Just me...complaining

I have decided to whine, complain and just get it off my chest.  Social media, while I love it as a way to keep in touch with my family and friends; and as a way to know what is happening locally and in the world, it can really be a pain sometimes.

There is an old wise saying that goes don't talk about religion and politics.  And while I don't see many fights or maybe avoid them on Facebook, I am tired of Obama bashing.  Really people - he has a little over 500 days left in office, aren't you over the fact yet that he was elected President - get over it.   We should be praying for our leaders and our government that has been elected by the us, the people.  So you didn't vote for him - ok - but he is President - respect him.

As far as I know, President Obama is not muslim, not the anti-christ, has not changed the Presidential Seal, does not want to re-write the National Anthem, his wedding right does not say "There is no other God but allah"  and everything else that I have read over the past few years on Facebook.  

Yesterday though, I was a upset by a persons post on the fact that they captured the 21 year old white man who was charged with the murder of nine people at a historic black South Carolina church,  and their response.  People screaming death penalty, and a few other dark things.    But, when I watch the news later that night I saw people coming together, white and black, holding hands and praying.

My first instinct was to pray for the families of those who died, and for the survivors, but we must also pray for the young man.  My first thought is always, I wonder if he went to Sunday School (That's the Sunday school teacher in me).  Mr. Roof listened to the dark voices in his head.   It's times like these that I see the Devil's influence, we can scream mental illness, racism or a dozen other reasons he did this.  But when it comes down to it, it is just pure evil and the only way to fight that is with good.   And God is so good.

The devil rejoiced at the shooting, but then was defeated - this time the masses did not riot, instead they joined hands and prayed.  And God knows, the devil hates that.  (Take note though - there is less media coverage of the prayer vigils that there was of the rioting in Baltimore and Ferguson)

So the next time you post on social media, think first.  Is it really want you want to say.  Is this how you want to identify yourself.

There are currently 16 persons running for President - instead of bashing them let's look at their politics and weigh sensibly who we will vote for.    You never know what people will believe - they might not vote for someone because they read on Facebook that they were born on another planet, and thus, are not eligible to be president of the United States.

Okay - I will let you bash one presidential hopeful - Donald Trump, LOL (you know....the devil made me say that) and with that I get off my soap box... and go back to Facebook to watch funny animal videos, to see what's up with my family and friends.....and that's another day in Catasauqua.

Church in the Park

I am tired. But blissfully tired from a morning of Worship in the Park with Salem UCC, Catasauqua.  God blessed us with great weather two years in a row.  Today was again warm and breezy. Attendance was good the children sang like angels!  All year long we would try to get them to sing and on the Sundays that we were schedule to sing no one showed up or perhaps 2 did.  So today we had a great group and they sang a medley of their greatest hits.  You know, like Jesus Loves Me, This Little Light of Mine and The B I B L E.  Yes it was great to see and hear the children.

The nest with the birdie

I love Pastor Mike's Sermon in the Park. At church I usually just look at him during the sermon but today, I watched birds, and a few squirrels and marveled at the evergreen trees that were to my left.  I still listened to the sermon but there is something about the wind blowing, the sun shining and just seeing the nature around me that makes me feel so close to God.   There was a bird in a nest just to the left of where Pastor Mike was standing and when it popped up it made me smile.  One of God's creatures also taking in the sermon.

I think the birds sang twice as loud when everyone sang, I think they wanted to sing along.

A shout out to everyone who made it possible - bff, Tammy organizes the event but so many hands helped in the setting up and taking down that it went so smoothly.

It's hours later and I am beat - my legs just about want to give up.  But I am still smiling about singing Blessed Assurance, praying and listening to Worship in the Park today.  I hope more people will join us next year.

Oh - and let's not forget the FOOD - omg - really - hot dogs, barbeque, tons of salads, snack and DESSERTS.  Yes Megan I had your delicious peanut butter dessert and it was a little slice of peanut butter heaven.  As we said there is no such thing as too much peanut butter.

And then there was BINGO.  I called Bingo and bff, Cathy played a card for me.  I won a crossword puzzle book.  But you know what, I never got to call the number B4 - I know this because I wanted to say, if God B4 me - who could be against.

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

Lots to do in Catasauqua this weekend!

I just got back from the Iron Works Summer Blast.  It was hot but there was a really good crowd there; which I love seeing at an event it Catasauqua.

 There is a little of everything.  Food, music, beverages, and all kinds of entertainment.  My bff, Cathy and I didn't stay real long, but we saw lots friends and enjoyed a frozen lemonade.  It is exciting to see what Catasauqua might become.  It great to see that they are taking a site and using it the best way possible.  



There was Bike Demos from the Catty Woods bmx bike riders, games for the children, and even a Beer Garden - along with a real garden with a really cool water feature. 




Also, if you think you have what it takes to be a fire fighter, they had Junior Fireman obstacle course you could try out.  (Just a side note - Cathy and I did  not try this course)

There was also an interactived art mural that you can paint your thoughts on.

Besides musical entertainment you could catch the Burning Hearts Fire and Light Theater.

It if gets to hot down at the blast furnace you can head up to the North Catasauqua Park for their last night.  I was up there Thursday night enjoying the music of  the Large Flowerheads.  The North Catty Carnival is always a fun time.

Now - if you wake tomorrow and feel like going to church and perhaps a picnic - Salem UCC is having Church in the Park at 10 AM tomorrow followed by a picnic and games.  Please feel free to join us.

Well, I gotta go take a shower, my new fitness tracker tells me I just  walked 3526 steps and I am a little sweaty.

Don't forget - there is a lot of stuff to do in Catty - check it out - and that's ...another day in Catasauqua

Whatcha Gonna Do when The Book Bounty Hunters come for you.

The Mission

Today, I and my team became aware of over due books at the Catasauqua Public Library.  Our job was to check the shelves, to see if perhaps the books were returned and not properly checked in.  Well let me tell you, there are a lot of overdue books out there Catasauqua, and perhaps; yes, just perhaps, we're coming for you......WE ARE the Book Bounty Hunters. 

Book Bounty Hunters are on the right side of the Library Law tirelessly bringing in the over due books and encouraging those who forget to return them to FIND them.

BB, Catt & Basket Lady

My team of  Catt (Cathy), Basket Lady (Carol) and me,  B.B (Bev), are experts in our field and I am not sure that you want us showing up at your door.  Oh - I forgot to mention our own "Charlie" like in Charlies Angels: DON and Don will back us up.  He will be with us on every mission, about two blocks away hunkering down in his car because he is a little embarassed to be seen with us.  BUT none the less - he will be there.

So I suggest, check your book bags, underneath the bed, in the sofa cushions and underneath all the mail on the dining room table. 

Don - you never see his face

Check and find that book on The Art of Flower Arrangements, How to start a Small Business on $20 or perhaps you borrowed Heidi, but find it and find it now and return it.   Because if you don't  you just never know what might happen.

Remember - a book can't be a blessing if it's not being read and if it is hiding under your bed, it can not be enjoyed by others.

So remember to return you books to the Library because if not, just maybe, more probably not, you might see us at your door. 

So from Catt, Basket Lady and B. B. remember this "BRR" - Borrow, Read and Return and that's another day in Catasauqua

Momerisms by my Mother - only she can come up with these

At the Wacky Shack at Dorney - 1964

Today is my Mother's 81st Birthday.  My mom is Catherine Delores Temos Kline Heil.  Kate to some, Cathy to others and mama to me.

Now my mom is unique and her momerisms are not typical and that is to say the least.  She has trouble pronoucing some things.  Spaghetti becomes pissgehetti.  Soup is zoup.

My mom has been living with us for several years and I am still not use to her talking to me in the morning.  I was use to a lifetime of quiet in the morning, now I hear the latest gossip and headlines from the Morning Call.  The best is when she is telling me the story - it goes like this.

Mom and I at Christmas 1959

Mom:  You know that guy
Me:  What guy
Mom:  You know, on TV
Me:  Can't say so mom.
Mom:  Oh you know, I know you know.

Then there is General Hospital, Parke and I DVR it and watch it at supper, so when my mom joins us for supper we get the same thing EVERY time she watches it.

Mom:  You see that girl - she was on the Young and the Restless.
Mom:  You see him - he was on the Young and the Restless.
Mom:  On the Young and Restless he is married to that girl.

BUT now my absolute favorite, absolutely funniest thing she has ever said was last night when we came home from dinner, the annual Chinese Buffet for her birthday, she says..... are you ready for this.

My Son, Rob, Mom and Me

Mom:  Hey - did you see that Mr. Spark died - you know on that show, Spark, that spaceship show, he
was from another planet.

Me:  Yes mom, I see Mr. Spark died, and I am sure Captain Tirk and Lieutenant Hulu are sad

and that's another day in Catasauqua
 

Frozen in Catasauqua

I don't care
What they're going to say
Let the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway!

Well, that might be good for Elsa, but that is not good enough for me.  This winter in Catty didn't start out that bad.  December wasn't that cold but then came January, February and now March.  I just came back to the office and they are brining the streets here is in Allentown for some more snow this weekend.  I haven't seen much predicted 1 to 3 inches maybe.  Some mornings when I drive down Third Street in Catty I am in awe of the snow/ice mounds everywhere.  Where does the next snow go?  

I don't think the snow bothers me as much as does the cold.  The sun burns bright today but the temperature is in the 20's.  The ice doesn't melt.  After lasts weekend brief warm temperatures my back yard turned first into mud, then a lake and now a small frozen pond.  Since my Mother parks out in the driveway she has come up with a creative way to get to her car.  Instead of going straight down the yard she has devised a clever path whereby she hangs a right at our shed then climbs the fence, swings from the tree and lands on her car.  Okay - it might not be as complicated as that but when my mom tells me that's what I envision.  

But take heart Catasauqua, the sun is shining and it is 21 days until Spring - so what if the real feel temperature is 18 degrees and the low tonight will be zero, frolic in the sunshine and know that next weekend starts daylight savings time, so it will be light and cold longer every day.

So stay warm fellow Catasauquians and take heart - before you know it we will be complaining about the heat.....and that's Another Day in Catasauqua.

And the Rocket's Red Glare - J4 Fireworks

What a day!  First a parade past my house.  Then the Mother of all Reunions at the North Catasauqua Playground.  All this ending with a BANG at Alumni Field with some spectacular fireworks and some family time.

Catasauqua - nice job on the fireworks.  You put the Iron Pigs to shame.  I loved the purple and green firework that occasionally lit the sky.

Parke and I left early and got a spot in the parking lot - of course, he will never forgive me for that - oh yeah he will.  We picked a shady spot to wait and soon the Reiter Family, along with the Khouri's showed up next.  Soon the Lynn & Schadler families arrived.  Some food, some snacks and a lot or laughs were next.  Then the rest of my own Werner clan showed up with the Morgans.  You know what they say - the family that watches fireworks together yells ooooooh together.

Catasauqua, I would like to thank you for a wonderful time.  I know there is one more event - the house tours tomorrow.


HISTORIC OLD HOME WEEK HOUSE TOUR
The grand finale of Old Home Week is the Historic House and Garden tour on Sunday, July 6, 2014 from 12 to 5 p.m. This is the grandest house tour HCPA has offered. The self-guided tour explores some of the beautiful homes and mansions in Catasauqua’s Historic Districts and beyond. There are 16 properties featuring original architecture of various styles, including Queen Anne, Victorian, Georgian and Federal styles. The interiors feature original woodwork, impressive staircases, stained glass windows, ornate fireplaces and parquet flooring. Catasauqua’s homes reflect Catasauqua illustrious past as the birthplace of the American Anthracite Iron Industry and one of the most prosperous towns in the United States. 

On the day of the tour tickets can be purchased for $18 at The Biery House, 8 Race Street, Catasauqua. . The ticket provides a map and description of each property on the tour. 

I won't be touring this year and please don't stop by my house, I'll be cutting the grass.  

Sincerely though, North Catty and Catty really know how to throw a party.  I love this town.  Also, without Catasauqua in the name of the blog it would just be another day.  Happy J4 and Old Home Week to all.

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