Crunch Time

Quick Post:
On the morning of Saturday October 21, 2017, I was congratulating myself at getting our of the house early and was on my way to a used book sale when....

The resulting damage to my vehicle

I was only a few minutes from home, traveling the same route I use to get to/from work every day. The light was green for me as I approached the intersection (heading east). As I glanced to the left, I saw a silver car traveling very fast (accelerating), like it was trying to beat the light (which had long since turned). Instantly, I knew a collision was inevitable.  I cut the steering wheel to the right in hopes that we might miss. Alas, ....

Lynn and Richard live a few blocks away and she arrived quickly after I called her. She urged my to go to the hospital to get checked out to be on the safe side. No obvious injuries but I had banged my left side (including my head) upon impact. Airbags did not activate (which, surprisingly, everyone said was a blessing).

So much to be thankful for: several people came over to assist and comfort me as well as the other car. Someone called the police, who arrived soon after the 2nd call. A man attempted to direct traffic away from the debris in the road. The police, EMTs, and hospital staff were courteous and professional. Of course, certain aspects could've gone better; but on the other hand, I'm still here to tell the tale.

Lynn and Richard followed me to the hospital, stayed with me, and took me back home. Later, they called to see if I needed anything and dropped off a few items I requested. Also, one of my neighbors gave me her phone number in case I needed anything (concussion is on everyone's mind).

The other car.

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Written Sunday 22 October 2017

Arts & Letters at Cedar Hill

Tombstone of poet and insurance executive Wallace Stevens.
(Photo courtesy of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation FB).

This was my fourth Cedar Hill Walk/Tour of the 2017 season. The tour leader, Debbie Alter, took us to the graves of 11 artists, actors, and authors:

• Nicholas Hudson Holt (actor, d1979)
• William Gedney Bunce (artist ,d1916)
• Charles Dudley Warner (writer, news editor, author, d1900)
• William Glackens (artist-painter, d1938)[Husband of Edith Dimock]
• Edith Dimock (artist-watercolor painter, d1955)[wife of William Glackens]
• Dorothy Ulrich Troubetzkoy (writer, poet, d2003)

Hepburn Family marker
(Courtesy of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation web site)

• Katharine Hepburn (actress, d2003)
• Robert Ames (actor, d1931)
• Fern Andra (actress, d1974) [no marker]

Fern Andra
(Courtesy of Cedar Hill Cemetery FB)

• Wallace Stevens (poet, d1955)
• Frances Laughlin Wadsworth (artist-sculpturer, d1978).

The weather was excellent: warm and sunny. Good group of about ~20 people,. The walk lasted about 75 minutes.

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Links:
https://www.facebook.com/cedarhillcemeteryfoundation/
https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7192409
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/william-gedney-bunce/
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/william-glackens/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edith_Dimock
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/dorothy-ulrich-troubetzkoy/
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/katharine-houghton-hepburn/
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/robert-ames/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fern_Andra
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/notable-residents/wallace-stevens/
https://connecticuthistory.org/frances-laughlin-wadsworth-sculpting-the-past/
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Written Saturday 10 June 2017

CT Trails Day-Tree Walk at Cedar Hill

It turned out to be a beautiful morning for checking out the variety of trees.

Today was Connecticut Trails Day, part of National Trails Day. Like last year, Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation sponsored a Tree Walk at Cedar Hill Cemetery.

Like last year, UCONN arborist John Kehoe lead the walk. The weather started out very gray and cool with threatening clouds approaching from the north. In spite of the weather, the crowd at the start was very large (~50 people). 

Of course, when we got far enough from the cars, the rain started. At first the drops were sporadic but the downpour grew steadily until it could no longer be ignored. We gathered under a large tree and pondered about continuing.

I walked back to the cars with a woman from my church who lives near the cemetery. Once I saw her off, I got my umbrella and drove my car looking for the group. I joined them under the tree where I had left them. There was still a sizable number remaining. And a few minutes later, the rain stopped, the clouds lifted and blue sky and sunshine appeared. So we moved on and had a great tour.

Tour leader John Kehoe points out finer aspects of a tree.
Can you see me in the back row, at the left, behind the lady in blue writing on her map
(Photo courtesy of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation FB)

This photo provides a good perspective on the size of the group.
(Photo courtesy of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation FB)

Talking to the trees. I like this picture because you can see me at the left
(in blue cap, sweat shirt, and khaki shorts).
(Photo courtesy of Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation FB)

The map you see some folks holding in the pictures is a nice self-guided tour for the trees.

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Links:

http://nationaltrailsday.americanhiking.org/
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2016/06/tree-tour-at-cedar-hill.html

http://cedarhillfoundation.org/

http://www.cedarhillcemetery.org/
https://www.facebook.com/cedarhillcemeteryfoundation/
http://cedarhillfoundation.org/visit-cedar-hill/self-guided-tours/
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Written Saturday 10 June 2017