TORNADO


Sitting here thinking of my bad luck
And how that tornado put a tree thru my truck
At least my grandson made it through
The other folks lost theirs, too
Not knowing of the coming tornado
And damage it could do
They sat in the breakroom
In front of windows & glass when it blew
A few cuts and scratches they did show
They know that next time
To find cover when the wind blows
There was not a siren or sound made
I knew the tornado was on its’ way
I called my daughter, Renee
I told her to find cover
It wasn’t far away
She was in the yard watching the sky
On the phone she said it’s too quiet
I was 50 miles away but I heard that sound
I screamed “Run, it’s on the way”
The cats & dogs passed her to the basement in the ground
It was over as quick as it came
Roofs torn & broken window panes
Be aware of tornado warnings
They arrive in the night and the mornings
Seek shelter and hide best you can
For as long as we cut down trees
And clear the land
We may find ourselves living on sand
Trees do break the wind
So when you cut down a tree
Replant with 2 or 3
And build back up our land.
Diane Harpole 2/2/2023

LIFE

How I Appreciate the Good Things

There is a constant in life…..it’s called LIFE. Good things happen to you. Bad things happen to you. Little inconsequential things happen to you. Things that annoy you. Things make you sad, confused, irritated, etc…….., and on the other hand, things that make you happy, warm, secure, safe, and without worry.

From my experience, there appears to be a lot more irritating, confusing, and bad crap in life than there is genuinely good, caring, honest, and accountable things in life.

The only way I know how to appreciate the good things, other than when they happen, is to mention the crap I hate or that irritates me. So here we go……a list of life happenings that I can’t stand. (Only 20 for now but there’s much more.)

  1. I hate it when I kick the bed in the dark on the way to the bathroom. Ouch!
  2. I hate ATM’s I can’t reach from the car window.
  3. I hate idiot “safety” rules at work made by a safety guy who has never done your job and actually makes your job more dangerous than safe. (Ex., tying off your safety harness to a scissor lift when you are 40 ft in the air. If the scissor lift tips over, wouldn’t you want a chance to jump free instead of being tied to it?). However….that’s the rules of safety so we do it.
  4. It is MORE THAN ANNOYING when you mention to someone who is trying to make their point, to quit making their point because you understand their point…..10 minutes later……they try to make their point again. Just be quiet already or talk about something good! DANG!
  5. I REALLY hate it when I’m ordering through the drive thru window…..at any place…..and order condiments and only get the food…..then the food has pickles when I specifically said….NO PICKLES. Yuck!
  6. I hate diarrhea and that rash you get in your crack afterwards. Gotta Love Imodium. It’s a cork in a pill.
  7. I hate borderline diarrhea where you simply have a soft stool and have to wipe for 10 yrs also causing a rash and a whole roll of toilet paper.
  8. I hate getting a rock in my shoe.
  9. Paper cuts…..need I say more.
  10. I hate it when almost an entire generation of people feel like they are entitled to everything without working for it. Especially when they are ungrateful for what you have already done for them.
  11. I hate it when you sleep really really good, but wake up with a crick in your neck. Just spoils the whole great sleep you just had.
  12. I hate that little tickle in your nostril because it’s been a week or more since you trimmed your nose hair, so you have to pull it out manually.
  13. I hate it when the clothes washer takes a crap and you have to load up all your clothes and head to the public laundry.
  14. I love competition but hate sore losers. Sorry Auburn. Roll Tide!
  15. I hate it when some POS such as Harvey Weinstein and others get away with child molestation and murder because they are extremely wealthy.
  16. I hate most Democrats in congress. (i.e. Adam Schiff, Nancy Pelosi, AOC, you get the point.)
  17. The Government…..love or hate them, they still irritate the crap out of me.
  18. I hate the pungent green vegetables, such as asparagus, spinach, etc…
  19. I hate it when my cake fails.
  20. I hate the Devil because we have enough evil in this world without his interference.

As you can see, there are a lot of annoying, crappy things that can happen to you, from major to minor things. Any one of these little annoyances, life quirks, or grievances can spoil your day.

That said……..when the good stuff happens, it really REALLY makes your day so much better and makes you appreciate the good stuff. Whatever has happened to you that annoys you and puts you in a bad mood…..try to stay positive and keep a good attitude, because you might be able to have a positive impact on someone else who has had a shittier day that you.

Bain Mitchum

CHALLENGES OF WIDOWS

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU 

SOME DAYS REALLY GET LONELY 

WHEN YOU’VE LOST YOUR ONE AND ONLY 

OTHER DAYS YOU FEEL BLUE 

AND JUST CAN’T UNDERSTAND 

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU? 

YOU’VE NEVER BEEN ALONE BEFORE 

YOU THINK OF THINGS TO DO 

AND WHEN YOU’VE CLEANED ALL THE FLOORS 

YOU STILL WONDER— 

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU? 

YOU GO FROM ROOM TO ROOM 

JUST TO LOOK AND REMEMBER 

THINGS YOU SHOULD HAVE DONE 

YOU SEE DUST ON THE VASE 

YOU LEAVE TO GET A DUST CLOTH 

AND YOU RETURN TO FORGET  

WHY YOU LEFT IN THE FIRST PLACE 

YOU STAND AND STEW 

TRYING TO FIGURE OUT 

WHAT’S THE MATTER WITH YOU? 

YOU GO OUTSIDE TO BREATHE 

AND LISTEN TO THE BIRDS SING 

YOU WATCH THE RIPPLES ON THE LAKE 

LOOK AT ALL THE LEAVES TO RAKE 

A GREAT CALM COMES OVER YOU 

YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES 

AND REMEMBER THERE IS ABSOLUTELY 

NOTHING THE MATTER WITH YOU! 

D HARPOLE 12/27/2022 

Paterson Great Falls

Patterson, New Jersey

Paterson Great Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls I have ever seen.  The waterfall is 77 feet tall and 260 feet wide; it is located on the Passaic River.  Paterson Falls is the 2nd largest waterfall east of the Mississippi River.  There is a lot of history and geology about the falls.  

The falls are made up of basalt rock and other minerals..  When you look at the falls you can see the different brown tones in the rock.  The weathering that is occurring is causing the different tones you see in the rocks.  The falls were created when the earth was one supercontinent called the Pangea..  When the Pangea began to split the land began to sink.  The lava flow came up from faults and flowed around 50 miles and hardened into a rock called basalt.  This was one of the processes that formed the North American plate. . 

The picture above shows the beautiful tones of brown. 

Around 13,000 thousand years ago at the end of the ice age, glaciers helped form the falls and the path that the river runs. This is just a little geology about the falls .  

Now I would like to tell a little history about the falls that I found very interesting. Before settlers moved to Paterson Falls the Lenape Tribe used the land for fishing and camping.  In 1758, The Treaty of Easton was signed that required the Lenape Tribe to move westward and out of New Jersey, and many other of the surrounding states.  

When I arrived at the falls the first thing I noticed was a statue of Alexander Hamilton so I started to do a little reading and found he and some investors founded The Society for Establishing Useful Manufacturing. The SUM wanted to industrialize Paterson and harness power of the water. Alexander Hamilton wanted to start producing more in the United States and quit relying on foreign manufacturing.  Paterson was the birthplace for the American Industrial Revolution. 

If you look at the falls and the river you can see how fast the water runs.  There were companies located along the river and they used water wheels to run their manufacturing plants. Property was bought along the river to run the mills from silk, gun makers, cotton, and other various mills. The water was used as a power source to run the manufacturing plants.  

Hydroelectric Plant 1914

The Hydroelectric Plant was built to supply power to the City of Paterson and to replace the waterwheels.  In the summer months, during drought season, sometimes the plant has to shut down due to water being so low.  The plant is still in operation to this day.  I noticed a man working there when I was visiting. 

There was one thing I found very disappointing.  When I was on the bridge above the falls, I saw the trash in the river. This was disappointing seeing all the garbage floating on top of the water.  

One of the things that was an interest to me was Samual Colt had a manufacturing company below the falls and unfortunately the company failed. The company opened in 1836 and closed in 1842. People were not as interested in the products as in Europe.  The company produced single-barrel pistols, shotguns, and rifles, but people in the United States were not interested.  Though his company failed in Paterson, Samual Colt did invent and create the revolver. 

The falls is a great place to sit, relax, and have lunch as George Washington, Marquis De Lafayette, and Alexander Hamilton did in 1778.

Paterson Falls is a great place to visit.  Good for families, educational with lots of history, geology, and a good place for artists, great place to take a date and have lunch, and just overall beautiful and you can get some really great photos here.  

Note:  Bridge above the falls is currently closed and not sure when or if it will reopen. 

Seaside Heights, New Jersey Boardwalk and Beach

Seaside Heights, New Jersey has a very nice boardwalk with lots of different things to do.

Casino Pier located on the boardwalk has  a variety of rides for children to adults.  The pictures that I took were in the Spring and still a little cold.  In the summer the place is packed with people from everywhere. There is a sky lift that will take you down the beach, a large ferris wheel, roller coaster, and many other rides you can ride.  I did notice a couple of thrill rides for people to ride.  The rides are located on Casino Pier that is located on the boardwalk. 

Here is a picture of the skylift that takes you down the beach.  

The boardwalk has several souvenir shops, places for people to play games and win stuffed animals or toys, and a few restaurants with good food. You can’t take your beer outside the restaurant or on the beach as there is no drinking or smoking on the boardwalk.  I noticed walking down the boardwalk it was clean.  And if you go there you do want to wear shoes while walking on the boardwalk, because the boards can be rough on your feet.  You might get a souvenir in your foot.  Like a splinter.

The beach was nice and the waves were bigger than what is in the gulf of Mexico in the panhandle.  .The beach does get crowded so if you want to go get there early so you can decide where you would want to sit.  

One of the things I was disappointed with was you have to pay to go to the beach which can get a little pricey.  I imagine a large family would not be able to afford to go to a beach especially if they were living paycheck to paycheck and this would be bad on some people not getting to take their families to the beach.  Also there is no alcohol or pets on the beach and no loud radios.  I guess they want you to hear waves only and have peace of mind that you will not step in a puppy’s poop..

Smuckers Gourd Farm Visit

 A few days ago I went out to Smuckers Gourd Farm to pick up my gourds and to see how my Alabama hand painted gourd turned out.  I absolutely love my Alabama Crimson Tide hand painted gourd.

Smucker’s Gourd Farm is an Amish family run business.  I had a chance to speak with Mrs. Linda the mom, Mr. Smucker the dad, and their daughter Frieda.  Frieda hand painted my gourd.  We handed her several pictures to choose from and she made us a beautiful Alabama Crimson Tide Gourd.  The family is a very nice polite family and I enjoyed speaking with them.  The family grows the gourds, paints them, and sells the gourds. Some gourds are not painted.  We chose an unpainted gourd so we could have Alabama painted on the gourd.  Here are my gourds I purchased from them.  The first gourd is a feeder as you can see the open spaces in the gourd.  


My gourd, as you can see, has open holes on the sides of the gourd for the birds to be able to feed.  The colors Frieda used were red, black, and white, Alabama Crimson Tide colors.  Frieda did a great job on painting the “A”. This view can either be the front or the back of the gourd.

This view can be either the front or the back of the gourd.  Frieda hand painted the “A” and the wording, “Alabama Crimson Tide”. The feeder has four drain holes in the bottom to help with drainage.

This is a beautiful small gourd shaped like a mushroom top on the gourd.  It has a brown top with a dark red bottom where the birds can make their homes.  There are three drain holes in the bottom of the birdhouse.  You can get these gourds in various colors.  

In the picture below is another gourd with beautiful dark to light brown tones and golden lines running down the gourd in a vertical pattern. The gourd has three drain holes in the bottom.  You can get these gourds in various colors. 

The gourds you see need to be put in shaded areas as the sun can damage the paint and varnish.  Birds also prefer a cooler house in the summer just like we do.  

Below is an example of hand painted gourds that have decorative vines and a butterfly on the purple flower.  During holidays you can find gourds with Christmas scenes. 

To view more gourds, go to google and type in Smuckers Gourd Farm in Kinzers, PA.  Then click on images and you will be able to view their farm and gourds from people who have visited the farm. 

If you go out to Smuckers Gourd Farm they are open Monday – Saturday.  Their hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Tuesday is their paint day.  Smuckers Gourd Farm is located at 317 Springville Rd, Kinzers, PA 17535. Their phone number is 7173546118.  They do not have a web page.  If you want something painted like we did please take a few printed ideas for them to look at and they will let you know what they will be able to put on your gourd. 

P.S.    They are Amish so all they have is a landline.  No smartphone, internet, email, nothing.  Cannot even pay with a debit card by phone as they do not use any electricity.  The pictures we gave them had to be printed out at the hotel and given to them by hand.  If you want something painted personally, you will have to give them a description by phone.  Anything you want copied from the net, i.e. logos, pictures, etc will have to be given to them to paint.  Otherwise, family names, anything scripted like Live, Laugh, Love, etc. can be told to them by phone.  When they are done, they will ship the gourds to you and send you a bill or you can send them a check/cash for the gourds you want and they will ship them to you. The Smuckers will let you know.  You can pay by cash or check only.

Miller’s Ale House visit Lancaster, Pa

March 31, 2022 I visited Miller’s Ale House located at 1000 Christopher Place in Lancaster, Pa 17601.  There was a little bit of a wait and as I waited I noticed more and more people came into the restaurant, which is usually a good sign.  After a long day of flying and being at the airport I ordered a Blackberry Bourbon Smash which had a little kick and was relaxing.  

My relaxing happy drink made me feel a little better after my flight into Harrisburg, PA.  My flight was a bumpy flight due to severe storms heading to Harrisburg, PA and I needed something for my nerves. 

As I was sitting in my booth looking over the menu I noticed they had Prime Rib.  Thursday nights, Miller’s Ale House has prime rib specials.  I ordered the prime rib with a side of broccoli.  As you can see in the photo the broccoli was perfectly seasoned because I ate every bit of it and the prime rib there was so much I could not finish eating it.  So if you get a chance go to Miller’s Ale house and try their delicious prime rib and broccoli.  If you want a relaxing drink try the Blackberry Bourbon Smash.  The prime rib special is only on Thursdays. 

As you are sitting in the restaurant you will notice two bars and a large amount of taps of different types of beers and IPA’s. There are tv screens located on the walls surrounding the large rooms.  Each tv has different types of sports, the tv I watched had skydiving.  This restaurant is a great place for friends to get together, watch a sporting event, or just get a meal after a long day.  

Flying Delta First Class Disadvantage

Flying Delta first class can be a disadvantage when serving alcoholic beverages.  You never know what type of person is going to be in first class.  It could be a full blown alcoholic that has violent tendencies.  Knowing you can get the free alcoholic beverages will make some people want to drink.  What happens when someone sits next to them and makes them mad?  What happens when they have been drinking on the plane and come home and threaten someone or hit them?  Do you sue Delta because the servers have given them alcohol?  I have flown on many Delta flights and have seen the servers rush through serving drinks and not paying the attention they need to in order to know if someone is drunk on a plane.  

People do not take into consideration there are young children, teenagers, and others on a plane who do not drink and do not want to sit beside someone who does, especially an alcoholic with violent tendencies.  If something were to happen on a plane then that person would not be able to help the person beside them if they were drunk from the servers giving them alcohol on the plane.  This also makes it a dangerous situation for others on board.  

Lately I have read where people are becoming hostile on some planes.  When you have alcohol in some cases, some people can become violent and people can be hurt. Passengers sometimes get hit when someone who is intoxicated has a fight on a plane.  Alcohol will make it worse because it can bring out extreme anger or violence in a person.  

Sometimes when someone is drinking in a bar and they board a plane, that one hour or more flight helps them to sober up.  Servers on these planes need to start looking at some first class passengers because they may be sitting there waiting on that drink.  When sitting in first class you have several people who are drinking at times and the servers are asking would you like a drink which means non-alcoholic along with alcoholic drinks.  Someone from Alcoholics Anonymous:  it would be hard for them to be in first class knowing all alcoholic drinks are free.  What kind of discounts or amenities should they receive since Delta is catering to alcohol with “free” alcoholic beverages?  Delta should consider a first class in the front of the plane for non drinkers and put unruly or those who want to indulge the free drinks that are first class in the back of the plane so they are not so close to the pilot and a possible danger to your flight. As the old saying goes, “Party in the back of the bus”, why not party in the back of the plane away from others who just want to get to where they are going safely.

Political and covid masking on planes is another cause when people are drinking. This causes some to get angry with the people next to them and adds fuel to the fire.  

My last flight I took, the guy next to me probably would not have been able to help himself or others, if something were to happen on the plane.  This was in the main cabin.  He did not buy a drink on the plane but had been in the bar before boarding.  If he had been in the first class he would have been really bad off since he was that way when he boarded the plane. The flight attendant would have served him not knowing he had too much to drink and was three sheets in the wind. 

Another way to help passengers on a plane where alcohol is served would be to limit the amount a person buys in a time frame when flying and not continue to serve someone over and over again. 

Delta is wanting a no fly list because of alcohol and other related incidents.  Delta wants the Dept. of Transportation to have a list which would be longer than it currently is to list people who have disrupted flights and taxpayers are going to be the ones paying for it and maintaining the list.  I do not think we need to be the ones who have to pay for something Delta or other airlines could solve on their own.  

Some will read this and get mad and some will agree with what I have said.  Some that have to have that drink may need to take a look at themselves.  They may be an abuser and not realize it.   I do think not everyone who takes a drink is an alcoholic.  But you do have to consider the others on the plane and what they might do to you on the flight if they have had too much and you do not know it. I am sure this has happened on other carriers besides Delta, but this is what I have observed on several flights. 

Diana Renee M

CHALLENGES OF A WIDOW #3

EVER WAKE UP TO NO ELECTRICITY?

IF YOU HAVE A WELL 

IT’S NOT LIKE LIVING IN THE CITY

YOU ONLY HAVE ONE FLUSH IN THE TOILET

BETTER MAKE IT COUNT—YOU MIGHT USE 3 OR 4 TIMES

AND IF YOU LIVE ON A LAKE

WELL, YOU HAVE GOT IT MADE!

BUT, TO CARRY A BUCKET OF WATER

YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE

I TOOK MY BOTTLES OF WATER & COFFEE

POURED THEM IN MY POT

THANK GOODNESS FOR MY GAS STOVE

IT GETS HOT RIGHT ON THE SPOT!

HAD MY COFFEE

WHOOPS—TIME TO PEE

OH, I NEED TO GO OUTSIDE & FIND A TREE

TOO FAR TO CARRY THAT BUCKET

AFTER COFFEE I KNOW WHAT’S COMING

#2—I SHOULD BE SO LUCKY!

IF YOU LIVE IN THE COUNTRY

AND HAVE EMERGENCIES LIKE THESE

THERE IS ONE THING I KNOW

YOU NEED A LAKE AND A GAS STOVE!

Diane Harpole

12/16/2020

Blueprint Cafe Great Food

Blueprint Cafe

May 2021 I went to the Blueprint Cafe, 369 Raymond Blvd., Newark, NJ in the East Ferry area of Newark, New Jersey.  There were several people there having breakfast. Usually when I notice a crowd of people, then I know this is going to be a good place to eat. 

When you walk up to the restaurant you will notice the outdoor sitting with tables made of rock and rocks lying on the tables with metal chairs around the tables.   There are white and blue vertically striped curtains hanging in front of some of the windows.  I would have loved to have sat outside but unfortunately this time of year has been a little cold. 

As you go into the restaurant you will notice a big print on the wall.  The print says, “Blue Print Cafe”, and has a picture of a blueprint on the wall.  In front of the wall there are wooden tables with metal chairs around them.  On each table you will have a small bouquet of flowers.  There is a sitting area to the left as you walk in the door with a small table and nice comfortable chairs.  As you look forward toward the counter you can see the kitchen where the food is being prepped.  And it looks very clean which is always a good thing. There is a variety of baked goods located at the counter you can choose from.  Once you get to the counter the host will ask if it is a to go order or if you would like to be seated.

The Food

The food there is delicious.  I went there for several days.  The first time I went I had scrambled eggs and skillet potatoes. The eggs were good, while the potatoes were seasoned and really good.  There is a lot of food to choose from, and each dish will be sure to fill you up. I enjoyed a cup of Americano coffee while having such a good breakfast.   

The next time I went there I had Nana pancakes and this is one of the most delicious breakfast meals I have ever had.  The pancakes are buttermilk pancakes with bananas in them.  You can actually see the bananas in the pancakes. The pancakes have powdered sugar and walnuts on top.  Just describing this I could eat some Nana’s pancakes right now.  My son read about the Nana pancakes and asked me to take him there so he can try these delicious pancakes.  

The Stuffed French Toast is another favorite of mine.  The Stuffed French Toast has mascarpone and a berry compote on top.  The french toast has thick pieces of bread and is absolutely delicious.  Many people do not know what mascarpone is so I will try to explain for those that do not know.  Mascarpone cheese is made from heavy cream and some type of acidic fruit like oranges or lemons.  This dish has an orange flavor. 

Another thing I would like to add.  The restaurant has clean bathrooms.  I always look at the restaurant restrooms when I go into a place. 

  Blueprint is a great place for families to get together.  The staff is friendly and I was always greeted with a smile when I would walk in the restaurant. The restaurant is good for the industry on East Ferry and a great location for the workers who work in the industrial area along the Passaic River to grab a bite to eat. The restaurant is good for husbands and wives to meet at lunch break to have a good meal or even someone who you might be dating if you want to grab a bite to eat.  

So if you visit Newark, New Jersey in the East Ferry area go by and visit the Blueprint Cafe.  The food is great.