy. Between broken down vehicles (we saw 20+) and the accidents (5), I ended up not using rt 1 very much. Travelled some of the back road I Hadn't been on in over 40 years when they were the main roads. Some of the small towns still looked the same. Anyhow it only took us about 30 minutes longer than normal. Shell came down yesterday morning. Was in the low eighties and sunny yesterday. Caught some sun at the pool. Got the awnings up in the morning. Looks like the rain is staying to the south of us for today. Ate out last night, cooking in tonight. Did some house cleaning this morning and opened the house up to air it out. Well back to the rays.

Charley

To the beach!

Heading to the beach until Monday when Jack gets home from school. Shell has to do evaluations on some of her weekend night shift staff and will come down in the morning. Supposed to be sunny and in the high 70's. Pool opens tomorrow, so will probably catch some rays. Only thing I want to do is put up the awnings. Picked up the porch awning from Tulli's--cost $6.00. Last time I had the same seam sewn (tongue twister) in Delaware and it cost me $20. Looking to relax and have a fun weekend. Cooking out with Papa Joe and Corrine. Hope everybody has a good weekend and remember the troops past and present on Monday.

Charley

Sunday

Home from the beach house. Got the house power washed, the porch painted and the bathroom fan back in. Did not put any awnings up. Brought the porch awning home to get sewn, Will put them up next week. Left around 9 this AM to come back to Hershey, It started raining about 4 this morning and was pouring when we left. Rain finally stopped at the C&D canal. Took Jack to his friends birthday party at 1630 at Shank Park and picked him up at 1830. To the scout store tomorrow for awards for the last Pack mtg of the year on Tuesday. Drum lessons tomorrow night. 58 degrees today,. Where's the warm weather.

Charley

Friday

Cub Scout Committee meeting last night here at the house. Got our summer planning and Sept thru Dec firmed up for next year. We had a good year with lots of activities and good fundraising.
Jack and I are heading to the beach when he gets home from school. No lighthouse work party tomorrow. The Army Corps asked us not to go out to Harbor as the door is only tacked on and they don't want it falling. Hopefully next week they will get it welded.
So we will do some things on the beach house --- power wash, paint the porch (primered it last month) and put the awnings up. Need to get the awning above the door sewn. Will probably bring it back to Hershey and get it done. Been spray painting lawn furniture. Wanted to do mulch, but we had 1.3 inches of rain last night and it's too wet to spread. Well, off to a leisurely weekend at the beach.

Charley

New Door installed at Harbor of Refuge

The Army Corps of Engineers was out working on the door at Harbor of Refuge. They have it tacked in place, but had problems welding the stainless steel to the cast iron. They are working on a solution.

Wednesday it is! Typical last few days. Did the yard yesterday. Still have mulch to spread. Jack had his drum lessons on Monday. Two more until fall. Cub scouts last night. They shot the rockets they built last week. Jack's ended up on the school's roof on his second shot.

Jack's home from school. I think a chest cold plus probably some allergies to boot. The pollen and mold counts are off the map. I've been sneezing my fool head off even with the Zyrtec, Oh well, Delaware on Friday, Hopefully lighthouse on Saturday. RCIA tonight. I guess I will stay home with Jack. One more class next week. Yea! Then the 27th mass and a banquet, Won't know how to act -- No drum lessons, gymnastics, cub scouts or RCIA. Will have Mon, Tues and Wed evenings free for the summer. Of course, it would be hard to attend if Jack and I are at the beach.

Charley

Sunday

Well, the Philly trip was a blast. Left Middletown at 0730 and arrived at 30th st station at 0918. Walked across the street and took the subway to Fifth St. We checked in at the Visitor's Center and got our tickets for the Independence Hall tour. After going through security we did that tour and when finished we had lunch at the Visitor's Center Food Court ( the kids were hungry). Then the Liberty Bell and off to visit some of the other smaller museums. Took the subway back to 30th st around 1700 and ate supper there at the food court. On the train and headed back to Middletown at 1855 and arrived at 2030. The adults were dozing on the return train trip; the kids were still going a mile a minute. Jack crashed in the car on the way home. We followed suit shortly there after. Just a leisurely Mother's Day at home. We were going to pack a lunch and do one of the parks, but had Nicole and Isaac here for a late lunch. Planned on church at 1730 but Jack was with Matthew V and Shell was asleep when I got back from Taking Nicole and Isaac home. I started reading and we woke to the phone ringing at 1800. Jack's eating at Matthew V's house and I'm still full from lunch. Back to the routine tomorrow.

Charley

Fri the eighth

Been a hectic last few days. Got lucky and got the grass mowed on Wed afternoon. The rain hit about 1845 right after we got to RCIA and we got an inch and a quarter overnight. Of course, at 4 AM Thursday morning the alarm went off that the sump pump pit had overflowed. The switch stuck on the pump. gave it a whack and it started and then worked like it was supposed to. Of course I spent most of the day Thursday cleaning up the floor in the storage area and have the fan on the indoor-outdoor carpet in the laundry room that got wet. Also had a spot in the family room that got wet. Can only figure that there is a crack in the concrete that the water came up through since the drain lines were not being emptied. Carpet is still drying. Jack had a back to school night and he was selected to do a clay project as a demo for it. They picked a number of kids from each grade (1 thru 4) to do it. Then I woke up this morning with an infected big toe on my right foot and had to go to the doctor's and get antibiotics. Thank goodness it's not too sore since we are walking around Philadelphia tomorrow. They have changed the weather to 20% chance of scattered thunderstorms tomorrow evening, so hopefully we won't get wet. Jack's over with Matthew his backyard buddy. Quiet night tonight, I hope.

Later,

Charley

Rain, Rain and more rain coming.

Rained again last night, more rain coming tonight and calling for rain on Friday night and Saturday.

The Cub Scouts are going to Philadelphia on Saturday. We are leaving Middletown at 0730 by train. We just found out that Saturday is also National Train Day and the conductor is to present a special program for us. Anyhow, we might end up walking around Philadelphia in the wet. We are doing the National Parks Junior ranger program so the scouts will get patches. Looks like a fun day.

Charlie and I have been able to get our walks in. Going this morning in the mist. It is foggy out. Doesn't look to good for tomorrow morning, but we will wait and see.

Need to cut the grass. Looks like I'll be able to make hay when I can finally get to it. It's already twice as high as when I normally cut it. And of course, the hand mower with the bagger is not working properly.

Time to get Jack on the bus and then walk.

Charley

Rain

Rain since during the night. Calling for it until sometime Tuesday. We need it, three days worth!!
Shell comes home today. Was due in to Baltimore at 11:30 tonight, but was going to try and get an earlier flight. Haven't heard from her since noon Texas time, so don't know if she caught the 1:30 flight or if she's still min Texas awaiting her 4:40 flight. Jack is at Matt V's. They got back from South Carolina right after lunch. Matt called about 3 PM for him to come over. Not much else going on. Just chilling, waiting to hear from Shell and for Jack to come home.
Jack and I spent 4 hours cleaning the house this morning. Still smells of Murphy's Oil Soap.
Oh well, back to the routine tomorrow. Drum tomorrow, Scouts Tuesday, RCIA Wednesday, and Jack's Art show on Thursday. He's demonstrating something for 20 minutes.
This Saturday we take the Cub Scouts to Philadelphia for the day. Leave Middletown on the train at 7AM, then take the subway downtown. spend the day doing the Junior Ranger Tour, the subway and train back to Middletown. Get home about 8 PM. Will be a long day.
Later,

Charley

Thursday 4/30

Well April showers are supposed to be gone and May flowers are to arrive. Forecast is for rain for Fri thru Mon and we are still waiting on most of the flowers to start blooming.
Just got back from the morning walk and it does feel like rain. At least the body joints are saying so.
Yesterday was kind of a goof off day. Got a lot of small things done, but did not tackle the mulch. Looks now like it will be next week for that.
Have an appointment at 1:30 with the Tribunal Priest. Hopefully it won't take more than an hour.
Need to get to Masonic Village and get my Mom's wash. I would suspect they will quarantine the place when the first case of flu shows up. Maybe I can get it today and back tomorrow. I do her wash about every two weeks.
Jack and I decided no beach this weekend since its to rain down there until Tuesday.
There's things to do around Hershey on Saturday and his back yard buddy should be home for Sunday.
Well, off to the shower.

Charley

Tuesday 4/28

Got Jack off to school and then went to Costco to get the tires on the Durango balanced and rotated. Ran to Steelton to get an exhaust fan for the beach house. They were out but the more fans were shipped and are due this week. Came home, had lunch and cut the grass. Jack and I just finished supper. His den is not meeting tonight so we have a free evening. The cold front is due through tonight. High tomorrow only 57. Will feel nice after 5 days in the 90's. Ice Cream Corner is open, so maybe Jack & I will run over there a little later.

Monday evening.

Well, went to the bank, had the oil changed in the Durango, got some food. Went by the car wash and it had a fifteen car line so came home and washed both cars in the driveway.
Shell called and I picked her up before Jack got home. She waited and said goodbye to him and headed for Baltimore. Jack and I went to his drum lessons and then to the Soda Jerk for supper. Now at home, both of us in PJ's just veging. Tired from being out in the heat. Tied old record of 92 for today. I can't take the heat as well as I used to. Dancing with the Stars on soon. Got hooked on it from the start. will either go to Root's (farmers market) or get the tires balanced and rotated tomorrow. Will decide in the morning.


Charley

A beautiful summer?? morning in April.

90's in April?? Got up this AM and the house was still hot. Had the windows open all night and it was 86 in the house at 10PM. Only went down to 79 inside overnight. After I got back from taking Shell to work, I closed up and turned the air on set at 75. It's supposed to be 91 here in Hershey today.

Shell leaves tonight for San Antonio, TX for her annual ONS national conference. She's presenting a four hour mini session on Wednesday. Will be back home next Sunday, so Jack and I will have a boys week.

Will decide by Thursday if we are going to the beach. Probably will, since he only has a half day of school on Friday.

Just now got back from my daily walk with Charlie my neighbor. We do about 3 miles every morning after Jack leaves for school. Walked over by Rt 422 to see the sink hole that has the east bound lanes closed. It's a small cavern under both lanes. Penndot was getting ready to dig about a 30 ft section of the road.

Need to run some errands locally and do some grocery shopping and then will decide what else I'll do for the day. Still have mulch to spread in the back, but will probably wait until tomorrow or Wednesday when it's cooler. Jack has his drum lessons after school today, so won't get into too much.

Later.

Charley

back in Hershey

Safely back in Hershey. Going to chill the rest of the day in our 89 degree weather.

Sunday 4/26

Planned to sleep in, but was wide awake at 0615. Had my coffee, walked the dog and been talking with my son Jack, who was already up at 0615. Will chill some this morning before heading back to Hershey. My friend, Rich, came along this trip. It was his first trip helping to work on the lighthouse. Gladly, I didn't work him too hard and he wants to come back again. It's already 73 and they are calling for another 88 to 90 degree day. Tempting to stay all day. Will have to see what Rich wants to do.

Charley

Lighthouse work party 4/25

What a beautiful day to be out on the water. Sunny and ended up going to 91 degrees. We arrived at the finger pier at the Cape May-Lewes Ferry at 0730 unloaded the vehicles. The Delaware Bay Launch work boat arrived at 0755, we loaded our tools and materials and off we were to Harbor of Refuge. Our main goal was to prep the lower dock for the Army Corps of Engineers to offload the new caisson door this coming week. WE had it finished before noon and we also got the new steps to the upper dock in place, repaired the substructure of the upper dock and got the safety system in place marking the edges of the dock. Plus the interior of the lighthouse was cleaned in preparation of our summer tours. We were picked up by the work boat at 1420 and stopped at Delaware East End to inspect it in preparation for our tours. It also with stood the winter. Back on shore a little after 1400 and thus ended another successful work trip.

At the Beach

9:28 PM EDT

At the beach house getting ready for bed. Will be up at 6 AM to start breakfast and then to Lewes to unload the vehicles and load the work boat for an 8 AM departure to Harbor of Refuge. Will be there until about 3 PM and will stop for an inspection of Delaware East End Light on the way back to the finger pier at the Lewes-Cape May ferry Terminal.

More tomorrow night.

Charley

Heading to the Delaware beach

2:52 PM EDT

Heading to the Delaware beach in about an hour. Going to work on Harbor of Refuge Lighthouse tomorrow getting it ready for the tours this summer. I belong to the Delaware River and Bay Lighthouse Foundation and we own Harbor of Refuge. We are restoring it and offer tours along with Delaware East End Lighthouse which is owned by the State of Delaware. If you are interested go to the website
--- http://www.delawarebaylights.org/ ---


and sign up for a tour. Or better yet become a member and come help us restore the lighthouse.

I'll post pictures and what we did on our work party which is all day tomorrow April 25.


Charley