I guess we got five or six more inches, and I wasn't about to go on our morning walk while it was still sitting there. The guys got it squared away quickly, though, and about 3:00, I put my layers of winter gear on and went over to invite Susan to walk then. She was happy to, so we got our daily mile and a half in after all. There were several places where we had to veer onto the sidewalk (we usually walk in the street) to get around the plows, but that was okay.
Was delighted to get a call from niece, Joan, in Suffern, NY. She and Jim are now snug at home, although it took her several hours to get back when she left work in Manhattan on Thursday. Their t.v., computer, and land line were all out, as they're covered by the same carrier--not Comcast, though. We had a good talk and she then sent me pictures of her and her boy, Jeremy's, dinner with Mike.
Speaking of M., I'm glad I heard from him. He e-mailed to say his plane took off from JFK at 2 am, two hours late, but he arrived back in Singapore with no problem.
Got to the store to pick up tomatoes, broccoli, and a few other staples. The streets aren't bad and I'm glad we escaped the worst. Other then the above, not much happening around here.

More snow and I'm thoroughly sick of it. Susan and I did manage to walk anyway--it was slushy and messy--with boots and umbrellas.
From 2:00 to 4:00, went with Leslie to work the Food Bank, substituting for Barbara D. That's gratifying--being a food lover, I also love the idea of distributing it to hungry people. Considering the weather, we had a fair number of clients--nine or ten coming to this tiny center. When we got home, nice neighbor, Frank, was shoveling the slush off my driveway.
Earlier, I had followed my weird obsession and transferred all my hanging clothes from unmatched hangers to the uniform ones I got at the thrift store. Kooky, but the closet looks so nice and so what if it's a dumb pursuit? As an activity, it beats holding up gas stations.

Spent yesterday on mundane, but necessary, chores. Got my income tax done in the morning and will get a refund. Went to B.J.'s and other stores to stock up. Was amazed at the crowd at Shop-Rite, then realized more snow is predicted. It's here--is snowing lightly now and there's about an inch on the ground. Not sure if I want to walk in it, as it seems slushy and slick. Hope to lunch with high school friend, Mary H., next week. She called the other day and we had a nice chat.
WIDER: Went with Leslie last night to the Peace Vigil in Absecon commemorating the thousandth American killed in Afghanistan. We spent the hour holding signs and candles and were gratified to hear horns honking in support. However, there were only eight there and the sparsity of numbers seems to reflect the disinterest--or indifference--of the peace movement since O. was elected. Somehow, our unholy aggression isn't quite as--well, aggressive--with a democrat in the White House. So many people, staunch liberals all, are "disappointed" in O., but they still believe he's a great improvement over Bush. The fact that he failed, and continues to fail, to fulfill a single one of his campaign promises and that he's presiding over what is clearly the the hugest and most horrific war machine in history doesn't seem to penetrate their consciousness. I've heard a surprising number suggest that he's in the thrall of the evil people around him, seeming not to understand the kind of power the president actually has. Also, what does it say about him and the country if he could be manipulated by others to direct such horrors? Well, it's hard to convince people so thirsty for so long that the sparkling water they're lining up to drink is actually Kool-Aid.
What a contrary people we are!

Sad day attending brother-in-law Bill's funeral, but in a peculiar, quiet way, it was enjoyable, too. Maybe that's the purpose of death ceremonies: To focus our minds on topics we seldom entertain and to make them acceptable, and at the same time, offer a minor note of pleasure.
Or maybe that observation is full of crap.
It rained heavily--inconvenient, but appropriate, it seems to me--and we slogged through it all day. The mass was in the tiny, teeny town of Minatola, deep in the south Jersey pines, and the burial in the veterans cemetery in Estell Manor. I could have had Pat buried from here for minimal cost, and I'm glad I didn't.
After, there was a lovely gathering at the Sugar Hill Inn in Mays Landing. This is an big old house on a lake, nicely decorated Victorian style, and it was so snug and intimate. Pictures of Bill and his gang were placed here and there; I had sent him some of them, including a lovely shot of the three brothers--all gone now, I'm afraid. We had a good time there, finally leaving about 4:30. Didn't get home until almost an hour later, and just had tome to change, then go to rehearsal.
We're now meeting at Barbara H.'s, a huge house about 6 miles down Route 9, equipped, unfortunately, with two big dogs. Rehearsal lasted longer than usual, and I didn't get home until after 10:00.
Getting my income tax done at 9:00 today.
WIDER: Going with Leslie to a peace vigil at 6:00 to mark the one-thousanth American military death in Afghanistan. Significantly--and ominously, it seems to me--this is the first peace demonstration our group has had since O. was elected. A further thought: It bothers me that we commemorate the thousandth American killed in this bloody horror but, as ever, we ignore the other humans who have died at our hands. Hubris, anyone?

Went to the SOCH thrift store in Manahawkin and bought about 50 green hangers. I'm enthralled with the idea of using the same hangers for everything in the closet, making it neat and uniform. Just one of my weird obsessions.
Enjoyed the spaghetti dinner last night with neighbors, the H.'s, the D.'s, and the M.'s. It still feels odd to be single with couples, but guess I'll get used to it eventually. This was to cover the cost of the Fourth of July fireworks. Considering the clearly militaristic component of the fourth--"bombs bursting in air" represented by the fireworks--I'm a bit ambiguous about it, but on the other hand, it does commemorate independence from the U.K. Too bad we don't believe in supporting that independence in other countries--no, no, we always know better and if you don't go along, we'll kill you.

Another nice day with Mike. We went to ScoJo's for breakfast and it was so good, although a lot more than I'm used to eating. After, we drove to Borders and moseyed around--Mike bought a book--for a half hour or so, then to a shoe store, as he wanted to buy dress shoes. No luck there, so we went ot Boscov's, where he picked up a pair of slip-ons. Stopped back home, but decided then to go to the movies. Mike suggested Shutter Island, which I've been wanting to see, and we went there. The verdict was mixed: Although it wasn't one of my favorite DiCaprio's, I liked it, but Mike wasn't crazy about it.
Got out about 4:00 and my dear boy left for Manhattan, as he has an 8:00 meeting this morning. He called me to say he got in okay. "Met with" Ellen on the web cam, then to bed.

Good fun yesterday. In the morning, Mike and I went to the Ventnor Museum and had a great time looking over the artifacts and seeing pictures of people I've known all my life. We chatted for some time with a volunteer who was staffing it. She's a few years younger than I am, but is also a St. James grad. We were pleased that Pat's obituary was included in a book of obits. After, we went down the beach and picked up a few shells. At Mike's suggestion, we then repaired to Atlantic City and went to Resorts Casino. He lost a few bucks, but I won #118.50--yay! Drove back to Ventnor to lunch at Sacco Subs--I had a six-million-calorie sausage with fried peppers and onions--but I'm sure I walked it off when we strolled the block to Jasildy's (?( Candy. Chose a pound and a half of the best chocolates in the universe.
Got home and the other contingent joined us. We all went down the Little Egg beach, Joelly and "T" enthusiastically throwing stones into the water. Home for dinner of pasta, chicken drumsticks in gravy (both of which I had simmering in crock pots most of the day), a green salad and rolls. Such a nice day to spend with my family.
Got an invitation from Frank and Barbara D., asking if I'd like to join them for the Redman's Lodge dinner tomorrow. Accepted with pleasure, of course.