Ramblin' RET

Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Happy Anniversary

Nine (9) years ago, I began this blog. A birth. Something new for me. My first post was titled "birthing". I was inspired by the blogs written by my nephew and niece. So here I am, a stubborn and (apparently) foolish soul. They have abandoned their blogs and perhaps moved on...to [evil] FB (?).

So far I have written 436 posts over those years. I have dozens more that I intended to write but never got around to doing them. It is a challenge to keep going when your biggest fan is the apathy of others, especially those whom you hold dear. If you can't count on them, then who can you depend on? No one apparently. Eventually, one comes to realize that there is at least the satisfaction of creation. "He saw all that He had made and it was very good."

This blog was intended for others (family), to communicate and bridge the miles. But now no one seems to care about anyone but themselves. They can't be bothered. The attitude is "whatever floats your boat" (i.e., "I don't care about you."). Now it's more important to pose on [evil] FB and gain "friends" and "followers." No time or inclination for son, brother, cousin, uncle, nephew.

Christmas Eve seemed (then) like an appropriate moment to start a new journey. And so the trek continues. After all, tomorrow is another day.

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Links:
http://ricketwrite.blogspot.com/2010/12/birthing.html
https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/tomorrow+is+another+day
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Written Wednesday 25 December 2019.

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

The New Runaway Home

Cover of my copy of The New Runaway Home (1954 Edition).
Illustrations by Gustaf Tenggren.

A few years ago, I thought it might be fun to buy an RV and travel cross country to see the sights when I retire. The New Runaway Home (The Alice and Jerry Books) by Elizabeth Coatsworth gave me a sense of what that might be like.

The book is about the Harding family's adventures as they travel from Maine to Tacoma, Washington. Father is a portrait painter but business has not been great lately, Fortunately, his Uncle John invites them to join him on his apple farm in Tacoma since they will eventually inherit it anyway. So they sell their house, buy a small house trailer and hit the road to Washington state. Many adventures along the way.

Mother reads Uncle John's letter
to Mark, Father, Lucy, & Persia

The Harding family consists of Father (Jim), Mother, Mark (17), Jim (aka Bumble), and Lucy and her cat Persia. The story begins in March and ends on Christmas day (i.e., 10 months).

I found this book at a used book sale recently. It wasn't on my list and I didn't know anything about it but I was attracted by the illustrated cover and similar illustrations throughout the book as well as black & white pictures. The book was illustrated by Gustaf Tenggren who is known for his work with Disney and Little Golden Books (e.g., The Poky Little Puppy). Originally from Sweden, Gustaf immigrated to the US when he was 24 and joined his sister in Cleveland.

The book was originally published in 1942 as The Runaway Home. My copy is a 1954 edition now titled, The New Runaway Home. Apparently, the book is intended for 6th graders (Sixth Reader). It is 384 pages including a Glossary and a work list consisting of 1,059 words that were not in previous books of the series.

Persia the cat is rescued from a hawk.

The Hardings adventures include New York City, the Outer Banks (NC), New Orleans, Ozarks, Denver, Sante Fe (NM), Inscription Rock (NM), a dude ranch (AZ), see the swallows of San Juan Capistrano, a stunt double in a movie, wildfire in California, Lucy almost dies on a beach in CA, and end up in Washington in time for Christmas dinner with Uncle John.

Merry Christmas Uncle John. We made it.

I really enjoy these children's books because they are easy, with wonderful illustrations, and pretty good stories too. Relaxing and enjoyable. Would love to take a trip like this someday.

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Links:

http://www.gustaftenggren.com/tenggren/default.asp

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_and_Jerry

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Coatsworth

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gustaf_Tenggren
https://www.scenicusa.net/081606.html
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Written Saturday 21 December 2019.

Monday, December 16, 2019

Bethlehem...again

Me in front of the little Post Office in Bethlehem-after sending my Xmas cards.

Originally, I had planned to go to Bethlehem on Saturday 12-14 but didn't make it because I was still wrestling to produce my end-of-year letter to go with my cards. My backup plan was to go on Tuesday 12-17 because I had scheduled that day off for court (however, that day was now freed since the case was reportedly settled). At the last minute, I decided to take a half day off and go today because the weather forecast for Tuesday is freezing rain & sleet (and treacherous travel conditions). It's about a 40 mile drive each way (combination highway and back roads).

Last year, my son Richard accompanied me but he's away this year so I went solo. I had 40 cards to cachet and mail this year. This year's cachet is #85. Only one color ink: green (I don't know why-will have to ask sometime. Perhaps the alternative-red- would look like blood.).

Cachet #85. Note "2019" above the windows of the engine.

Most of my cards I used one or two different cachets but on a few others, I filled the back with several. There was a steady stream of people that came in to stamp their cards too. Many are like me and travel miles in order to get the Bethlehem postmark and cachet(s).

Since it was late in the afternoon when I finished, and since it is on the way home, and since it is something of a tradition, I stopped at G's Burgers for a late lunch. This year I had a hot dog with sweet potato fries and a soda. Cost a little under $10 (and that was for a combo). It was okay-the hot dog was overly lathered with condiments but I did enjoy the fries.

I am thankful to have a Bethlehem that is within driving distance and grateful that I could take time off from work to do this. What a blessing. Merry Christmas!

Postscript: I am stunned, shocked, and saddened (and MAD). I mailed these cards on Monday December 16th. My card was delivered to my apartment on Wednesday the 18th with a Hartford postmark instead of Bethlehem! What in the world is going on? There is no point in traveling to Bethlehem and end up without a Bethlehem postmark at Christmas. Nothing is scared anymore.

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