New roof

Just as our Victoria Day weekend friends were pulling out of our driveway last Monday, the roofers arrived. After getting 30 years out of a 20-year roof, we figured it was time. We had had a few leaks around our skylights. All but one of the roofing estimates we got noted that we must replace the skylights. The catch: the size needed for exact replacement is not made anymore. We decided to go with the one roofer who said our skylights are fine. In less than three days several teams of guys rotated through to get the job done.

Don worked from home on the first day and got some photos. One team shoveled the tile off the roof. Another gathered the debris in tarps and got it ready for another team who whipped in and carted it away. And a few crazy installers ran up and down our steep, way-too-high-for-me roof, working a section at a time to completion. Quite an efficient process!

We are away this Memorial Day weekend and with lots of rain at home, we were anxious to hear how the roof was holding up. Bryan, who is home Toby sitting, reported no leaks. Yah!

Crossing guard Don

Don volunteered to help out with a local fundraiser called Brake the Hunger Cycle. He was put on crossing guard duty and the local newspaper snapped this photo of him. He looks pretty good at it! Sign him up!

Victoria Day Weekend 2013

Don and I celebrated the Canadian long weekend with guests from the north, including Nancy & Mac from Toronto, Sue & Ron from Ottawa, and fellow NJ local Canadians Linda & Craig.

The weekend started with food and drink and lots of laughs.

Don & Nancy, Sens fan Ron modelling what not to wear in Ottawa, Craig & I, Sue & Nancy, Linda & Mac
looking at Nancy's creative book filled with photos from our Italy trip Sep 2012.

Staying with tradition, the weekend is never complete without a trip to the Outlet Mall, and once again, we made it worth our while! Between the four of us (Nancy, Sue, Ron & I) we did a lot of good damage in many stores. As you know, when the going gets tough, the tough go shopping. This grueling day was followed by a delicious dinner at The Smoke Rise Inn.

The next day was our NYC day. Unfortunately mother nature wasn't quite with the program dealing out a day of steady, but warm, rain. We traveled in by PATH train, being serenaded along the way by a group of talented men singing a few doo-wop classics. First on the itinerary was a visit to the 911 Memorial at the foot of the new Freedom Tower. A somber experience around an incredible memorial.

Ron, Sue, Nancy, Mac, Don

Beautiful and sad

This was followed by a walk to the Brooklyn Bridge entrance where we met Craig & Linda again, then trekked across the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River to Dumbo (Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass) where we found a great restaurant for lunch and to drip partially dry in.

9 Old Fulton Restaurant, Dumbo in Brooklyn

Then back to Manhattan via the Manhattan bridge, learning the reason that no one talks about crossing the Manhattan bridge - the subway passes right beside the walkway rendering you deaf every 5 minutes or so as it passes. A walk through Chinatown, west on Houston and through Washington Square up to Union Square (again, while its pouring rain) earned us another break for refreshments. From there we hopped back on the path where this time we were entertained (?) by PDA activity.

Tired, wet, and, of course, thirsty, we arrived home where we enjoyed our final, fun night together.

Helicopter delay

About six months ago along the windy route that I used to take to work, a large area was cleared, leveled, gravel was spread, and fences of hay bales erected. The purpose was a mystery to everyone. It turns out that it is a staging area for building and dismantling huge hydro towers. The towers lie in parts in these giant holding areas and then a helicopter transports the pieces to the location where they are assembled and stand for however long these things last.

Every time the helicopter appears to do its work, traffic is stopped both ways. It is a minor inconvenience because we get to watch this cool feat of helicopter skill. And some of us grab our cameras:

Coming in to the staging area

Rising after picking up a load

And off it goes with whatever to wherever. 

Bryan's birthday

Yesterday was Bryan's birthday. His first birthday living out of the house, not including the last 4 years of college. We met him in Manhattan for lunch, then drove back to his place in Brooklyn where I took a few photos. Unfortunately I didn't take any at lunch or the previous evening when we met Bryan at the Prudential Center in Newark for the Devils/Leafs game, where, by the way, the Leafs won. Carolyn came home from PSU on Friday night for the weekend so was there for all events.

As well, Don's cousin Ted, and his wife, Barb, drove down from Hamilton, Ontario for the hockey game, an overnight visit with us, and are now taking in the sights and sounds of NYC.

My ''raison d'etres" in Bryan's room.

Bryan's home: outside the apt door, newly refaced facade, checking out the backyard.

View of NYC, looking across the East R., about 2 blocks from Bryan's apt.

We are proud of him and his independence but love to see him whenever we can. Happy 23rd Bry!

St. Patrick's day

Palm Beach Shores has an annual St Patrick's Day parade consisting of town residents, a few local businesses, lots of mummers with amazing costumes, TWO pipe bands, and lots of enthusiasm! Pretty impressive for a very small town. 

 

My cousin and her husband volunteer each year to run the 50/50 sales table. The funds help to defray the cost of the parade and supports other local events. They also sell green bling and other festive items. I hung out with them this year.

After the parade, our table was moved to a nearby pool bar where the town enjoyed music, food and drink, and could win prizes from the 50/50 tickets. The big money draw was at 5pm when the winner received over $1000 - pretty good! But it wasn't me - drat.

The weather was perfect and I met a lot of nice people. Don was in NJ this weekend, having just arrived home from a week in Las Vegas for meetings and a trade show, or so he says ... What happens in Vegas ...

Link to local photographer's pictures of the parade.

The Four Arts

A magical place in Palm Beach is The Four Arts. A place that has all things interesting. I drove in, spur of the moment, on Monday to see the current art exhibit from the Beaverbrook Art Gallery in New Brunswick. It was great - not too huge to be "snoreous" - just right. Saw four Group of Seven paintings that were beautiful, a few from Dali and others that were beautiful. The Group of Seven paintings included Lauren Harris, A.Y. Jackson, Tom Thomson, and the honorary member (the 8th), Emily Carr. Loved it.

Then I walked through the gardens, which were tranquil, fragrant and artistic, with sculptures throughout. It was a perfect afternoon.

I took this photo in the Japanese garden. Note the lizard  sunbathing on the statue!
I just liked how they fit.