One of the best presents ever

Sometimes the smallest present can become one of the best presents ever.  Such as, the dough scraper.  Yes the handy and might dough scraper was given to me as a gift from my cousin Sandy.  She was working at Ace Hardware when they got them in and she immediately bought me one and one for herself. 

On Saturday I made one roll out recipe that I have from an Aunt of Annette's.  It's a good cookie, but sometimes it can be challenging to roll out.  This is where the dough scraper comes in handy.  From scooping up the cookie to putting it on the tray to cleaning off the board when dough gets stuck-- it is a super gadget.

In the picture you see both my grandmother's rolling pin and her bread board, as she called it, which I roll out my dough on.  It's funny, when I was small I thought both objects where huge. Time has made them smaller.

Making cookies is a long family tradition.  One that my cousin Sandy and I kept going.  I remember the one time, she brought tons of cookie sheets and we rolled and stacked and roll and stacked and then baked, we practically looked professional. Ah the good times.  This year we almost lost her, and as I rolled out the cookies and scraped the dough I thought constantly of her.  It is funny how something so small can hold so many memories.

Here is wishing you many merry memories this holiday season. 

and that's another day in Catasauqua.

The Stare Down in Catty

I started telling this story to Parke and he said "Why don't you blog this story, you haven't been blogging?"  What a good idea, that's why I keep him around.

Anyway, the story starts this morning early AM.  I was  going to breakfast with a bunch of bff's from church and I wanted to quickly walk the dog.  We were doing good until Petey started a staring match with a certain large gentleman across the street.

I have learned a lot about dog behavior from Petey's Obedience Classes at Chaar.  Dogs will stare especially at each other.  The first dog that moves determines the type of behavior.  Example, the dog on the one side of where I live came forward with a low growl, she was showing aggression and they started a barking match.  On the other hand last weekend a new dog was visiting on the other side of where I live.  His name was Harley and he was a large 7 month old.  They did the stare down, but Harley went bouncing up the yard which showed playful behavior.  Harley really tired out Petey last week, he ended up napping all night.

But this morning's stare down wasn't friendly, the man didn't move, he just keep staring, and Petey started with a low growl, warning the man to look away, but the man didn't, so Petey started barking, which started me laughing, because you see, the man was blow up Santa.  Yes, Petey was barking at blow up Santa and I couldn't get him to stop.  I had to tell him "leave it"  which is the command to walk away but he was sure that this man meant trouble.  I had my hand over it mouth the one time, but he kept trying to bark. It was muffled by my glove and he cheeks would puff out in effort to make a sound.  I had to pull him for about a half a block until we were away from the Jolly Elf.

Oh poor Santa, I better make sure I have Petey is in his cage Christmas Eve.  I shudder to think what might happen if Santa bent over him to say Merry Christmas.

Oh my, and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Tis' the Season

There was the laughter of children, some shrieks, screams and the occasional crying child with a father saying "that's it we're going home."  What can incite all these different responses?  Well, Santa of course, especially when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by firetruck for the annual lighting of the North Catasauqua Christmas Tree. 

I almost didn't go this year.  Most of the bff's I go with are sick and I didn't feel like going by myself even though I was going to be singing with "We Sing" North Catasauqua's Community Choir.  So I called one of my other bff's Shirley and went up with her.  Let's face it, I really go for the free hot chocolate and cookies, but the atmosphere is great.  I don't know where all the people come from. 

One of the highlights are all the Gingerbread Houses that you can judge, my personal favorite was the one the marshmallow wall. 

All in all it is a great way to start the Chrismas Season.  There is something about standing out on a really cold night singing Christmas Caroles and watching Santa light up the tree that warms the heart.

So, You better watch out, you better not cry, better not pout, I'm telling you why....that's Another day in Catasauqua 

I'm Back!!!

Hi everyone.  I guess you might of wondered what happened to me.  After the passing of our beloved dog, Digger, I could't find the inspiration to write.  THEN we decided to adopt a dog from the Lehigh County Humane Society.  We adopted Petey and he is more work than I remembered a dog ever being.  He is also more work than having a baby.  Between Vet visits, Obedience School and training I haven't found the time to think, let alone write.  Besides whenever I tried to get on the computer he was sitting right by me being a pain in the you know what.  Usually chewing something to get my attention.  He is a little better now.  More settled and only seems needy 23 hours a day now.

This is what I see when trying to write

 Mind you, his 60 pound plus body is sitting on my lap while I am trying to type.

So what do I owe the inspiration to blog again to.  Well, a lady sitting out on the curb.  No, she wasn't begging, she wasn't hurt - she was painting our fire hydrant on the corner with a picture.  A while ago I featured a blog on all the painted hydrants in Catasauqua.  The project is called "Catasauqua Hydrants, Revitalization through Art".  You can read that blog here:  http://dayincatasauqua.blogspot.com/2011/07/catasauqua-hydrants-that-are-work-of.html

There it is - my house!!! How cool!

Anyway - the real exciting news about this picture on this hydrant is that IT IS MY HOUSE.  It is an inspired work of art featuring the first four houses on the block.  WOWSERS, my house has been immortalized; and you can bet that I won't be letting Petey pee on this fire hydrant. 

I am excited to be back.  There has been much I haven't written about.  The mural in Catty is done, we have had a lot of events and even about Petey.  So I will try to write a little more often.  Time to open my eyes and ears to Catty again. 

I better go - Petey is acting suspicious - I better see what kind of trouble he is in.

So watch out, you never know where me and my little dog will show up.....and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Chilling in the backyard with Oakley

It's been a little over a month since our dog Digger passed away and it has been more than a little lonely without him.  Parke and I find ourselves getting all misty eyed at the most smallest things.  Like having left over french fries at the restaurant, first instinct is to get a doggy bag because Digger would of loved them.  Eating supper and being full and having no one to give the end of the meatball sandwich to.  Silly stuff, I know but it was part of everyday life.   But one thing that I haven't done this past month is sit out in the backyard.  That's because there is no Digger to pest me. Digger either wanted his headed patted or his butt scratched so sitting out on the back porch and not being bothered was to sad to handle.  Until today.

Today after we got done cutting the grass, Oakley, the neighbors cat, decided to visit.  I decided to join him in the backyard with the newspaper, I knew I wouldn't be alone.  There was something comforting about reading the paper with a cat under the chair.  He then decided to sit on the chair next to me, I wanted to get a picture of this, but when I moved, he followed.  After I sat down again, he joined me again.  He even walked up and down the yard with me, I guess he is kinda like a dog.  Maybe Oakley just knows what I needed today, a pet underfoot, someone to pat on the head, and obviously someone to guard the newspaper so no one can read it.  That's what cat's do best. 

Thanks Oakley, for being a friend, and that's another day in Catasauqua

A Night at the Islands

Well, maybe not the islands, but definitely a special night in North Catasauqua.  I wrote about this last year, and it bears repeating, The Caribbean Steel Rhythms are great!

The Caribbean Steel Rhythms, formally known as the Valley Steel Drum Ensemble, first came together in 2007 at Christ United Methodist Church in Easton.

The group is made up of players from the Caribbean and the Lehigh Valley. They are the only known steel drum band in the area, bringing a unique musical sound to the region.

This is the 2nd time I have heard them play at the North Catasauqua Playground, and if it is possible, they were better than last year.  They played everything from reggae to pop, Christmas music to oldies.  The BF's Shirley, Beckah and I were singing along to "I can't help falling in Love" and "My Girl".  There was huge crowd tonight, another friend, Carol,  told me that someone said 600 people were in attendance tonight.   I can believe it, the crowd was so large I had to text BF Nancy just to find her!

Kudo's to the North Catasauqua Playground Committee for making it such a great night, with free popcorn, ice tea and some spicy Caribbean Jerk Chicken.  And thank you for my glow in the dark necklace!  North Catasauqua does a great job when it comes to providing free entertainment and refreshments and even setting the mood with some tiki torches.

And now, dedicated to the lady who was sitting in front of me, who could not remember the name of this song by Abba:

 Can you hear the drums Fernando?
I remember long ago another starry night like this
In the firelight Fernando
You were humming to yourself and softly strumming your guitar
I could hear the distant drums
And sounds of ...........another day in Catasauqua!

Saying Goodbye to a Our Best Friend

I was on vacation for the last three day's with some of my bff's at Hershey, PA.  We went to see Joyce Meyer along with shopping and chocolate.  It was a very spirit filled three days and I was very uplifted.   But today, when I got home I went out in the yard to greet Digger, our dog.  Digger is usually happy to see me after I have been gone for awhile.  Heck he was even happy to see me if I went out the back door and came to the front.  You would think I was gone for weeks.  But today was different.  You see, Digger was born with a congenital hip problem, he had no ball and socket joint at his hips, which we did not find out about until 3 years ago.  When the vet told me, I couldn't believe it.  Since I have had Digger all he has ever done was run.  He ran grooves into the back yard.  He was King of the back yard watching over the neighborhood and barking at strangers and just about everything else.  .

We had Digger since he was 9 months old, we got him in September of 2000 so Parke figured we would call him the millennium dog and celebrate his birthday every News Year Eve.  Every year we would yell Happy New Years and then Happy Birthday Digger and he would run circles around the house.

Winters were steadily getting harder for Digger.  We would have to make an annual visit for pain medications  and about 3 years ago I started walking him every day so I could monitor his hips.  Every morning once around the block.  Digger loved other dogs, we would stop to see several of them sometimes.  His buddy Bandit down the street would wait for us every day at the fence.

A few weeks ago Digger started to stumble and fall.  At first I thought he was just not watching were he was going.  We found out he was blind in one eye.  But it got worse and we called the vet.   I thought maybe there was something wrong with paws, maybe his nails were too long, but after many tests they told us his hips were worse and there was nothing to do but keep him comfortable.  We  got some pain pills and after a week or two we had to stop walking him around the block, even though every day he would still stand at the door waiting. 

Today when I got home though something was different, I called and he didn't come, he was just sitting, his eyes said to me "Mom, I can't make it right now"  I went out to him and he stood then and made it just barely into the house.  I wanted to believe he was okay but he had really gone down hill in the last three days.  Parke didn't want to tell me while I was away. 

We went food shopping and them when I got home he had not eaten, I changed the food in his dish and called him but he wouldn't step into the kitchen.  Even though we had rugs covering the floorhe would slip out there. So I took his food into the living room.  I watched him and my heart broke, he got his front paws up but drugged his back end over to the food. 

I called Valley Central Emergency Veterinary Hospital in Whitehall.  I told them it was time to say goodbye. They were caring and compassionate.  They explained everything over the phone and I took him right over.

  Digger got up one last time, because I had the leash in my hand.  That dog was determined to go for a walk, but I lifted him into the car.  They came with a gurney to get him out because he would not have been able to walk on their floor.  They took him in the back and took us to a special room. I cried so much I could hardly breath.  I thought I was at Brubakers.  Big wooden chairs and lots of tissues.  They brought Digger in and I took his muzzle off.  He wanted to get up, he kept lifting his head up as we talked to him, and then it was time, and it was quick.  I cried some more while I petted him.  He looked like such a rag-a-muffin, he would not let me brush him these last few weeks. 

But that's not what I am going to remember.  I am going to remember the dog who like to herd things into a circle.  Who liked cats, bunnies and birds, but not opposums.  The dog that, like his name suggests, dug holes all over the yard - even up to last year when I saw my bushes in the backyard leaning to one side because he dug a huge hole behind it.  The dog that was  scared of squeaky toys and thunder.  The dog that would put his head on my shoulder when I was outside trying to read and his paws on my lap when I was trying to watch TV.  The dog that loved toast with peanut butter.  The dog who never let me eat pretzels alone.   The dog that drooled every time he would smell another dog on me.  The dog who use to run and greet me, running circles up and down the yard when I would come home, sliding to a stop and rolling over to pet his belly.  The dog with crazy eyes who would always got so excited about anything and barked at everything.

Yes, I will remember my "world's best dog" and I told him so tonight.   Run with big dogs in heaven sweet Digger, I will see you again.

Hot Hot Hot in Catasauqua

Whew baby it is hot outside, so what's a girl to do.  I decided to clean the basement.  But every so often I take a break and surf around the web.  I though maybe I should blog about the heatwave.  So I was checking some historical heatwaves.   A 1936 heatwave was the most severe heat wave in the modern history of North America.   It took place in the middle of the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s, and caused catastrophic human suffering and an enormous economic toll. You gotta remember that this was before air conditioning.  Some of the records from 1936 still stand today, maybe I shouldn't say this but the the heat wave of 1936 was followed by a winter with record breaking cold temperatures.

There was another record setting heat wave in the area in 1995 and from what I have been reading on line 2012 is turning into another record setting year.

Now, while I was popping around looking for Catasauqua facts I found some interest sites that I did not know existed.  First on Facebook, I found the Catasauqua Emergency Management Agency, which lead me to http://readycatasauqua.tumblr.com which had some great hot weather survival tips on it; and http://www.catasauquaema.org, along with a twitter account are all sites of the Catasauqua Emergency Management Agency.    I guess you can never be too ready. 

You can check out their sites but in the meantime here are some hot weather tips from the CDC - The Center for Disease Control and Prevention

• Drink more fluids (nonalcoholic), regardless of your activity level. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink. Warning: If your doctor generally limits the amount of fluid you drink or has you on water pills, ask him how much you should drink while the weather is hot.
• Don’t drink liquids that contain alcohol or large amounts of sugar–these actually cause you to lose more body fluid. Also, avoid very cold drinks, because they can cause stomach cramps.
• Stay indoors and, if at all possible, stay in an air-conditioned place. If your home does not have air conditioning, go to the shopping mall or public library–even a few hours spent in air conditioning can help your body stay cooler when you go back into the heat. Call your local health department to see if there are any heat-relief shelters in your area.
• Electric fans may provide comfort, but when the temperature is in the high 90s, fans will not prevent heat-related illness. Taking a cool shower or bath, or moving to an air-conditioned place is a much better way to cool off.
• Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing.
• NEVER leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle.
• Although any one at any time can suffer from heat-related illness, some people are at greater risk than others. Check regularly on:
  • Infants and young children
  • People aged 65 or older
  • People who have a mental illness
  • Those who are physically ill, especially with heart disease or high blood pressure
• Visit adults at risk at least twice a day and closely watch them for signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Infants and young children, of course, need much more frequent watching.

If you must be out in the heat:

• Limit your outdoor activity to morning and evening hours.
• Cut down on exercise. If you must exercise, drink two to four glasses of cool, nonalcoholic fluids each hour.  A sports beverage can replace the salt and minerals you lose in sweat. Warning: If you are on a low-salt diet, talk with your doctor before drinking a sports beverage. Remember the warning in the first “tip” (above), too.
• Try to rest often in shady areas.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a wide-brimmed hat (also keeps you cooler) and sunglasses and by putting on sunscreen of SPF 15 or higher (the most effective products say “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” on their labels).

This information provided by NCEH's Health Studies Branch.

Well that's it for now, back to basement for me and remember......BE SAFE - STAY COOL and that's another day in Catasauqua

Happy July 4th!!!!

It's been a great July 4th so far.  It started for me last night at the Iron Pigs game where I got to see Ryan Howard hit a home run, some strongmen and then  fire works.  Since the Pigs hit over 5 runs it also meant that we received coupons for free 6 inch subs at Subway which are our lunch today.

This morning my bff,  Cathy,  and I headed to the George Taylor home for the reading of the Declaration of Independence.   The Declaration of Independence was a statement adopted by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, which announced that the thirteen American Colonies, then at war with Great Britain, regarded themselves as independent states, and no longer a part of the British Empire.  It was read by Daniel K. McCarthy, an Attorney at Davison & McCarthy.  Mr. McCarthy has practiced law in the Lehigh Valley for over 35 years and he is a member of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners.

The Declaration of Independence is interesting reading - after hearing parts of it this morning (3 yup 3 airplanes went over during the reading) I decided to read it on line.

We know the most famous part of it - the 2nd sentence -

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."  which has become a major statement of human rights.  But it then goes on to a list of grievances against King George III.  It calls him, "A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people."

The Declaration ends as follows:

"We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

Here is some July 4th Trivia -

• Betsy Ross, according to legend, sewed the first American flag in May or June 1776, as commissioned by the Congressional Committee.
• Independence Day was first celebrated in Philadelphia on July 8, 1776.
• The word patriotism comes from the Latin patria which means homeland or fatherland.
• Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams died on Independence Day, July 4, 1826.
• The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence did not sign at the same time, nor did they sign on July 4, 1776. The official event occurred on August 2, 1776, when 50 men signed it.
• The names of the signers of the Declaration of Independence were withheld from the public for more than six months to protect the signers. If independence had not been achieved, the treasonable act of the signers would have, by law, resulted in

 And, of course, one of those signers was George Taylor.

Happy 4th of July Catasauqua, be proud to be an American and show that pride today and every day, and that's another day in Catasauqua

I did it for the Cause - Tattoos to the Rescue

My number was 47.  Number 47 for a Tattoo at Hard Core Ink located at 517 Front Street in Catasauqua.  A couple weeks ago I saw in the Catty Press that Hard Core Ink was doing a Benefit for Peaceable Kingdom and Last Chance Ranch today, July 1 and that they would have dozens of animal inspired tattoos available.  I mentioned it to Parke, but I don't think he believed that I really wanted one.

Parke got his tattoo at Hard Core Ink last year, and he was happy with it, so why not.  What else is there to do on a sweltering hot Sunday in July.  So I headed down around 2 ish, there was a 3 hour wait, but I could go home and they would call.  Johnny did my tattoo which is a heart inside of a paw.

This was not my first tattoo, I have another tattoo which was done at the request of one of my bff's Tammy who got tired of seeing my underwear every time I bent over in choir in the pew in front of her, so I got a tramp stamp of the moon and 7 stars.

Johnny did a great job on the paw print and everyone at Hard Core Ink were very nice and friendly.  I would recommend them to anyone.  It didn't hurt that much, but heck after experiencing labor pains, what really hurts?  

Since most of my pets have been either rescue pets from the shelters or homeless I feel a special place in my heart for places like Peaceable Kingdom.  Our illusive cat, simply called Attic Cat, came from FURR, unfortunately she has to be the most skittish cat I have ever seen.  She lives on the third floor in my craft/spare bedroom/sewing room.  There is a bed, a sofa and  a rocker.  Her and Tipper, our other cat spend alot of time up there even though they have the run of the house.  I only see Attic Cat on her way to the litter box or to eat.   We had tried to no avail to get her to come to us.  Occasionally she will get close, but you can't move, or twitch because she is off in a flash.  I've seen her walk all over Parke though, when he has been napping in his recliner.  Parke thinks she is trying to suck his soul, but I don't think so.

Tipper, Attic Cat and Digger are our fur babies right now, and I love them all.  A big thanks to the places that take care of the unwanted animals, special thanks to the people that adopt them and a big special thanks to Hard Core Ink and other business that support the cause; and that's ....another day in Catasauqua.

What to do this weekend in Catasauqua

I was sitting here playing games on Facebook until my mine went numb and I thought, hey why not blog. I told someone today from Palmerton that I write this blog, but I was running out of things to say.   And even though I don't really have anything to say, that has never stopped me before.

I  thought maybe I would tell you what's coming up this weekend.  I will be volunteering at the North Catasauqua Small Town USA Community Yard Sale and Flea Market presented by the We Sing Chorus on Saturday, June 23 from 8 AM to 2 PM at the North Catasauqua Park.  I was there last year and there was sooooo much stuff to look at.  If you are a yard sailor check it out!  I also see that the Sixth Annual North Catasauqua Small Town USA Golf Tournament will be held Sunday, June 24 at Willowbrook Golf Course.  An 8:30 AM tee time is planned with a shotgun (wow) start, four person scramble competition (whatever that is I have no idea). 

In Catasauqua the band Common Bond (they are really good, I just heard them up at the North Catty Carnival) will be kicking off the Catasauqua Park Summer Concerts this Friday at 7 pm to 9:30 PM, it is free, bring your lawn chairs or sit on the three dips and bring your favorite refreshments (I don't think they mean the blue raspberry vodka that I am drinking while writing this, but hey you never know).

I would like to catch part of this concert and maybe I will, but I have, and I will blog about this later, a Court of Honor for A. J. Renn who will become an Eagle Scout on Saturday afternoon.  Very exciting.

Well you can see that there is a lot to do this weekend in Catasauqua, I hope to see you around, if you see me, say Hi (I really think I need to invest in those "Another day in Catasauqua" t-shirts).

and that is....another day in Catasauqua.

 

 

Intercourse, Blue Ball and Virginville

On Saturday, Parke and I drove to Shillington for my Grandson's birthday party.  On the way we passed Virginville.  I said to Parke, there is your favorite town, he said no, that Intercourse and Blue Ball were his favorite, which caused a discussion on why are the towns named such provocative names, especially since they are in "Amish Country".....so I said to Parke, good subject for a blog, and so here we go.  Most of the information was either found on the Township's websites or in Wikipedia.

1)  Intercourse, PA

Intercourse was founded in 1754. The community was originally named Cross Keys, after a local tavern. Intercourse became the name in 1814. The village website gives several theories for the origins of the name.

"Another theory concerns two famous roads that crossed here. The Old King's highway from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh (now the Old Philadelphia Pike) ran east and west through the center of the town. The road from Wilmington to Erie intersected in the middle. The joining of these two roads is claimed by some to be the basis for the town 'Cross Keys' or eventually 'Intercourse'. A final idea comes from the use of language during the early days of the Village. The word 'intercourse' was commonly used to describe the 'fellowship' and 'social interaction and support' shared in the community of faith, which was much a part of a rural village like this one."

 2) Blue Ball, PA

 The name originates from the Blue Ball Hotel, which stood on the southeast corner of the PA 23-US 322 crossroads. The inn is no longer standing; it was torn down in 1997 after more than 200 years.  In the early 18th century, John Wallace, an Irishman, built a small building at the intersection of two Indian trails - French Creek Path (Route 23) and Paxtang (Route 322). He hung a blue ball out front and called it "The Sign of the Blue Ball." Locals began calling Earl Town Blue Ball, after the inn. So in 1833, Earl Town officially changed its name to Blue Ball. Years later during Prohibition, the inn changed its name to Blue Ball Hotel.

3) Virginville, PA

No one is certain about how Virginville (originally called Virginsville) got its name, but it is the subject of much debate, and is a place where it is tough to hang on to road signs, which are taken regularly by souvenir hunters.   Some say Virginville was named for the untouched beauty of the countryside: others attribute the name to the honor of Comte de Vergennes, a foreign minister to France’s Louis XVI.

4) Bird-In-Hand, PA

The legend of the naming of Bird-in-Hand concerns the time when the Old Philadelphia Pike was surveyed  between Lancaster and Philadelphia. According to legend two road surveyors discussed whether they should stay at their present location or go on to the town of Lancaster. One of them supposedly said, "A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush," which means it is preferable to have a small but certain advantage than the mere potential of a greater one; and so they stayed. By 1734, road surveyors were making McNabb’s hotel their headquarters rather than returning to Lancaster every day. The sign in front of the inn is known to have once "portrayed a man with a bird in his hand and a bush nearby, in which two birds were perched," and was known as the Bird-in-Hand Inn.

Well, there you go, Catasauqua doesn't sound so weird after all does it?  And that's another day in Catasauqua

Singing in North Catasauqua TONIGHT!

Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose, Nothin' don't mean nothin' hon' if it ain't free; and free it was tonight at the North Catasauqua Small Town USA Carnival (besides a $1.50 for a diet pepsi).  Yes people - I was reliving my childhood with bff, Cathy as we listen to The Large Flowerheads at the Carnival tonight.

The North Catasauqua Small Town USA Carnival began today at the North Catasauqua Park located at 701 Grove Street, Carnival opened at 6:00 pm and runs through to Saturday Night.  If you don't believe me go as Alice, when she's ten feet tall.

There's plenty to do, rides and game and great food to eat.  Cathy enjoyed a waffle ice cream sandwich, I think I might stop by tomorrow night and get a taco salad. 

Spent some quality time with with Jaime and Cathy's favorite son-in-law Rami, who is recovering from surgery on his cauliflower ear, get better quick Rami.  I never knew anyone with cauliflower ear before, I always saw it in the cartoons when I was kid.  But then it was like an actual cauliflower on the ear, so I am not sure what it really looks like and they told me not to google any images because it is gross. I didn't but I do have to say, what's new pussycat?

Any way - the entertainment for the rest of the week is as follows:

FREE Entertainment Nightly at the band stand!

Thur. 6/14 from 6:30-9:30pm- The Main Attraction band
Fri. 6/15 from 7:00-10:00pm- Midnight Special country band
Sat. 6/16 from 7:00-10:00pm- Common Bond

I see my red door and I want it painted black, no colors anymore I want them to turn black, but that is neither here nor there was it comes to the carnival.  No, I didn't have any magic mushrooms, but I did have a lot of fun.  So if you are in the area this weekend stop by, and remember I'm not your stepping stone.

Oh, I could hide 'neath the wings of the bluebird as she sings, the six o'clock alarm would never ring.
But it rings and I rise wipe the sleep out of my eyes, the shavin' razor's cold, and it stings

Cheer up, sleepy Jean, oh what can it mean......but another day in Catasauqua

Can you say Poltergeist?

I can't resist this piece of history.  Being a horror movie buff the Townhouses at Haven Ridge in Whitehall are the kind of places that cause me to say "don't go into the basement."  They are beautiful houses, that look well built, but personally I think they are just at a bad location sitting under the Fairview Cemetery.   Plus, I have nothing against the Townhouses which just happen to be named "Haven" Ridge, which coincidentally is the name of one of my favorite shows Haven on the Syfy Channel.  Which is about a town in Haven, Maine that turns out to be a longtime refuge for people that are affected by a range of supernatural afflictions (called the troubles)  based on a story by Stephen King.

I think the townhouses are very nice looking, but I always picture the scene in "Poltergeist" where a body washed up in a hole they are digging for a swimming pool. (Some movie trivia - they used actual human skeletons, which caused concerns on the set about putting a "curse" on the film series)

Now I know you are wondering, what has this to do with Catasauqua, well from the book "Early History and Reminiscences of Catasauqua the author mentions Indian relics.  He says, that very few Indian relics had every been found in and around Catasauqua.  The did, however, find a skull while they were digging for the Lehigh Valley Railroad that was surrounded by boards, pipes and Indian tools.  But here is the best part, "Shortly before his death in 1886, Joseph Miller related to William Glace, Esquire, that he had heard  his Grandfather say that there was an Indian Burial Ground on the lowlands; that the elder Miller, who lived in the old Stone House above the cemetery gates on the road to Hokendauqua, peering through the underbrush at different times, saw parties of Indians bury their dead on the lowlands."  So is the stone house the one located on the other side of the Pine Street Bridge which is located outside of where the gates of Fairview Cemetery once were;  and is Haven Ridge, in fact, located on top of an Indian burial ground?  I don't really know for sure, but if you are living in Haven Ridge and your child or someone is watching the static on your television set and says "They're here"  run and don't look back.

and that's another day in Catasauqua

A corpse in Catty

I haven't delved into the history of Catasauqua for a while, so I decided to surf around on the web.   I came across an e-book that is free called A History of Catasauqua in Lehigh County written in 1914.  As I perused the chapters one was marked "Corpse" so,  I just had to read it.

 1914 Cadillac Hearse, not local, but I didn't know what picture to use

 

It talks about Owen Fredericks who began directing funerals in 1848, it starts out by saying that "In ye good and olden times" loved ones did not understand the art of preparing and laying out a corpse so as to conceal the horror of death.  It goes on further to describe how Mr. Fredericks prepared bodies in those days.  They would put a board between two chairs, cover the board with wet sod and then place the body of the wet sod (grass side up of course) and then cover the body with a sheet.  Later the undertaker bought a metal box 2 feet by 7 feet and 6 inches deep where you could put the body in and pack it with ice.   He upgraded to a metal box which was 24 inches deep where the body would lay in the bottom,  wrapped in a sheet with a tray on top that would be filled with ice and had a lid.   There was a little spout so the water could drain into a bucket.  Catasauqua was introduced to embalming in 1884.

Another interest fact was there were no caretakers for the cemeteries back then.  The pall bearers would also be the grave diggers or grave makers, as they were called.  When a person died, 4 men would be sought out.  These four men would fill a "stuetze" (I can't find a translation of this, you guess is as good as mine) with water or cider and go out to the cemetery and dig the grave.  When they were done they would go to the "house of mourning" where they would have a dinner prepared by the neighbor ladies.  The neighbors also prepared the food for the out of town mourners.   When a prominent person would die several beef roasts, a whole veal calf and 2 to 3 dozen chickens were used as a base for a funeral dinner.  It was said that Frederick Biery introduced this tradition to our area. (He must of had a large appetite)

After the actual funeral the pall bearers, would then put on their overalls and fill in the grave, and then they were released from their duty

In a different book, "Early History and Reminiscences of Catasauqua, Pennsylvania" written by William Glace (also in 1914, must of been a busy year)  described the first funeral in Catasauqua.
 
"FIRST FUNERAL— After the completion of the first furnace, a young man named John Thomas
(a relative of the superintendent) fell from its top and was killed. Samuel Thomas, the
 son of the superintendent, told me a few years prior to his decease, that he saw the young man drop. The body was buried in the grave-yard at the rear of the Presbyterian Church on 5th street, in Allentown. (wow, that was a hike)  It was carried on a bier, on the shoulders of relays of fellow-employees, who wore high hats from which hung long streamers of black crepe, after the custom at that time prevalent in Wales."

There is a lot of interesting reading in these two books and some obscure facts, and you know I love the obscure so look for more from .....Another day in Catasauqua

Is something bugging me?

I was just reading the Catty Press and the headline "New business bugs some, scratches up zoning debate". (great title by the way)  It seems that a new business called....are you ready....Lice Lifters wants to rent space at the Parish house of the Presbyterian Church.   Let me say I have no thoughts on whether they should rent the space or not.  The article said that some residents are primarily concerned with the possibility of a "We remove head Lice" sign located next to a sign that reads "George Taylor Slept Here."  Who knows maybe George was plagued by head lice.

My thoughts went immediately  to many years ago when my son, who was under the age of 10 at the time, was a self-proclaimed lice magnet. It started when he played baseball - kids wore each others hats and of course shared batting helmets, next thing you knew, head lice.  We had many a battle with those tiny bugs.  Rid was always in  our house, just in case.  When the school would announce head lice, we were ready.  At first I was a rookie going in, not checking the bedding, but it didn't take long until I knew what to do.  So when I read this article I thought what does Lice Lifters do?

Well for starters they use the LouseBuster (you know what I want to say don't you...who you gonna call?) "The LouseBuster device provides a revolutionary new way to kill head lice and their eggs without using pesticides or other chemical.  Clinical studies have shown that the device, which uses only controlled heated air, provides a very safe, fast and very effective way to kill all stages of headlice – including lice eggs!"

Now I did some poking around on their website, they have lots of lice facts, but I saw the price - ouch - had these services been around then I would not have been able to afford it -  The triple threat treatment is $175.00 per head (with a 30 minute comb out) and according to the Catty Press the treatment takes an hour and a half.   But then again as a mother and once having the pesty little creatures myself it makes sense to be able to go somewhere for help.  But there is more to do that just getting rid of them on your head, the  bedding, pillows and blankets have to be washed along with hats, scarves and anything else that came in contact with your head.  What a pain in the you know what!

But those days have been long gone for me over twenty years ago since I battled those little foes.  Thanks Catty Press for taking my down another memory lane, of course, this one I could of done without.

Anyone scratching your head yet?

Hey, but that's..... another day in Catasauqua!!

Arbor Day in Catasauqua

The participants in the Arbor Day Program

Catasauqua has been named a Tree City USA Community by the Arbor Day Foundation.  It is the 15th year Catasauqua has received this national recognition.

The Tree City USA Program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service.

It originated in Nebraska City, Nebraska by J. Sterling Morton, who was originally from Michigan and when he moved to Nebraska, missed the trees very much.  The first Arbor Day was held on April 10, 1872, and an estimated one million trees were planted that day.

The families of the honored

I went to the ceremony today mainly to honor the memory of Miriam Laudenslager.  An October Glory Maple was being dedicated in honor of her service to her church and community.  Bob Bastian along with many others did a wonderful ceremony, it was informative and heart warming. There was a proclamation read by  the Mayor and a State Proclamation brought by State Representative, Joseph Brennan.  I didn't get the name of the young gentleman from the Forest Service, but he was a delight.  Those who were honored, besides Miriam where Glen Stine and Frederick T. Muehlberger.    There was a pretty good turn out, which was wonderful to see.  Refreshments provided by the Mayor were delicious, I grabbed a cookie before leaving.

But, there was something missing today, besides Miriam.  That was a scarf, Miriam almost always had a scarf on.  I did a quick run home and dropped one off to Karen, Miriam's daughter.  As I drove away, I saw the bow around Miriam's tree and thought, yup a tree that Miriam would be proud of.

I leave you with this quote from J. Sterling Morton, "The cultivation of flowers and trees is the cultivation of the good, the beautiful, and the ennobling in man, and for one, I wish to see the culture become universal" and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Kudos to Blondie's

Well, you can't write a blog about our town and not mentioned that Catasauqua was mentioned on something other than the news.  Our own Rebecca Zukowski got to say Catasauqua, Pennsylvania on the Food Network show, Cupcake Wars.  There was something surreal watching her and her assistant run out of her Front Street Store in the beginning of the show. 

I have never watched Cupcake Wars before and I probably never will again.  The first round the contestant were given weird combinations to use in the cupcakes, like pork bellies and figs, Salmon and caramel and Blondie's pick, pickles and peanut butter.  She did well with what she was given and made it to the next round.  Sadly though she did not make it to the final round because the judges felt that her cupcakes were not "decorated" enough.  Who eats fondant decorations anyway. 

I say congratulations Rebecca for making it to Cupcake Wars, and no I don't want to try a pickle peanut butter cupcake.  By the way congrats for Michelle, who did win, I am glad she won over the guy, no one should be making cupcakes with pork bellies and liking it.   And that's another day in Catasauqua.

Happy Earth Day Catasauqua

It's raining.....it's pouring......the old man is.....oh never mind, he is watching a baseball game. (Maybe he won't read this blog).  Anyway to get to the point of this blog, HAPPY EARTH DAY.  Earth Day started way back on April 22, 1970.  In the 70's we were really oblivious to environmental concerns.  The war in Vietnam was raging, we were driving gas guzzling cars and we didn't care - gas was leaded and are you ready for this...... sit down......gas was .36 cents a gallon.

The idea of  Earth Day came to Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, after witnessing the ravages of the 1969 massive oil spill in Santa Barbara, California. Inspired by the student anti-war movement, he realized that if he could infuse that energy with an emerging public consciousness about air and water pollution, it would force environmental protection onto the national political agenda. Senator Nelson announced the idea for a “national teach-in on the environment” to the national media; persuaded Pete McCloskey, a conservation-minded Republican Congressman, to serve as his co-chair; and recruited Denis Hayes as national coordinator.

 Earth Day proved popular in the United States and around the world. The first April 22 Earth Day had participants and celebrants in two thousand colleges and universities, roughly ten thousand primary and secondary schools, and hundreds of communities across the United States. More importantly, it "brought 20 million Americans out into the spring sunshine for peaceful demonstrations in favor of environmental reform."


www.earthday.org has an informative site, which list activities happening today, plus what we can to for our earth.  I just took the Footprint quiz and I didn't do to good - it said that if everyone lived like me we would need 4.6 Plant Earths for the resources I use.  Oy.  I guess I better change some of my ways, I am sure Planet Earth will appreciate it, and besides, we have no where else to go.

Also check out  how Google is celebrating  Earth day 2012 with an animated Doodle on its home page.

Well, that's it for now, it's a sleepy rainy Sunday, at least I thought it was, so I went shopping.  OMG what a mistake.  I went over to Target, Christmas Tree shop and Five Below, traffic was crazy.  I guess everyone had the same idea ---instead of snoozing - SHOPPING!  Anyway we really need the rain so let it rain!!!  and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Never try to read the paper with a Cat

As a cat owner, I know that there some things you cannot do in the house.  Things that attract the cat, like running the can opener, opening the refrigerator and don't even think about moving the cat treat box because even if the cat is on the third floor they will hear it.  Moments ago I saw Tipper, my cat, leap over the sleeping dog in a single bound when he saw me reach up to the top of the fridge (that's where the cat treats are).

After dinner I decided to read the newspaper on the front porch.  Can you believe this weather? I am off tomorrow so I have been using this three day weekend to do gardening and houseclean the kitchen.  So I decided to relax and enjoy the weather for a little bit.  As I started to read the newspaper, Oakley, the neighbor's cat came over to my porch.  Oakley has my mom trained to feed him dry food and cat treats.  I endeavored to ignore Oakley.  As I was reading the Comics a paw came over the top of the paper pushing it down.  I said no, no treats Oakley, I am reading the paper. 

Next Oakley jumped up on the arm of the chair, pretending to rub his head on the chair, he then decides to wash my arm with his sand paper tongue.  I still tried to read the paper, and then it happened Oakley sat on top of the paper and I had no choice but to pet him and scratch his ears, when he got off my lap I went in and got him some treats, this is when Tipper leaped over the dog. 

After treats I went back to reading the paper, however whenever I picked up the paper and tried to read it this somehow signaled Oakley to again jump up on my lap.  After several tries I gave up, it was now getting dark and Oakley had finally left and was back over on his porch. 

I will now try to read the paper on the sofa, but I know, as soon as I do, Tipper will come over and sit on top of the paper.  Some things are inevitable in life, and cats not letting you read the newspaper is one of those things.

Enjoy the weather and that's another day in Catasauqua.

A mural in Catty?

I would like this mural outside my back door!

One of my BFF's at work, Barbara just mentioned that there was an article in today's Morning Call about a proposed mural on Front Street.  I was like .....what?

Here is an excerpt from the article:

"Catasauqua plans to beautify the Pine Street gateway to the borough with a large mural.
The painting is one of several improvements planned at the intersection of Pine and Front streets, where many commuting motorists cross the Lehigh River on their way to and from the borough each day.

The old brick facade, next to the Lukoil gas station, contains several bricked in windows. Borough Manager Eugene Goldfeder said borough officials mused that the windows could serve as "windows to the past," featuring elements from Catasauqua's history, such as the George Taylor House and other notable sites. However, such an element is at the discretion of the chosen artist and his or her proposal.
Goldfeder said the goal of the mural is to beautify the gateway to the borough. It would be placed amid a growing commercial stretch (*I thinking that's stretching it a bit)  along Front Street to the Pine Street Bridge and beyond.

The mural is the most obvious improvement of the entire gateway," Goldfeder said.

The work will be funded with a $40,000 matching Community Development Block Grant. Lehigh County is allotting $36,000 and the borough is kicking in $4,000.

Goldfeder said the mural is expected to cost $10,000 to $12,000 with the rest of the funds for such possible items as new streetlights, lighting for the mural, crosswalks, benches or even a bus shelter."

I don't know - a mural really - I am all for new streetlights, crosswalks, benches or even the bus shelter.  How about beautifying the town with flower planters or some nice trash containers?  I am always impressed with Hershey, Pennsylvania when the girls and I go for a Joyce Meyer Convention every year.  That have huge flower planters and hanging flower pots that just brighten up the city. 

Who knows, maybe I will love the mural, I hope so I will pass it every day once the Pine Street Bridge opens again. 

What I think Catty should do to raise some money is sell tickets for the chance to be the first one over the bridge when it reopens - I would pay for the chance to do that.  OH, PINE STREET BRIDGE HOW I MISS YOU.

and that's another day in Catasauqua.

My thoughts on the stabbing in Catasauqua

My friend,  Brenda, contacted me on Facebook about the recent stabbing that took place at the Catasauqua Playground.  She asked "Could the focus of the blog be...returning to our roots, the Old Catty??? mentioning that we need to "step in and stop the madness"?"  Which is a great thought, but in the Old Catty I was roughed up at the Catty Park.  I was somewhere around the age 12 maybe and my cousin Sandy and her friends (do you remember this Sandy!) dared me to call someone "boy crazy".  Calm words in today's society, and stupid me says out loud "Boy Crazy (insert name here)".  That girl had me down on the ground faster than you can say help. I don't remember what happened after that, blocked that out, but you know I never called her that again.

Violence, unfortunately is as old as man himself.  Started way back in the book of Genesis, when Cain killed Abel, that's only four chapters in of the first book of the Bible.  Things have happened at the playground from before me and unfortunately will happen way after me.   I agree with Brenda, we need to "step in and stop the madness?"  But how?  That's the really big question.

My lesson in Sunday School this morning led to a discussion of what happened at the park.  Today's lesson was from the book of Jeremiah, an old Testament Prophet, who was trying to tell the people that God was there for them.  The most powerful verse from the lesson was this:  Jeremiah 31: 33 - This is the covenant (promise) I will make with the people, declares the Lord.  "I will put the law in their minds and write it on their hearts.  I will be their God and they will be my people"    God might be putting the law in our minds but He is also putting His Love in our hearts and this is the most important part.

I have heard from people and read that the boy who intervened and was stabbed was a good boy.  I think he was trying to do the right thing, he had the law and love in his heart.  Doing the right thing doesn't mean that something bad can't happened to you.  He probably saved the life of the 15 year old boy.  I pray and I hope that you pray to that he recovers.  We also need to pray for man, Nathanial Claudio, who was arrested for the stabbing, that he one day opens his heart to the love and not violence.

I have a theory that if every child went to Sunday School when they were young, we would have less people breaking the law.  God becomes our conscience, we learn from Him right and wrong, as well as from our parents.   

I have friends who say they didn't take their children to Sunday School because they want their children to "find God".  How do you find something you never lost.   Our job as adults, parents and teacher is to teach children love.  To help them learn right from wrong.   Yes, let's stop the madness, let's love one another and set a great example for the children of Catasauqua, the future of the world.

and that's .....another day in Catasauqua

BIG DAY TOMORROW!!!

Pastor Mike

Yes, it is a big day tomorrow for a couple of reasons.  First, Pastor Michael Smith, Salem UCC's current Pastor will be Ordained tomorrow in an Ordination Ceremony at Salem.  Salem hasn't hosted an ordination for over 50 years so what a great opportunity for the little church  that could.   I've never talked about the problems that Salem had in the past on this blog, and I never will.  Salem has a bright and shiny future, and what a great way to celebrate. (Special thanks to Pastor Ed and Pastor Bob, we couldn't of done it without you both)

Another big event, not to overshadow Pastor Mike but......tomorrow will be one year that I am writing this blog!!!  YES it is this BLOG'S BIRTHDAY - I would have had a party but I am going to a pretty big one tomorrow already. 

This blog, started out of boredom, feeling a little down, but also feeling that wow, there is a lot of stuff to talk about in a small town and it has been very fulfilling.  I have reconnected with some people.  Had a lot of feedback on the articles and in general -- learned a LOT about Catasauqua's History. 

Yup "Another day in Catasauqua" has been just that...... another day.......another story.......another thought and I have enjoyed them all.   If you have read any of my blogs, thank you. 

Well I gotta go, I was making dinner and started a small fire in the oven by leaving the potholder inside, don't worry -  you know what I always say......that's another day in Catasauqua.

HAPPY SPRING!!!!

The Spring or Vernal Equinox is a celebration of the rebirth of nature and brings with it the symbols of birth/rebirth. It is full of traditional symbols and superstitions.

As part of the vernal equinox ritual, eggs play an important role in the festivities throughout the world. According to folklore, the vernal equinox is the one time of the year that eggs can be stood on end. Earth and nature are said to be in harmony if an egg can be balanced on its end during the equinox, at the very point in time, when day and night are also in balance. (It is said that this is a myth, that once you know how to balance an egg, you can do it any time)

The Vernal Equinox, the first official day of Spring is on or about March 20. It is the point at which the sun crosses the celestial equator from south to north. This signals the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.

The vernal equinox has long been a significant event in the lives of agricultural peoples as it symbolizes nature's regeneration, fertility, growth and bounty. The word equinox comes from Latin and means "equal night". On this day, night and day each last twelve hours.(and that happens daylight savings time or not)

People have recognized the vernal equinox for thousands of years. There is no shortage of rituals and traditions surrounding the coming of spring. Many early peoples celebrated for the basic reason that their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christianity because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It is also probably no coincidence that early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx  so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox.

The first day of spring also marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The celebration lasts 13 days and is rooted in the 3,000-year-old tradition of Zorastrianism .

I know of no spring celebrations here in Catasauqua, maybe we should start some.  I am not sure what it would be, but I am sure we could think of something, in the meantime HAPPY SPRING and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Spring, Bridges and Flowers in Catty

As I was preparing for dinner, I sat on the front porch snapping beans.  It is amazing, has spring truly sprung, or as Parke says when I ask him if he is going to put the snow shovels away, "I am waiting for the big one."

I watched cars go by with the top down.  I saw ants on the pavement.  Bugs are flying around already.  My flowers are gorgeous.  Is mother nature pulling a trick on us, or is the winter that never really happened?

I am loving it.  I hope this is not a precursor to a really hot summer.  Let's not even think about that and just enjoy the beautiful weather in Catasauqua.

Took a walk with Parke after supper and was armed with the camera.  Do you know that on March 27th last year I attempted to get pictures of flowers and I had a hard time, not today.  Hyacinths, Daffodils and even something that looks like tulips are already in bloom.  A few more days and the Magnolia Trees will be in full bloom.  I can't believe it.

AND SPEAKING OF THINGS I CAN'T BELIEVE - the Race Street bridge will have lane restrictions this Monday and Tuesday from 9am to 3pm, for bridge inspection.  What if it doesn't pass, are they going to close it?  Duh, they couldn't do this before they closed the Pine Street Bridge?   I am off on Monday, so I won't have to deal with it, but I work Tuesday and because I work such strange hours it will affect me one way or another.   

When it comes to the Pine Street Bridge closure what bothers me the most is that it is almost time for BASEBALL - mainly Iron Pigs Baseball and I usually go down Race Street to Canal Road to go to Coca Cola Park.  Have you tried that at 5:00 PM yet, omg, you just inch along.  Hate that! 

Well enough whining, have a great evening, get out and enjoy this beautiful weather because it's another day in Catasauqua.