Company House

I grew up in half of a double block in the Mayflower section of Wilkes-Barre. Our home, originally a house built by a coal company was a far cry from the McMansions people are building today. I remember that house fondly, and often walk its floors in my memory.

My dad totally renovated the home after a number of years. It originally belonged to my grandmother, who passed it down to my mother. When he first moved in, my dad said that it was so drafty, he could feel a breeze, especially in the winter.

Upstairs had three bedrooms. No hallway, no bathroom, no laundry room, no balcony...just three interconnected rooms. There was one bathroom in the house, downstairs...added on. I heard that there used to be an outhouse until Uncle Pete added an inside bathroom.

The kitchen was really a great room...had a pantry (later removed) and the entrance to the cellar. The coal furnace in the cellar looked like some kind of primitive robot. The coal cellar, kind of a closet with a tiny window for the coal truck's chute, rested in a corner near the front of the cellar.

This house had a great front porch, too, protected by a huge chestnut tree for many years. As long as I could remember, a dark green rocking chair sat on that porch.

One irony about this house is that my husband, while driving the bus here in Reading, met someone else who lived in that house! What happened was my grandmother and grandfather moved the family to Baltimore for a few years and they rented it out. What a small world!

Just say you grew up in Wilkes-Barre sometime (or that your wife did) and it's amazing that you can make a connection. But the exact same house? That's serendipity, that's cool, that's family history.

"Dat's Da Saddest Ding I Ever Saw"

I promised you more yesterday, and hope that I am able to deliver it in an appropriate manner today.

Sharon was driving home from her boyfriend's house in her Acura Integra. Right near the Half-Circle Barbeque, her life ended with a horrific smash. She attempted to get home that night so her mom wouldn't worry about her. There are so many ironies here.

Sharon was killed fifty years TO THE DAY that her grandfather was killed fighting in the Phillipines at the end of World War II. He gave his life so that Americans could be free...to have the freedom to do many things, including, you guessed it, the right to drive home in the early morning hours without fear.

Sharon drove an Acura Integra...so did I. The Integras are fabulous vehicles; they look good, and they drive even better. Unfortunately, they are not what I would call roomy cars. The driver fits in snugly but easily. I traded mine in when I had kids and needed more room.

She was planning a wedding. Her boyfriend asked her to get married in Las Vegas, but Sharon said no. Why? She wanted her dad to give her away. Her parents were so important to this only child, who gave them every consideration. While compiling our family history, I corresponded with her and found her a delightful person ready to give me the information I needed. Her personality came through in her handwriting: circular, almost bubbly, clear, careful.

My godfather, my dear Uncle George, was with me at the funeral. I remember the quiet of the funeral visiting hours and the enormous amount of people. Most of all, I remember our time at the gravesite.

Uncle George was not what you would call a "polished" man, but he was okay. Short, a little squat even, and loud, it didn't seem possible that he had a soft side, but he did. He worked with stone, a mason, and perhaps some of that hard substance infused into his skin. I sat in the car with him while our other relatives bunched around the grave.

We had a perfect view of everyone, especially Sharon's parents. After the services were over, nobody wanted to leave. Sharon's mom hugged her only child's casket and sobbed as Frank bent over to shield her. "My baby, my baby," she wept. I sobbed, thinking of my own brother. Uncle George, silent as his stones, had tears rolling down his cheeks. My strong godfather looked at me and said "Dat's da saddest ding I ever saw." Alone in the car on that August day, we cried.

Earlier, I had been amazed at my cousin's viewing. Sharon was a beautiful woman with blue eyes, blonde hair and a gorgeous smile. At the viewing, it was her hands that had me riveted. Her hands are my hands, the ones I see every day, the too-big peasant looking hands, indicating my farming ancestry. Our nails were shaped the same, the size almost identical, even the skin tone. You see, her father and my father are first cousins which can account for the physical similarities of our hands. Our loving Auntie Helen had those same hands, too.

God bless our family on both sides of Heaven.

Jason Politz Back In The Can

Jason Politz killed my cousin Sharon through a drunken driving accident. It's a shame all around. If that wasn't enough to get him to fight his demon of alcoholism, I don't know what is....Yesterday, he was sentenced to jail...again. The following article comes from Wilkes-Barre's Times Leader. The reporter's name is David Weiss. The sub-title says "Jason Politz gets 18 to 36 months after second drunken-driving arrest after 1995 deadly wreck."

"Jason Politz will be back in state prison for 18 to 36 months on drunken driving charges. This is the second time he's faced such charges after killing a woman in a drunken wreck in 1995.

Politz, 35, of Lyndwood Avenue in Hanover Township, pleaded guilty earlier this month to two counts of DUI and a tampering charge in connection with a Feb. 17 traffic stop.

State trooper Bernard Kizis saw Politz traveling 65 mph in a 35 mph zone on Blackman Street. Kizis said Politz crossed the center line at least twice before coming to a red light at state Route 309 in Wilkes-Barre Township.

Kizis stopped Politz, who had a blood-alcohol level of 0.22 percent. An adult driver in Pennsylvania is considered intoxicated at o.o8 percent.

Politz was also charged with tampering with an ignition interlock device that was installed on his vehicle after a 2003 drunken driving conviction in Wyoming County.

That arrest came after he was released from prison in 2000 after serving more than three years for killing Sharon Yanulevius in a 1995 Hanover Township crash.

Politz had a blood-alcohol level of 0.14 percent in that wreck, which played a factor in his new case.

The DUI charges in Politz's latest case carried a mandatory minimum sentence on one year in prison because it was his third offense and his blood-alcohol level was so high.

But Assistant District Attorney Gene Molino asked Court of Common Pleas Judge Joseph Augello to sentence Politz to two and a half to five years in prison, the maximum sentence allowed on the charge.

Augello didn't level that sentence, but went beyond the mandatory sentence of one year in prison based, in part, on the severity of Politz's past incident and his failure to control his drinking.

The prison sentence came as a relief to Yanulevius' parents.

"They won't be serving Coors Light in there," said Yanulevius' father, Frank.

Frank and his wife, also named Sharon, attended Tuesday's sentencing. They said they doubt the sentence will change Politz's attitude.

"He's had 11 years since he's killed our daughter," Sharon said. "Nothing's stopped him."

Politz on Tuesday told Augello he struggles daily with his actions in the Yanulevius death.

His attorney, Vincent Cappellini, hoped his client would be sentenced to probation and house arrest. He said Politz is in Alcoholics Anonymous and works full time.

Politz must report to prison Friday. Upon serving his jail sentence, he must also serve two years probation. Augello also ordered Politz to pay more than $3,000 in fines."

Gee, maybe he'll have to sell his car. Too bad, huh?

I have a lot more to say about this. Tune in tomorrow.

One Down

One syllabus down...the one for three comp. classes. Happy, happy, happy...

Busy day tomorrow, what else is new?
*************

Top Ten Excuses Not to Write in My Blog.

10. The dishes are higher than the sink.
9. The laundry is higher than the washing machine.
8. Big Brother/Survivor/Who Wants To Be a Superhero or a British Comedy is playing on TV.
7. I'm busy reading Tom's blog, Things at Kings.
6. My eyes are tired.
5. My tea is not ready or too cold.
4. I'm pretending to be Hyacinth Bucket.
3. The chinchilla is squeaking.
2. I have to cook something for dinner.
1. My kids come first.

Boo Hoo

I am cherishing this last week before my kids go back to school. I miss them terribly in the first weeks...they miss me too. I am home when they come home from school, and I am grateful for that. I know that others are not so lucky. As I said before, I enjoy my time with them. I hope we always enjoy being together.

Getting ready for school is always such a flurry of activity. By the way, I am also grateful for school uniforms. I really like how we don't have to think about what is appropriate or comfortable to wear to school. Which reminds me, I have to stop at Holy Name and get Elena her official gym uniform....

We also discovered a macadam path that Elena can use to walk back and forth to her bus. It seems that she has to walk pretty far, uphill, too, but then I recall my walks to schools. Walking is good, but you can bet that I'll be giving her a ride when it's really cold or slippery. She is so lucky to be able to go to a great school like Holy Name. I am impressed with their curriculum choices and not only their theology and music classes, but their retreats and music activities. These are great choices for Elena. She is interested in the Liturgical Choir and the school musical, which will be Fiddler on the Roof. The ninth graders will have a retreat the SECOND day of school...this also impresses me. She is joining the folk choir at church, too. Her experience in the children's choir was a good one, so there's no doubt she'll enjoy this one, too. We'll see if she can still fit in Handbell Choir, too...which she also loves. My grandmother, a person who liked to sing and dance, according to my father...would be so proud of our Elena.

And yes, it's back to cheering tonight...(we got the power to, we got the power to, we got the power to whoop you)...I keep hearing that one in my head! Emma can't wait for those pom-poms. Her confidence inspires me.

Tony is taking it easy for the time being. We are working on finding a venue for his wrestling team at one of the area colleges. I'm hoping that we'll be at PSU because it is so close to our home...but we'd drive anywhere for wrestling.

Our schedule today includes a trip to Chocolateworld in Hershey and a Jaws marathon.

Hold on tight, Marie.

Italian Festival

We are heading over to Cacoosing for the Italian Festival this afternoon. Emma is scheduled to participate in the Little Miss Italy contest. I'll let ya know how we do...

It actually rained here last night for a few minutes around midnight. It's been pretty humid, although right now it's 81 degrees.

Lots of news at church today...Father Rich is going to St. Ann's in Emmaus, we got our parish picture directory...very nice, CYO wrestlers need a venue, and our next door neighbor's surgery is scheduled for Tuesday...please pray for her.

Dangerous Mouth

I recently discovered a father who is telling his son that women should be subservient to men. This man's ego has got him into trouble before because he has served time in a federal prison.

The boy must have been somewhat troubled by this information because he shared it with his grandmother (his mother's mother). I'm sure she was horrified, but not shocked, considering the source. She told him that piece of information was false. I don't think she told him why, though. I wish I could have talked to the boy instead.

Unfortunately, the boy took this information back to his father. Now (you guessed it) he does not see his grandmother. The boy's mother is an emotional wreck and incapable of standing up to Mr. Ego. Mr. Ego's girlfriend, if she has a lick of sense, would not stand for this. After all, she's the money in their relationship. Gee, I wonder who is subservient there?

********************

Dear *****,

Women and men are here on earth to help each other, to bless each other, to continue the human race together. God wants you to honor both of your parents equally. One parent is not "better" than another parent, just different. There is a Chinese symbol called ying and yang...you've probably seen it. It shows how two unlike parts make a unified whole.

Look at all the wonderful women in your life: your mother, your grandmothers, your aunts, your cousins, your teachers, your nurses and other medical personnel. How about the woman who is the U.S. Secretary of State? How about all the great women in our past, like Marie Curie? What about the holy women of the church, like St. Therese of Lisieux? The strong women mentioned in the Bible are inspiring: Ruth and Naomi, Esther, Leah, Rachel, Mary Magdalene, Elizabeth, Sarah...Of course, then, there is the greatest woman of all, our Blessed Mother.

Please remember that, no matter what your father says, nobody is "better than" anybody else regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, financial status or disposition. I am praying that you will follow the right path.

************************

Hmmmm....

Don't think of literary form. Let it get out as it wants to. Overtell it in the matter of detail--cutting comes later. --John Steinbeck

This quotation jumped out at me from a book called A Writer's Book of Days by Judy Reeves.

My writing sometimes seems very spare. Sure, there's description. It reflects my personality in some ways. I don't suffer fools gladly, but I am patient most of the time. I generate the important (to me) details. I consider the rest of what I could say "fluff." I urge my students to push the envelope with description, to surround readers with the moment. At the same time, I don't want to bulldoze through details that are not relevant.

John Steinbeck is saying that a writer should write it down first and cut later. Yes, but some writers edit before the words flow out of the pen. Look how clean Hemingway's writing is, for example. Nothing superfluous...I guess the middle of the road is the best.

*****

I volunteered to be on the "Literary Magazine" Committee at KU today. I'll let you know how it goes.

*****

I am reflecting on Father Larry Richards' Mission at our church this year. He's filled with enthusiasm and truth. He told all of us to read our Bibles every day. "Bible before breakfast; bible before bed." I've never read the bible cover to cover, have you? I read the Book of Judith the other night and was enthralled. I'd love to visit Father Larry's church in Erie sometime. Going to confession with someone like him on the other side must be awesome. He is also selling some great t-shirts that say "I love my German Shepherd" on the front, with a picture of Pope Benedict on the back.
******

Promise...No Laughing

Okay...for those of you who know me...you are NOT allowed to laugh, snigger or roll your eyes for the next two minutes.

I have been recruited to be the assistant coach for Emma's Flag Football Cheerleading Squad.

Hey! You are NOT allowed to do that...see the first lines of this entry!

Emma is having a great time with it, so I am happy to help out. The Holy Name program is in its first year and many children have moved from the football programs at the public schools to be involved with the CYO. This is so great for the kids. It's important to be proud of who you are and where you come from as a person.

We are in the process of learning chants this week. The girls are going into kindergarten, first and second grades. The head coach is a former cheerleader and went to King's College where she cheered for the basketball team. She seems to be great with the kids so far...lots of patience!

I'll keep you posted on our progress. A-W-E/S-O-M-E- Awesome, Awesome, Awesome are we!

Busy in the Beehive

The town I grew up in has a great town symbol...a beehive. When I moved away I think I took that beehive with me.

We always seem to be running somewhere or doing something. For example, on Sunday, the Boy Scout pack is having a picnic at our pool, and the Italian Festival is staging their Little Miss Italy contest. Normally, it would be very simple to navigate this...one parent to the pool, one parent to the contest...BUT what if our contestant wins with one parent and sibling at the pool? I have a feeling we'll be driving back and forth a bit that day.

I would hate to miss anything in my kids' lives right now. I know that many parents feel that it is the best thing to have date nights or vacations without the kids. I dunno...maybe I got married too late for that. When I go somewhere without them, I miss them. We enjoy being together and just hanging out or discovering something or someone new. I'm hesitating signing up for continuing my own education because I might be without them for a week or two or three or more.

Our home is our beehive...All of us go out and do our various activities and return to share the day...and many days we go out in the evening for other activities. It's holy chaos...a nice kind of chaos.

Emma is learning how to read with a Dick and Jane book from my library. She is making progress by leaps and bounds. It's amazing. She is busy as a little bee with her drawing, too. Tony is busy gathering his school supplies together and taking care of his chinchilla and his new Siamese Fighting Fish. Elena is the busiest bee, floating from one flower of friendship to another and getting ready for high school.

Tony and I seem to be always moving...moving...moving....and loving it.
God Bless our little beehive.

Frazzled

Well, the beginning of the school year is fast approaching. Supply lists and backpack choices need to purchased, syllabi need to be created, uniforms and clothing and shoes need to be purchased or ordered or dusted off or whatever. Lunchboxes? Folders? Contact paper? Summer Reading Books?

Then we need the cash...lunch emergency money...school stationary money...party money...field trip money...teacher appreciation money...I could keep going, but I might get depressed.

I teach at two schools...Elena goes to a high school now, and Emma and Tony go to their elementary school. I am very relieved that both schools I teach at have their Spring Breaks the same week this year. WAHOO! I am very grateful that I have a schedule that allows me to be home when the kids are home. I am distraught about my husband's scheduled work runs. I am ecstatic that I've been excused from jury duty on the first day of school...Thank you Berks County Courts! You do have a heart. I'm not looking forward to meetings of various kinds, either...Back to School Night, Freshman Picnic, Meet the Teacher Night, First Grade Open House, English Department Meeting, College of Liberal Arts Meeting, Cheerleading Parent Meeting, Wrestlers Meeting, How to Meetings, Where Is My Brain Meetings.

Two women I know don't even have their kids properly registered at their schools yet. Somebody else is still deciding which college to attend, and another which courses to take. Students and parents are wrestling with the torrent of financial aid paperwork. AND...Eliot is overdue for his Senior Feline Checkup.

Was it T.S. Eliot who said "Hold on tight, Marie," or was that somebody else?

Peachy

It is 67.1 degrees as I write this morning at 9 a.m. What a blessed relief...now we need some rain.

Emma and I shared our peaches from Esther's market stand in the neighborhood today. It seems as if you either love 'em or hate 'em. Most people hate the fuzz. Some people are even allergic to the fuzz.

These peaches are especially good, so if you want directions to Esther's stand, lemme know.
***********
I am sad to report that another of Reading's finest has been gunned down, and his funeral is today. God bless all of our police and fire personnel.

I am also sad to report that my cousin's father-in-law died yesterday, with a funeral on Friday. Please keep them in your prayers.

************

Still working on my story...I feel like I can do this.

Maniac Madonna

Well, she's done it...again.

Madonna staged a mock crucifixion in Rome...of herself. She is a lapsed Catholic of Italian heritage who now talks with a fake Brit accent. I feel sorry for her because she doesn't even know who she really is anymore.

Do I like her music? I used to...It's bland and pop-like, very danceable, but her voice is not her talent. Her chutzpah is her talent. Now that she is 47 years old I guess that she is reluctant to take off her clothes on stage as often as she used to...

She is obviously searching for a spiritual connection. Why she is gunning for excommunication is unexplainable. This latest stunt is in poor taste at the very least.

Our Blessed Mother stood at the foot of the cross, dear, and it wasn't a publicity stunt. Some people will do anything for money.

Judi, Judi, Judi

I got a letter from London today. About a week or so ago, I sent an e-mail to Judi Dench through her publicist. I know that autograph seekers usually have to send a SASE and IRCs to get autographed pictures, but when I saw the e-mail address I figured I'd give it a try.
Back to my letter....I got an autographed photo...personalized to me...Can you see the stars in my eyes?

Thank you Judi! I'm putting the picture in a frame next to the TV.

What a class act....who loves her fans.

By the way, the main character in my Agnes story is named...Judith....

Greetings

Our family is invited to a baptism today...nothing unusual in that except that this child is our friends' ninth child.
On one of my usual trips to Shady Maple, I thought I'd quickly pick up a baptism card to save myself some trouble. WRONG.....After digesting the slim pickins of baptism cards, I chose one and got a huge sticker shock. FOUR DOLLARS for a card...I remember when the four dollars would be considered a good-sized gift in a birthday card.

Forget it.

Put the card back, figuring I'd head to Target or the Hallmark store anyhow.

Then I remembered my Hallmark Card Studio software from 2003. Funny, but I must have gone through a printer or two since I used this software last. I had to print out the card two or three times until I got it exactly right. So there. PHTTTTTT!!! to grocery store card prices.

Makes me crazy.

I know people who only send e-cards. This is fun, but I don't feel right attending an event and saying...check your e-mail. E-cards are great, but sometimes not appropos.

It is 75.8 degrees as I write this at 11:19 a.m. I am grateful for the weather change.

Still workin' on my Agnes story.

I'm On a Mission

Vacation Bible School at St. Ignatius Loyola is always a great time for most of the kids. Crafts, games, snacks, air conditioning, songs...what more could you ask for?

Today I ran the craft table, making Holy Heroes Books...basically decorated photo albums that the kids could put prayer cards or saint cards or pictures of special people all in one place. As far as crafts go, it is quite an easy one.

The children raised money to help defray the costs of a seminarian from our parish.

I love to watch when the entire group of kids, captains, and guides get together. (The captains are older kids like Tony and Elena, and the guides are parents.) They sing cool songs like the one I used for my title, with choreographed movements. The spirit of JPII is there for me when they sing and dance to peppy tunes about their faith. I honestly could cry when I see the young people at these times...they don't know how lucky they are.

The high school kids or recent graduates who help out are phenomenal, too. It's usually at this age when we lose their interest, so I am very happy to see them participating. There were 135 kids who registered for VBS this year (this doesn't count the captains)...The largest group is 39 kids in Emma's age group. Wow.

They all wear special t-shirts with the theme of "Circus of the Stars" emblazoned on them. The captains and guides wear slightly different shirts...what a sense of belonging to something important.

************
Football Musing
I'm hearing rumblings that T.O. is not really getting along with his new QB, Bledsoe. So soon, T.O.? I'd love to see him on a reality show...oh, wait...he is on a reality show called the NFL.

Go Eagles!

SOAP

My son has been looking forward to seeing a movie called Snakes on a Plane...

When we first discovered this movie, it looked campy and fun...and about snakes...right up Tony's alley. I knew immediately that it was not for me!

My son's love affair with learning about snakes inspired Joan to invite a friend to her house who lives with pet snakes. This friend brought along her husband and his (gulp) yellow Burmese Python. I dutifully took Tony over to visit with said reptile, and waited while he visited. Being this close to a snake this large, in a house...well...my nerves were shot pretty quickly. Joan had the snake wrapped around her...Tony took pictures and touched the snake. I observed its muscles moving under its skin...which is what I think bothers me the most about snakes. Fascinating and repelling. After this close encounter I drove home and had to rest.

Back to the movie. Joan and Tony decided that they would go to see this movie that created such a stir on the Internet. They have been looking forward to the release date for months. However, a small problem has arisen...New Line Cinema requested that the movie have more gore and violence and sex scenes, to appeal to the horror movie crowd. The filmakers dutifully complied and now the campy fun of watching what happens with 400 snakes on a plane has turned into Something Else. It's now rated R, rightfully. Tony is worried that it might be too much for him, although he would leap at the chance to go if I let him.

He and Joan are probably going to keep their movie date...maybe even go tomorrow...to see Johnny Depp's Pirates of the Caribbean Part 2.

Unfortunately, I will have to preview SOAP when it comes on HBO to see if it is okay...I doubt it will be, but wish me luck.

**************

Pray for Mel Gibson's successful recovery. Alcoholism is a huge demon to have to dance with.

Serenity

Last night, I went to a Mass and a lecture featuring Bob and Penny Lord. They do not know it, but they helped set me back on a proper spiritual road a while back when I had strayed away. I took Emma with me, and joined neighbors for the drive into town last night.

I am amazed at the people who embrace being Catholic. Why? I envy their peace, their inner and outer glow the others might envy a red BMW or a McMansion. I admit it. I'm inspired by it. These people are way ahead of me in their spiritual relationships...I learn from them with every contact and delight in their company, simplicity, and humbleness.

Bob and Penny stated that they visited Holy Rosary, not at the pastor's request, but at their own request because he "feeds" them so well. Now, you and I both know that Berks County has many great places to eat...but they were talking about their spirits. I was impressed that this globe-trotting couple who research Catholic topics and run pilgrimages came to a little Italian church downtown.

Afterwards, both of them took time to talk with every person who wanted to meet them. Of course, Emma was one of the first people they spoke with...surprisingly, she became a little scared at meeting someone who she knew only through the television. They soon made her feel at ease, and before I knew it, Emma was ready for a big piece of cake and some pizza!

A friend of mine since I was a young girl happened to be there last night, too! She is the grandmother of a future seminarian. I am always happy to visit with her. She helped me out when Elena was little and I had to work. My parents lived out of town and Tony's parents were overcome with caring for his sister's children, and I had no one to turn to....until Agnes showed up at the door with a smile and a hug. I don't think she knows how much I will always love and appreciate her selfless effort. Anyway she told me a really funny story...and it's short so I'll repeat it here.

I told her about my son, Tony, who claims that he wants to be a priest because "they don't get married"...which is funny enough. She told me that her grandson, about to be married next month, used to say the same thing at Tony's age, but took it one step further. He wanted to become a Trappist monk because not only do monks not marry, but they are not required to talk to women, either. We all chuckled about that.

If you think of it, please say a prayer for Peter, who wants to be a priest for the proper reasons.

*************

Zoo update:

Elena brought home not one, but two hermit crabs. They are ensconced in a purple hermit crab home with bright green sand. Elena's name is also painted in purple on the side of the home. Sam and Dotty are a welcome addition to our happy animal group.

My in the shade of the carport thermometer is now reading 92.2 degrees with changeable weather coming. Sheesh...I sure hope the change is COOLER and SOON.