Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, End of August Through September 6th 2017

Rockport, TX

This is the first time  in history two category 4 hurricanes came one after the other, first Harvey and then Irma.

Harvey was the largest hurricane ever recorded in TX and wrecked havoc on Rockport, TX where our friends the Rev. Dr. Ruth Gnagey and Dr. Bill Gnagey take their winters.  We visited them last year and fell in love with the place.  They are serious birders!  The UU Church in Corpus Christi is 40 miles from Rockport and is okay.  Horrid calamities in Houston as well. 

The island of Barbuda in the Caribbean was totally devastated.  Other Caribbean islands were
affected -- St. Johns and St. Thomas. 

Houston, TX

Then Irma came which devastated Key West and other parts of Florida.

Between both Harvey and Irma, 71 are confirmed dead as of September 6.

Many communities opened shelters.  Yesterday we heard 8 people died in a Texas nursing home because there was no electricity meaning no air conditioning and no power to administer various treatments.  Many people have no homes to return to!  Oh Mother Nature!

Solar Eclipse August 21, 2017

History was made on this day
Earl Hill, Cousin Patty's nephew whom we've known ever since he attend RPI in Troy NY, is an independent consultant who travels the world examining nuclear power plants.  Earl and his daughter, Linneah, stopped here and had dinner with us on their way to Carbondale to witness the eclipse.  But they stayed in Champaign for the night and then drove south the next day. 

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Laurie at Eliza June's Baby Naming Ceremony, 8-13-17

Neal "wearing" Eliza June as he and Laurie make apple sauce
 with apples from their yard way down the hill.

Hummer on Crocosmia 'Lucifer'

Dredging the Charterwood Farms Small Pond

More Oldies

Laurie and me tubing down the San Marcos River. 
Picture taken at Red's Texaco.  Late 70's I think.

Pete Hines first visit to 4600 Gardenville Rd. 
Digby and Pete talked about septic tanks.  April 2, 1966

A tired baby 1 year old Laurie after
tons of cake and fun.  October 12, 1968

My Wubble

Laurie, Tim and the girls were here around my birthday, and presented me with a few terrific gifts, the best was a Wubble.  Last time when we were at their house, there were 2 Wubbles in their big room and I went nuts over them.  Apparently one of the girls was invited to a birthday party and the Wubble was to be the birthday present, but they learned there were to be no gifts and thus they decided to give it to me!

 

Daad's Detailed Account of the Pittsburgh Trip

THE PITTSBURGH SAGA: July 14-18, 2017

Uncle Bro suggested to his twin that we all convene in Pittsburgh for a long weekend. It suited his attending a Classic Car Event and Race in Schenley Park. I told Meema that if she wanted to do it, she’d have to be the organizer at our end. She did a fine job with the weekend, and got Laurie & family involved, also. It was a truly memorable weekend. Included were: Jan Hyde; Judy Hyde + Ed Hines; Laurie + Tim Ackermann and Signy, Roslyn, &  Liesl Ackermann.

We had the girls (Signy, Roslyn, Liesl) at our house for the week before. They stayed with us after their Madeline Island adventure during which Laurie nearly cut off her thumb with an ax! She had to go to a hospital emergency, taking the Madeline Ferry back to Ashland, then stayed overnight in a motel because they missed the return ferry. After a glorious week with the girls, we flew from BMI to PIT on Friday, July 14^th. It’s always great to fly with the girls! We stopped at the PIT Airport to get something to eat at their good food court, got a premium car with GPS, and wended our way to Pgh via the Parkway (I-376). It was of course under construction, bumper to bumper going out, off & on going in. We got that wonderful view of the city from the Ft Pitt Bridge, then straight ahead on Liberty Ave, right on 6^th Ave, out Bigelow Blvd (the beanie [Arena] is no longer), Baum Blvd, Penn Ave to the Spring Hill Suites at Bakery Square. Uncle Jan was already there, having driven his Mini-Cooper that day from Brooklyn. The girls went exploring, got stuck in a stairway that went nowhere, finally exited via the fire escape (alarm didn’t sound), and Roslyn broke out in tears when she saw how mad we were (worried about our girls!). We 7 had a late dinner at the “Social” eatery at Bakery Square.

Sat. We all drove (two cars) to Westview Cemetery to Mim & Digby’s graves. It looked beautiful, but they had lots of rain earlier in the season.  Then into town, dropping off Jan at his car show in Schenley Park, then to Bellefield Ave where we spent an hour in Heinz Chapel, meeting a young couple doing their wedding rehearsal, hearing the mighty organ play the Lohengrin Wedding March, & showing Laurie, Tim, & girls the Chapel. MARVELOUS. We walked over to the Cathedral of Learning & took the elevator to floor 36, then a little elevator to floor 40. We then drove up to Mt Washington (Duquesne Hts incline too busy). We found the Grandview Saloon & had a wonderful lunch. Fabulous views of downtown Pittsburgh! Then back to motel for quick rest, picked up Jan, & drove to West Station Square to catch the Gateway Clipper & a 3-hr Captain’s Dinner cruise on – Monongahela, Allegheny, and Ohio!

Sun. Kids did Kennywood Park. Jan & Judy drove to 4600 Gardenville Rd, Caste Village, etc. I slept (!), then had lunch at Panera’s on the 1^st floor of the Spring Hill Suites Bldg. After a rest, we + Jan drove to Squirrel Hill & had dinner with Feinerts at the Smallman St Deli (not good).

Mon. We + Jan drove to Indiana, PA to visit Ina Rae Abrams in her new place, like a one-floor condo but with good basement where Stephen, Meredith, & Maya Camille stay. Jan drove on to NYC & home. We returned to Pgh & had dinner at the Eat ‘n Park in Edgewood. We drove around Shadyside, past 507 Shady several times!

Tues. We checked out, did the Rodef Shalom Biblical Garden, had lunch with Feinerts at the “Social” at Bakery Square, drove to the Airport, & flew home. PIT to ORD to BMI, arriving at 10:35 p.m.

Meema Sang in the Heinz Chapel Choir Every Tuesday at Noon

She always wanted to be married there.  And on June 26, 1966 she married the love of her life, Ed Hines in Heinz Chapel.   Our friend Tom Clark sent us this link that tells about the restoration of Heinz Chapel.

Thank you, dear Tom.  By the way, Tom was in our wedding!  

Pittsburgh Trip, July 14th - July 18th 2017

My twin, Jan, fondly known as Bumpkin,suggested we travel to the Burgh because there was to be a big car event in Schenley Park. Great idea, Uncle Bumpkin!

After Laurie/Tim and the girls spent time at Madeline Island Camping, they drove back here and left Signy, Roslyn and Liesl at our place.   They returned to TX making it through in their trusty Odyssey in one day!  We flew to Pittsburgh on Friday, July 14, and we all met at the Spring Hill Suites in Bakery Square.

At Westview Cemetery at Digby and Mole's Graves. 

There is a row of 15 ginkgo trees that line the road 

in back of the graves!

In Heinz Chapel

4600 Gardenville Road, not in the best shape

At the Biblical Garden at Rodef Shalom.  Oh how I love this Garden.

We ran into Rabbi Walter Jacob in the lobby!  Which reminds me

I want to send another donation to Dr. Jacob.  Once he wrote to me

"Judy, you always have a home here."

Wonderful picture of Uncle Bumpkin and Tim Ackermann