Last Full Day In Jersey

Walked 3.2 miles in the morning in blustery weather, but I had several layers on and it was sunny, so not uncomfortable. Went to CVS, then had a delicious Caesar salad dinner, with butternut squash on the side. Watched an indy movie called The Last Photograph. It was pretty insipid, but not too bad and I actually stayed for the end. (The star and director, Danny Huston, looks remarkably like our former next-door neighbor in Ewing, Morris S.) 

I leave this afternoon, taking off from Philly at 4:30.  I guess it goes without saying I had a wonderful time. Will I miss Jersey? Some things, especially family, but not the bone-chilling cold, that's a cinch. 

Speaking of cold, here I am on the Lambertville/New Hope, so Jersey/Pennsy bridge the other day. I'm sure nobody else ever thought about taking a picture like this--HA!

Sunday

Nice day--my second to last one here. Walked 3.2 in the morning. Later, just kind of vegetated and sat reading one of the books I acquired from a wayside giver. What does that mean? I guess I forgot to record that on Sunday, I had stopped to see some chairs that were being given away in front of a nice house in New Egypt. I chatted with the woman who lived there and she insisted I take some books: "my favorites!" They're co-written by Preston and Child and I'll keep three or four. I'm now reading their Cemetery Dance, which I liked at the beginning (murder of a NYTimes reporter), but now it's getting into voodoo, which I find boring. 

Left for Bordentown at 4:00 or so. Had a good ham dinner and lots of good talk and laughs. Back around 7:00, bed at 9:00 and--happy day--I slept well.

 Note to self: Enrolled in automatic payment to Cricket ($30 mo. two days before end of months) via Mastercard ending in  1311.

Saturday

Took off for Lambertville shortly after lunch.  After a side trip to Ewing where I took a pic of our old house on Lower Ferry, we arrived about 1:00. Took the river walk first--out two miles, then two back. 

What an excellent place to walk! It's a broad (cinder or something) path bounded on one side by the  Delaware River and the other by the canal which was in use before the Revolutionary War. It's lined with towering trees, but you can still see and hear the rushing waters. 

That's not to say it was comfy. Although the sun shone and the sky was a heavenly blue, it was cold. Very cold. And windy. Cold and windy. However, I had three layers on top and four on the bottom, plus a close-fitting wool hat, warm scarf, and two pair of gloves. 

After Lambertville it was over the bridge to New Hope. Walked a bit around town, but it was filled with tourists perusing the not particularly attractive gift shops, so after a mile or so, it was back over to God's country. Ate lunch in the car, then drove to Trader Joe's in Princeton after a very enjoyable excursion.

The Day After...*

Celebrants had lucked out with Thanksgiving: though fairly chilly, it was wonderfully full of blue skies and sunshine. Yesterday, though, it got cold and windy--not pleasant at all.  Went to the supermarket after breakfast, then spent the rest of the day indoors. Called Denise at the County Clerk's office and straightened out the minor dilemma re the deed to my house.  

Because I'm still mulling over whether to sell that house or not, I spent time looking up sales in Sunrise Bay. There are still only two and they seemed well-priced (for my purposes, that is, not from a buyer point of view).  Well, I won't decide whether to sell or not until my tenants are about to leave in the summer.

Finished reading Johnathan Keller's Killer, which I found, as I do most of his, easy to read and easy to forget.  

*Okay, that's enough of "The Day (whatever )" nonsense.

The Day Of...

Went to Smithville early on, not the touristy one in Atlantic County, but in Burlington. I had never been here before and was intrigued; I hope to take the tour sometime. If I'm not mistaken, it was some kind of foundry. A number of interesting old buildings remain, plus employees' homes and a lovely old mansion and garden.  

A wonderful Thanksgiving dinner served at 3:00 with the turkey about the most tender and flavorful I ever had. Brussel sprouts, butternut squash, corn casserole, cranberry relish, white and sweet potatoes, and especially stuffing, just delicious. Pies included pumpkin, pecan, and berry, plus a big tub of fresh (and of course, whipped real heavy cream--only savages would serve the bought kind on Thanksgiving). Appetizers were served before and coffee after, as well as a choice of (soft) cider, flavored Selzer water, Coke, beer, and red and white wine. 

Anyway, yummy,  yummy, and much fun!  😄 

The Day Before...

Did some dusting and polishing early on, then went for a morning walk (3.2). It was really cold, but at least not terribly windy, so bearable. 

I tried to log on to the CVS OTC benefit  site for Blue Shield and wasn't able to get in. Called and was told they were "having problems" with sign-ins. Damn, this has happened before and it's annoying. Will try dealing with it after I get home. Same with getting refunded my over-payments to American Airlines for baggage and seat selection for the two cancelled flights. 

Amazon Japan is a lot more responsive than CVS: I easily ordered a Christmas gift (the game we played the other day, Qwirkle) for son, DIL, and grandson. Since they live in Tokyo and it comes from there, the bonus is that shipping is free.*

Lots more prep going on for Turkey Day (today!), then went to Heritage Restaurant, the one I had taken Dennis and Leslie to. I wasn't terribly hungry, so just had a bowl of chili--not spicy and very good--that came with wonderful chips. I had never had that kind before and they were delicious; I took some home and actually want to call the place to see where to get them. Took a shower after and got ready for today.

* For me, it's idiocy to pay Amazon $12.99 a month for shipping; that's $155.88 a year and what I order doesn't total that much. I know lots do order that and more (Ellen for one), but others are agreeing to get ripped off.  

Tuesday

Busy and enjoyable day. I spent the earlier part on a few phone financial chores--boring, so I won't elaborate. Left for Bordentown about 3:00 and had a delicious dinner. Niece Carolyn called during the board game afterwards, and we had a nice chat. Betty was there and talked a bit on speaker, but without much sense, of course. Villa Altmar, where Betty lives, will have a traditional Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow, so that's good. What's even better is that Carolyn, family, and her brother, Steve and his family, will all go up to Big Bear, for the holiday. Sounds like a great idea!  Got back to Whiting after 8:00 and watched some YouTube on the T.V. then turned in and slept soundly.