Postcards

It has been a long time since we went on vacation, so we might as well do it right! Tania had a week and a half break between semesters, and it was spring in Paris, so we decided to go. Our first hop was to London, with a long delay from the infamous "ash cloud", and a ride West to Bath in Somerset. We were sure glad to "take the waters" of Bath Spa after a night on the bird! After that, jet-lag was not a problem. Thanks to Tania's cousins, we had a nice tour of Wells too. Here are the pictures.

After our Bath experience, we took the Eurostar to Brussels to visit more cousins! It was a cool ride indeed, just over an hour, just under 300km/hr! Thanks to Luc for driving us all around town and showing us the sights. We will come back soon... here are the pictures.

Then on to the TGV again, which zipped us down to Paris. We were welcomed by our friend Marc who loaned us his apartment and made our stay fantastic! We had a week of great weather, plus the real Parisian experience, while avoiding the crowded museums and drinking champagne every single day. Of course we made many stops at the corner boulangerie and traveled most of the Right Bank. Marc treated us to a gourmet meal in the Tour Eiffel, which we will always remember. We even got to see Gotan Project's Tango 3.0 concert! We are lucky indeed! Here are the pictures.

Snowed-In

Like so many of us who fled the "North", we fully expect the North Carolina winters to be tame. We feel that we deserve consolation for the roasting hot summers, but there are no guarantees with weather! Last week the town was abuzz with news of doom. Snow was coming our way, and we take that seriously here in Raleigh. At least most people do. After work, I went to the gas station for a fill, and witnessed a horn-honking scuffle as panicky people jostled for pump space. I thought if the gas station was this bad, the Kroger should be even more fun!

I barely found a parking spot at 5pm, and I new things were serious. Sure enough the bread isle was ravaged! Apparently, not only is bread critical in an emergency, but the milk and eggs were decimated as well. Perhaps bread hoarding is a left over survival instinct. Maybe it's just a local tradition, since the newscasters joke about it on TV, but the people still scramble for every slice. I took this phone-photo in case you don't believe me. I even posted it on Facebook, since it was "breaking news". Well, apparently I was hungry too, so I returned home and put on some comfort food...

What better way to weather a storm, than with a big batch of ribs! If we are going to be snowed in, we won't go hungry... and the last thing I would want is bagged bread. Was I succumbing to the local hysteria, or just being practical?

Well, the snow did come, and any snow in Raleigh is a disaster. Too deep to drive in, and too few snow plows meant Tania had two "snow days"... just like when she was a  kid. Unfortunately, after 3 days we got some cabin fever, especially since my Hustle team class was cancelled. She worked on the house, and we ate ribs!  And I love any excuse to get out the "big" camera... the f2.8 stabilized lens took these great night shots. You have got to make the best of things, right ?

Here is a shot of Tania's weekend project. We are renovating the up/down hallways and staircase. She has re-finished the oak treads, and is currently tiling the risers. They still need grout, and I'm still working on the lower banister. What do you think?

(All pictures are click-to-enlarge.)

Until next time ...

Change And Renewal

With the New Year comes change and renewal. The cycle this year has been especially acute. Just after new year's day, Uncle Gerald's condition started to worsen. Tania spent her days with him, and he remained comfortable and upbeat despite his struggle. He was with family and friends who saw him to his final day on January 5th. We bid him adieu, and thank Tania for her years of tireless care and generosity towards him. She gave more to him than anyone will ever know.

On New Year's Eve we did what we love most... danced! Wesley Boz had a great charity ball, and there was no better way to ring in the New Year. The crowd was about 200 strong, and we felt like we knew them all. It is hard to believe how many people we have met while dancing. There was a nice mix of Latin, swing, and ballroom... and we can dance them all, at least enough to enjoy them.

The ladies looked Absolutely Fabulous in black! We took lots of pictures, and I have posted a Picasa gallery HERE. There are lots of fun shots, and if you find one of yourself, go ahead and use the links to download a full sized copy.

Tania loves to dress up, and sometimes that even extends to dressing me! So once in a while I let her have her way. And doesn't dressing up mean you are serious about the party?


Yes, things change. Think how crazy you get when you misplace your wallet... the most valuable possession you carry everywhere. Then one day you don't care. The old is gone and the new is in. This year my tattered (and once valued) wallet got replaced by a new one. Like everything else, it too will go through the cycle of change and renewal.

Christmas Travels (Travails?)

This year, Tania and I thought that we better bring uncle Gerald up to Nutley NJ. It was looking like his last Christmas, and our good consciences were working overtime. It is with some trepidation that you plan to transport a man like him (dementia, incontinence, and bottles of oxygen) in East Coast Christmas traffic.

Expectations were set, but things change. It turns out he was too sick to travel after his last unexpected hospital stay, so we decided to do the full trip without him. We were looking forward to seeing our parents, but wary of the driving. We packed Belle in the car and added enough insulation to keep her warm against the Canadian cold! She got pretty stressed watching the suitcases get piled near the door, then she was relieved to come along.

Day one was to be the eight hour drive up to Newark. That didn't go well, and we got stuck in the Mixing Bowl for more than three hours. Belle also had to deal with snow, not something a Southern dog adapts to quickly. Thirteen hours later, we arrived in Nutley. Our quick visit with Tania's aunt included lunch around the corner at Holsten's in Bloomfield NJ (where the final Sopranos episode was shot). We didn't see any gangsters, and loaded up on their famous chocolate.

We then set course for the Great White North and had our share of un-forecast snow. Always a treat in lonely upstate NY. Due to budget cuts, even the rest stops are gone. Four hours of trees and rocks were a big change from Washington and Newark traffic.

... and arriving at the border only to find a huge line up. "No problem", I said, and pulled into the express truck lane. We were through lickity-split! Although, my little time saver seemed to trigger a "random" car search. After five minutes of trying to look through our cram-packed convertible, the wily customs agent gave up and sent us on our way. Score one for me! The dog didn't even get her passport checked!

Christmas time was fun, and we got to stay put for a few days. Our family was well, and glad to see us. It sure was nice to be out of the car. Here is a shot of Tania and myself with my parents. By the way, all pictures here are "click to enlarge", and this post is going to degenerate into a series of photo captions....

Here is my parents house in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. A white Christmas indeed! The snow pile will be there until spring.

Temptation comes in many forms, but fat comes in only one! There was plenty to eat, and you know you can always get your favorite goodies at your mom's house!

Here is some of my mom's pottery (on the left). She has put together a very agreeable retirement home. She had a new knee in September, and she is doing great.

A sculpture by my mom (Rhoda Robb). This one has been in the house for about 35 years.

My dad and I struggling with a stuck turkey... it refused to leave the pan. Dinner was fab, and Tania's mom came along too... one big happy family!

And finally, we return home via an overnight somewhere in PA. Here's a shot of Tania, who always packs lite, using the valet to move a few things back to the car. Next we plan a one week staycation, and some celebrating on New Years eve. Thanks for reading, and Happy Holidays to each and every one of you.

Christmas - The Next Level

Some people always take it to the next level. Around the corner from us, is 8501 Sleepy Creek Drive, and Mr. 8501 has a serious problem with Christmas decorations. For years, he easily had the biggest display in the neighborhood. But then a disruptive force moved into 2216 Abbey Lane, which is more or less across the street. The new nemesis brought with him a large collection of lights and one-upmanship. As you can imagine, each year witnessed an escalation in the Christmas decoration war. Both neighbors employed electricians several times to increase electrical capacity. Each year inevitably featured dozens of new multi-colored flashing spectacles. As the displays grew, they were eventually straining against their lot boundaries.

But competition knows no boundries, and it always had to go to the next level. Once a man's yard is full of lights, and his house is covered too, where do you go to next? Mr. 2216 installed a miniature radio station! The nightly congestion of cars could tune their FM radios to 90.3MHz. Spectators could hear music synchronizing the flashing lights spread across the property and rooftop. It was impressive, and definitely a new level. I think the cars lingered longer at 2216 that year.

Not to be outdone, Mr. 8501 fought back. Next year, his personal nightly appearances in his Santa suit brought it to the next level. He would spend his evenings greeting the line of cars with a happy "ho ho ho". Definitely a nice personal touch. The car windows would open, and he would give out small gifts and candy to the kids. But he could probably hear Mr. 2216's music playing on their car radios.

Then came last year. Mr. 2216 decided to use his entire roof to expand the display. Not just with music co-ordinated lights, but with animatronic movement. Upon the roof, he had Santa in his sleigh pulled by a nine moving reindeer. Rudolf's nose glowed, as he pranced defiantly back and forth. Working at rooftop level may have been risky, but how else do you get to next level?

This year, as always, we wondered, what was the next level?  In the warm days of mid November, Mr. 2216 was busily taking down his elaborate Halloween display.  He is working beside the manger, and his wheelbarrow is piled high with wise-men and assorted animals. I noticed he had a new theme to his display this year... and unfortunately, it looked a little disturbing. Sixteen identical coffin-sized boxes were laid out prominently on the lawn. I thought perhaps a war memorial? Hmmm, I hope this is not the next level.

It's December now, and all has been revealed. Both Mr. 2216 and Mr. 8501 have finished their mega displays. It seems the coffin-like boxes are now wrapped in ribbons and lights... they are gifts under the 15 foot tall flashing tree. I also notice that Mr. 8501's signs advertise his own radio station on 107.7MHz. What's going on here? A conversation with Mr. 8501's wife reveals the truth. It seems 2216 and 8501 have become friends, at the urging of their wives who brokered a recent peace accord. Mr. 2216 even helped  Mr. 8501 setup his own radio station this year. Apparently they have taken it to the next level - cooperation!

Merry Christmas from Glenn and Tania!
      (All pictures are click-to-enlarge)