Yesterday, Susan, Mary Ann Van O., and I went on the Ocean County Van Tour, their "historic homes south" excursion. The rain came down in sheets and torrents the entire day, but that wasn't going to stop us.
We were first taken to what had been a tavern in the early 18th century, 'way, 'way out in the pine barrens, down a dirt road that had originally been a stage coach road. The rain made it interesting, to say the least, for the van driver to navigate, as there were deep ruts and puddles most of the way. It's occupied, so we didn't go in, but looked pretty much like an unpainted shack.
We then drove to Manahawkin and spent an hour at a small, thoughtlessly "improved" house called "Cavalry Cottage" that hasn't been lived in since 1985. It was built in 1740, and most of the time, swarms with historians, according to the tour guide. They're trying to remove the various additions and multitude of other changes to get it back to its original condition. Very interesting, although cold and we had to be careful not to fall in the large holes in the floor, as it's a work in progress. (We went upstairs and found a dead bat, which elicited squeals from a few, but what the hell, it was thoroughly dead, so wasn't going to hurt anybody.)
We stopped at a newly opened salad place, got coffee and ate our lunches, then went to Island Heights, a part of Toms River I had never seen before. Hey, Nelly, it's a gorgeous place! We stopped to observe the architecture of one huge house after another while our tour guide (very knowledgeble and well-spoken) pointed out their various features. We didn't go in to these, as they were all private homes. Most were early Victorian, an era which is so varied it's divided into periods itself. The Philadelphia Wanamakers' house was included--very large and elegant--and almost all were right on the picturesque Toms (no apostophe) River.
We were also taken to more modest, but charming, homes, that had been built as summer cottages for the Methodists who came here from up north to have religious revivals. These had originally been small, two-story cottages, only one room wide, but most had been added to and/or modified in other ways.
Our last stop was the Victorian Museum, where we spent about an hour and were given a tour. The house was set up as it would have been in the 1800s and, being a sucker for anything like this, I loved it.
Got home about 3:30 and had time to clean up the kitchen, set the table, and put in a wash before Pat got home from the bay. I was sorry to hear Old George is back in the hospital, this time at SOCH in Manahawkin. He developed hiccups and now must have surgery for--a hernia? Boy, I just don't remember, but maybe we can visit him soon.
This morning, I'm going to Atlantic Imaging for my annual Mammogram and bone density test.

Thanks to Alison, our family was enhanced five years ago by a gift beyond measure: our son-in-law, Mike. That sweet guy had yesterday off and spent 5 hours of it down here working on this infuriating computer.
He said it doesn't have a virus, as Don throught, but is the victim of "system clutter," along with "hiccups" that prevent, for instance, the spell check on this blog from working. Also, in Outlook Express, Comcast just arbitrarily switched the standard of "25" to "597"--for their own Machavellian purposes, I guess--and I had to resort to Comcast's own. That's what caused my Outlook Express to first, stop receiving messages, then stop sending. Anyway, he took care of that, but there are some other problems and he wants to bring the machine (yes, that's all it is, a machine, and it isn't really looking out at me and taking notes, I fervently hope) up to his house because it needs more extensive doctoring. I can live with the other stuff for now, because it's just annoying, rather than crucial. One is that the thing refuses to "remember" me, so I have to sign in with I.D. and password each time I open e-mail or write in this blog. That's not too big a deal.
All this, of course, is a very simplified version of what MIke discovered; I'm simply parroting a few pieces of his remarks, and out of context, too. I find it very hard to follow and understand the workings of the computer. Guess I'm more the dreamy romantic than the analytical type (oh, what a surprise!).
Mike is a programmer analyst for N.J., so doesn't do this for a living, but he's very, very bright and knowledgeable. He has a whole "doctor kit" of disks that he runs for various problems, and he knows all the inner workings as throughly as I do my BP level.* He has built several computers entirely by himself, including the ones at his and Alison's home. (One reason for the addition is the fact that their second bedroom is his office cum workshop cum command center, and so on.)
Anyway, for all this, he just got lunch.
* Which, incidentally, was 110/76 yesterday. Took Pat to the endocrinologist later in the day and asked the nurse to do me when she did him (tee-hee).

There were about 40 people at Aunt Claire's funeral. Just a few other relatives were there: cousins Charlie Renz and Joe Byrne and their wives; Tom and Helen with their, son, Tom; cousin John and me. Sonya Driscoll and her son came, of course. Sonya is the daughter of the man for whom Uncle Frank worked as a farmer and handyman so long ago, and she's been a good friend to them ever since. Sonya, who still lives in the big house on that farm in Plymouth Meeting, lost her husband to a heart condition a few years ago. Ironically, he was a cardiologist.
There were three choices for lunch and I had the salmon. That's the third day in a row I had salmon, but so what? I like it a lot and, while this wasn't as good as Alison's, it was pretty tasty.
After lunch, Tom, Helen, John, and I (along with a few Spratts, Aunt C.'s nieces and nephews), went back to the assisted living facility to remove some of what was left. I took another of Uncle Frank's paintings, and a few other things. Although my SIL, Mike, had lent me his roof rack, nobody thought it was a good idea to try to transport the bureau I wanted on the roof. Luckily, the maintenance director came along and said he'd store it until I could come for it. I'm going to ask Joel if he can take me there with his van and get it.
Didn't get home until almost 5:00 and boy, I was ready to just relax. I was getting Pat's dinner when Patrick called to wish him happy birthday. Pat said Natsue came on and said, "Happy Birthday," which she's been practicing for some time. Sweet girl.
I called Mary Ann Van O. and asked if she'd like to take Barb's place on the "Historic Homes Van Ride" we signed up for tomorrow. She was delighted, and will come with Susan and me.
I have a lot of energy, but last night, I was tired. I slept like a log, but before I did, I thought of Aunt Claire. She lived for 97 years and although she had suffered some real tragedies, she had always risen above them. From all accounts and from what I remember, her years at Artman were happy ones. She participated fully in activities until just a short time ago and didn't seem to dwell in the past.
Aunt Claire was laid out in a pretty pink suit and she looked very nice. What brought several people close to tears--including me--was the pin in her lapel. Judy, the daughter she had lost, had given it to her when she was a little girl. It read, "Mother."
What a bitch life is sometimes.

Early in the day, Susan and Walter came over to borrow four of our kitchen chairs for the party. Brother Larry called, then Betty did. I got Pat's present wrapped and put a few Valentine gifts for Joely in a gift bag, then dressed to go to the Women's Club meeting.
Stayed for part of the Tricky Tray event, but had to leave early to get Pat and go up to Alison's.
We had great fun at Pat's birthday dinner. There was just us, A. and Mike, and the Phillips Four. Loved seeing the things they've done to the addition: The newly-stained chairs look great (table is being done at the company and is still to come) and they've added some wonderful framed pictures-- mostly outdoor subjects taken by Mike.
We had a ball watching Little Tristan ("T") crawl all over the place, looking just like a wind-up toy as he scooted around. He grabs everything within reach and of course, it immediately goes into his mouth. When he was in his walker, he spied my (bright red) pocketbook on a chair and managed to pull it down and chew on the strap. We just let him do it; I'm sure it felt good on his budding teeth. He shared the floor with Lulu, who has the unlovely habit of licking T's face. I kept pushing him away, but T didn't seem to mind. At six months, T pulls himself up and even stands alone.
I brought Pat's cake and we let Joely put the candles on. Alison gave him some "ever lit" joke ones, which revive after they've seemingly been blown out. Well, these were really persistant and they burned down so low they started to melt some of the icing. Alison ran to get a glass of water and she and both Joels finally got them off, but burnt some fingers in the process. We all thought that was hysterical and everybody loved the cake.
I ate everything, including salmon, chicken, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and carrots, and several slices of delectable freshly-made Italian bread. It wasn't the same as Aunt Maggie's, of course (that would transport you to heaven in one butter-smeared slice), but it was close; Mike makes it with a bread machine. Of course, I topped it off with cake and ice cream--one meal isn't going to put all the weight back on.
Ellen called while we were eating and Mike when we got home, which was about 7:45. E. also sent a gift card and Mike said his present is coming soon. I could see Susan's party was still going on when we got in, but I decided not to go over because I was afraid if I didn't get to bed, I'd oversleep today.

Susan had to go up north yesterday, so couldn't walk; I went with the boys, instead. It's funny that I know exactly when The Platters will start "Only You" (right at Mary Ann Van O.'s driveway), and when good old Nat will gift me with "A Blossom Fell" (after I make the turn onto Windstar Drive). Guess I'm consistent with gait--not to mention CDs.
Ran up to Manahawkin to get Pat's present and the gift for the Woman's Club "Tricky Tray." Got him a heavy, zippered cardigan sweater and picked up a gift card for the TT. Stopped at Tucker Tom's for produce and got home in time to make Pat's lunch.
I then baked his birthday cake. Left it to cool. then went to Acme. Got some things, then took my BP, which was 127/79; pulse rate 71.
If I say it myself, the cake smelled divine when I came back in--chocolate and, when finished, it comes out very similar to the mocha cake my mother used to make so often. However, I could never find a recipe just like hers, so I approximate it with a plain chocolate cake and mocha icing. I had bought hamburger and quickly mixed it with egg and bread crumbs to make meatballs, browned them, and gave Pat spaghetti; I had salmon and sweet potatoes, along with a salad.
Iced the cake and wrapped the Tricky Tray item (a gift card from Kohl's). Susan called and asked if she could come over to bring me something. What a great friend and neighbor: She came to bring me a lovely bunch of daffodills, still slightly curled. When I leaned down, they spoke to me and said, "Spring!"
Alison called and asked if Mike could come Tuesday morning instead of last night and that was fine with me. Ray e-mailed that Barb is still in the hospital; now they think it's a kidney infection.
Even for me, it was a busy day--and very enjoyable. Tonight, we're looking forward to Pat's birthday party at Alison's; can't wait to see the Phillips Four.

Skipped my walk and drove up to Ambler at 8 am to meet my cousins. Received a call from Betty on the way and pulled over for a few minutes to talk, but got to Aunt Claire's assisted living apartment a little after 10. Tom, his wife, Helen, and John were already there.
Aunt C.'s niece and nephew had removed some things, and partly bagged others, so the place was in disarray. It seems Aunt C. never threw away a checkbook, bill, bank statement, or anything else related to finance. Her nephew is an accountant, so he was going to take care of contacting "the trust" and so on. Lots of other stuff was strewed around, so it was pretty depressing.
Helen asked if I wanted anything. I had always liked a certain highboy, but was told the S. relatives had decided to take it, so I asked for a different one. Now I'm not so sure I want it--wouldn't you know. It looks pretty old, and isn't in perfect condition, so may need some work. I took the drawers, but couldn't get the body of it in my car; will have to figure out how to get it from Ambler before the place needs to be vacated.
Tom asked if I wanted the small television and I decided to take that, too. I don't want one in our bedroom, but the day may come when Pat needs to be in there, and we might as well get it now. Will store it until that time comes.
We all went to lunch after, along with neighbors of Tom and Helen. Had a wonderful fresh tuna nicoise salad, and brought half home.
Called Alison to ask if they could get the bureau with their pickup truck, only to be reminded they had sold it 4 years ago. It occurred to me that they have a roof rack and I think I'll ask if I can borrow it. I could get the bureau after the funeral and the luncheon if somebody will help me tie it on. The complication (there's always a complication, it seems) is that Pat has a dermatologist appointment at 4:30 and I'll have to get back by 4:00 to get him there; not sure if I can make it.
Alison and Mike are supposed to come down this evening so Mike can look at my computer. Otherwise, I can get the rack when we're up there tomorrow for Pat's birthday party...
Oops--Pat's birthday party! I must get him a present, and said I'd bake a cake. I'll make chocolate with mocha icing, but am low on cocoa and confectioner's sugar, so will have to run out to the store after I get his breakfast. Yoicks, everything comes at once.

Got the news today that Aunt Claire has died. I had made arrangements to go up to see her a last time today, and I'm still going to go. Will see cousins Tom and John while I'm there.
In my other life in Ewing (my "middle" life when we lived on Lower Ferry Road and I worked at Rider), I visited Uncle Frank, Aunt Claire, and Judy fairly often. After Judy died and Uncle F. and Aunt C. moved to Ambler, I saw them every few months. Uncle Frank died a few years ago, and now Aunt Claire. She was the last of our throngs of aunts and uncles on both the Byrne and Figenshu sides and her passing has turned me melancholy and reflective. Can it really be true that a day will come when I'm no longer in the world? I've always warred against this idea and I have great difficulty in accepting it. Guess that's human nature or else I'm even more of an egomaniac than I thought.
Okay, let's get out of this philosophizing and back into my so-called life. Had a web cam call from the Singapore contingent and loved seeing precious Vivian. However, there's something wrong with Skype (Alison's Mike will look into it) and we had to switch to the phone. I recited the greeting in Japanese for DIL Paula, who sent it to me phonically so I can welcome new Tokyo DIL in August. P. corrected some of my pronunciations amid great guffaws from Mike.
Pat finished the radiation yesterday--yay!--however, when we went back out to the car, the battery was dead. (I had left the lights on, that's why.) Sat there for about 20 minutes before somebody from Security came and jumped us.
Uh, let me rephrase that...