A Stitch in Time saves Nine - Nine What?

When I started to write today's blog I decided to use the old saying a stitch in time saves nine and then I realized that I didn't have the foggiest idea what then meant.  Nine what and how do you stitch time.  So I did what anyone would do - I googled.

If you say it slightly different it makes a tad more sense - one stitch in the nick of time will save you nine stitches later. It is an incentive to not be lazy.  If you have a small rip - stitch is now, if not it will lead to more work later.

Whew, now that I got that out of the way let me tell you about my new hobbies, which I learned at the CATASAUQUA PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Crocheting and knitting.  Yes, and I learned it at the public library.  The Catasauqua Public Library is not the old dreary library that you might remember from your youth.  Although I didn't mind it so much when I was a kid, I loved to read and the place was full of new adventures, love stories and information.

The library has a new head librarian who has been implementing new programs and activities, like our group called Keep Me in Stitches.  I never thought that I would get the opportunity to learn crocheting or knitting and now I can do both.

The best part though of the whole time together, which is Monday nights at 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM is the friendship.  It is the quickest hour and one-half in my life.  Sitting, talking and learning is so much fun.

Last week as I sat there working on a scarf for my mom (don't tell her) I listened to all kinds of talk. Some of it was just Catty gossip, there were stories, the who is seeing who and a little history all thrown in to the mix.  I stopped and said that I felt like this was a book I once read. Women sitting around talking, knitting and crocheting, I am thinking  the next thing to do would be to solve a mystery, or be involved in a love story or maybe a little magic.

Yes, the library is a great place and in case you haven't been there for a long time they now have computers, internet, a children's room, story time and even visits from everyone including Snow White to wildlife.

So if you find yourself in the vicinity of Third and Bridge Streets in Catasauqua, stop in and check out the library.  If you do it on a Monday evening chances are you will find me at a table knitting a sweater, or knot (pun intended); and that's another day in Catasauqua.

  

It wasn't just Another Day in Catasauqua

I went for coffee this morning at WAWA in Whitehall - usually you go in and come back out and that's about it, this morning it reminded me the coffee shop that use to be in Catty.  Everyone was talking about the storm.  One person mentioned Coplay, another said - you should see Catty.  I was at work in Allentown when it all happened.  We had some heavy rain, but nothing like at home.  Parke called during the storm - he had heard glass crashing he went up to the third floor found one window smashed.  The hail started pelting the roof, he said the noise was deafening.  We have a cat that lives on the third floor affectionately called, Cat.  Cat virtually has no contact with us normally but she and Parke both stood there looking at the ceiling like, what the heck is going on.

Pine Street Bridge

I left work early - there were reports of street closures and a tree on the Pine Street Bridge - yes on the bridge.  I have been on that bridge in a storm and it is scary.  There are trees on each side and the tree tops bend over the top of the bridge in high winds.   I came home via Race Street - turned on to 14th and when I got the Sheckler School I was in awe - the trees in front of the school were all split in half - looked like they were literally ripped apart.  Going farther on 14th it looked like a Tree Bomb when off - leveling and breaking trees.  Crazy.  I turned onto Walnut Street only to find it closed.   Tried Bridge Court next - closed.  I went back out to Race Street and crossed my fingers and went up to Wood Street - clear - woo hoo - went up to Howertown Road to my house.  Oh my,  trees, leaves and people everywhere.  The PPL truck was parked at my house.

My 3rd Floor windows

Damage to my house consists of many window panes broken in my attic, my tomato garden looks like it was flattened and leaves everywhere.  Not bad, it could been worse and it was all over our town, Whitehall and Coplay.  It is weird turning on the Eyewitness News and hearing them mention Coplay and the size of the hail. The hail in Coplay was 1.75 inches in diameter. Wow.

The best video of the storm on Facebook is that of Ben Ferenchak - who was crazy enough to be out on his porch and taking video of the storm.  If you can check it out - please do.

Walnut Street - the reason I couldn't go home this way

This just in from Catasauqua - The Catasauqua Park was hit pretty bad during the storm yesterday. Officials are asking that you stay out of the Park for safety reasons until further notice. Also, the Pool will be closed and Park activities will be suspended until further notice.

I saw video of the park last night on facebook - lots of trees down - some on the playground equipment, some on the different courts, the one basketball court was covered with trees.

I am sure we will be cleaning this mess up for a while.  I know tonight I will be cleaning up my lawn.  Last night we had tickets for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs, since we did not have electricity we decided to go to the game, even if it was just to eat and get a free t-shirt.  Turned out to be a good game so we did not get back home until 10:00 PM. I would say that only about half the people attended - our whole section was missing people.  I think a lot of people just stayed home.  

On my way to work this morning it was sad to see how many trees had to be cut down or how many huges branches were down just in my few blocks. I guess you will have this in a "Tree City" town.   It seems like we might of had more damage this time than we did with Hurricane Sandi or a least comparable.  This was quick, Hurricane Sandi was a whole long night.  Hurricane Sandi was wide spread - this was locked into Coplay, Whitehall and Catasauqua.  The Airport reported winds of 65 miles an hour.  

I haven't heard that anyone was hurt, just property, I think that is a good thing.  All in all it was a day to remember.  I am sure we will be talking about this storm for quite a while.  

Let's hope we don't have ..........Another Day in Catasauqua....like this one for a long, long time.