Kevin’s with Kelly at Children’s Hospital tonight. Not a huge deal, Kellykid’s been struggling with his IBD and we needed hospital-grade meds. Vegas has set the over-under on a release date at Tuesday afternoon, and we’re taking the “under.” As always, we’re grateful to have Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia nearby when we need it.
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These are my feet, in my mom’s basement, on Saturday, Nov.3. If you look to the left of my left foot, you’ll see water coming up from the carpet padding, which I’ve pulled back. This is the back end of her basement, which apparently is the lowest point in the room, because it had the most water.
The water arrived Monday night or early Tuesday from Hurricane Sandy, which arrived on the Jersey Shore Monday, Oc. 29, and made life hell for everybody.
- My mom lost power and her basement flooded for the second time in two years, despite a considerable amount invested in shoring up the basement, including a backup sump pump. Power came back Saturday, while Virginia and I were visiting and helping to do some cleanup. It was a happy, happy moment.
- We lost power as well, around 10 pm Monday. By Tuesday morning, we had 8-12 inches of water in the basement—again despite two sumps, each with a battery-powered backup unit. They lasted about 4 hours, but the power was out for 12 hours (which, all things considered, was a huge blessing. It’s wonderful to have an electric company exec or two living in your neighborhood). Thankfully, the water didn’t take out our freezer or heater/blower unit in the basement, and our water heater, which had its pilot doused, started up again after some help from Tom O’Connor, the husband of Virginia’s boss Julie. I pulled up the carpet Thursday. It needed to go anyway, we’re telling ourselves.
- My sister Sue was without power until Thursday. My mom slept over Sue’s Friday night.
- My brother Chris and his family lost power till Sunday. They live the closest to the water, in the Atlantic Highlands, but have some elevation and are protected to an extent from winds by the highest point on the Eastern Seaboard. They are active in their church, which has members throughout the bayside and riverside communities along the northern end of the Jersey Shore, and many of those folks lost much of what they owned—home, clothes, vehicles, you name it—and Chris spent a couple days helping to pull every last bit of wallboard out of at least one home.
Anyway, Virginia made a lasagna and apple pie that we brought along when we visited and, once the power came on, everybody came over and we had a little celebration. With all the hardship and anxiety of the week, it was special to be together.
In other news:
- Kelly has been suffering with the beginnings of a flare; he’s on steroids and we’re hoping to head it off before it turns into an event requiring a hospital stay
- Pete lost his wallet at school. Thankfully, he doesn’t keep much in his wallet. Now, if he lost his iPhone …
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Virginia and I made our first stop at Jim Thorpe, Pa., in about 10 years to hike and bike.
The biking came first. It was cloudy and chilly—and riding 5 miles upriver next to the Lehigh River convinced Virginia that there is indeed a grade along the river. Coming back, the clouds started to break and it did indeed feel downhill all the way.
Next we hiked up to a waterfall—Glen Onoko Falls perhaps? It took about 90 minutes or so, the falls were very pretty, and you could actually walk behind them.
We wanted to stop in Jim Thorpe for a late lunch but it was super-crowded and no way to just stop. So we ended up in a biker bar, The Riverwalk. Fun times.
The trip was also the final public appearance for Kevin’s nascent beard. Alas …
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We took a walk through the Evansburg State Park with Kelly’s friend Mike last weekend. Our plan is to hike through Yosemite next summer, so Virginia says it’s time to start practicing.
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Kevin’s mom Maureen hosted her annual Sunday dinner at Sirena’s in Long Branch. The weather is usually spectacular, but this time it was gray and rainy—and that was a good thing. The restaurant was much less crowded than recent years and it was much more relaxed.
Everybody had a good time, and it was sweet to have both Hannah and Pete there from college.
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We got together with the Shaffers, Alexanders and Barlows Sunday to watch the Eagles-Cardinals game. We gave up on the game (a hideous Eagles loss) at halftime and enjoyed the Shaffers’ gorgeous new backyard patio, which is “shelled,” as it were, by acorn-crazed squirrels. When the sun went down, the squirrels went to bed and the night was beautiful if cool. The wine and beer served as antifreeze then. Fun night with friends. -
My Sports Writing class, SW500, at the Newhouse School of Syracuse University, recently read and was moved by The Courage of Jill Costello, by Chris Ballard, of Sports Illustrated. I tweeted it out and heard from the author himself, SI_ChrisBallard, with a thanks for the mention. Since we were in contact now, I felt permissioned to ask him the class’ biggest question from the story: Had Ballard met Ms. Costello? Our guess was no, that he had weaved together this very detailed, emotional story from those who knew and loved her. The answer’s below.
Many thanks to Chris for being so gracious and accessible, and for telling a moving story so well. Stylistically, it reminded me of a Gary Smith article, and I have no higher compliment for a sports story.
Finally, chalk up another example that the world is a very small place.
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We visited Peter at Bloomsburg, with grandma and Kelly along for parents weekend. We tailgated with Pete’s friends and parents, many from our town. Strange to travel two hours to see the people you run in to at the supermarket.
Pete’s having a good time and apparently is off to a strong start academically. He’ll need to stay acquainted with his textbooks—he has 16 credits.
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My sister Sue had us all over to her place in Tinton Falls, NJ, to celebrate Justin’s 17th birthday.
There was a threat of scary weather in the air, and a stiff breeze blowing outside, but inside all was good.
Justin turned 17 today (Sept. 9). He’s a senior in high school and thinking about what comes next for him—he’s sorting out his college options, both magical (California!!!) and realistic (not so far away).
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<!--
-->The New Jersey-based Curths joined us over Chris’ house for a Labor Day picnic on Sunday. It rained a bit more than we’d have liked, but not enough to drive us inside, and the food remained warm, the beer cold, the conversation lively, and Richie survived taking on all the kids in the pool in a massive water-gun fight.
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… is just a watermelon.
During our very fun weekend at the DeGeorges’ place in (or near) the Poconos, Mark brought along a 36-pound watermelon. Most folks would just eat it. But we were, most assuredly, not “most folks.” So we started exercising with it.
We got together with the Shaf
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