The Propellers on the Plane Go Round and Round

As you can see from the photo above, I am now back in Ohio. However much I wished for uneventful after the wheels on the BUS, the wheels on the PROPELLER wasn't much more fun.....

I needed to catch a shuttle service from Allentown to Philly. This is the wheel of the little plane when we landed... BOY was happy! This was tiny little plane with 40 people on it if you count the baby that was being held behind me. It was NOT air conditioned, so it was VERY hot on the plane. We had to walk across the tarmac to board the plane. I felt like I was in the Flintstones where they got on the pterodactyl by walking up a ladder. Then we hit turbulence... UGH! You know me, I get sick in a mini van. I was just praying not to be ill in that tiny hot plane. I white knuckled it and snapped the photo of the wheel kissing the runway when we landed.

Here is the tiny plane as we disembarked. Thankfully, a shuttle took us to the next gate we needed to be to. I had a 2 hour lay-over....

Here is a view from the next plane. It was a very large COMFORTABLE plane and we had clear skys the whole way home.

This was my dinner at the Columbus Brewing Company. I must THANK Aunt Marlene and Uncle John for the treat! I had a nice visit in Pennsylvania and am proud to say that I DID manage to see all of my cousins.

I am also happy to report that Jose is making some progress and we are still praying for his recovery.

Quiet, Lazy Days of Summer

Little Noah and I making faces and getting to know each other...

Tonya and I.....

Today was spent hanging around the house at my grandmother's. We did not go out and I had time to reflect on how lucky I am to have the family I have had.

Last night, John, Tassia and Noah surprised (LITERALLY) us by coming by late. How nice it was to see them. Noah is sweet heart. We had a great time sitting on the floor and making faces at each other. Tassia shared her new BOOK she had published! WOW... how cool is that?

My last cousin that I had not seen was able to drop in tonight for a brief visit. It was nice to get to see her, even if it was not for a long period.

The Long Dead, Gulped Air and Water Ballons

***I prefice this post with prayers for my Uncle Jose that we learned had a massive heart attack today......We love you Jose!



Today was a fantastic day for FAMILY! I am blessed to have such great Pennsylvania family that has gone way out of their way to make this Ohioan feel more than welcome and included. The family tree is quite impressive and I was on a mission today to find my 'roots'. I have been working on the family tree through www.ancestry.com for a while now, and in my searching, I realized a couple years ago that I had a Revolutionary War connection. There is a town about 14 miles from where my grandmother lives, that has a church founded by my SEVENTH GREAT Grandfather! WOW. Heinrich Keller.....

Several of his sons served in the American Revolution and I was able to find their graves as well. How cool. In Ohio it seems nothing is quite that old....

According to www.kellerkin.org, " Henry (Heinrich) was the chief founders of Kellers' Church in 1746. He purchased a large tract of land extending across the Tohickon Creek into Haycock Township and lived there until his death. He was one of the trustees who, on July 28, 1751, secured title to the twenty-acre tract upon which the first church, known as "Kellers," was erected; and he was one of the elders and trustees of that church until he died.

Henry of Heinrich Keller arrived in Philadelphia on the good ship "Glasgow" September 9th, 1738. From the records of Keller's Church, we have the following: "Heinrich Keller was born January 9th. 1708 and died October 18, 1782, his father's name was Wilhelm Keller and his Mother's name was Gertraut, in Weierbach, out of Naumburch, Braden. and came to America September 9th, 1738. On the 20th of October, 1728, he married Juliana, born in 1711: her Father's name was Peter Kleindinst and Mother's name Anna Maria, also out of Weierbach, Naumburch. Her Father held an Office there."Their eldest child Peter died within a week of their landing and seven others were born to them in Pennsylvania.After Henry (Heinrich)'s arrival, the first record of him as a landholder was in 1750, when he purchased of Thomas and Richard Penn 150 acres in Bedminster township, on the northwest side of the Ridgeroad. This tract he conveyed to Michael Yost in 1752. His residence at that date as shown by the deed was Bedminster. In the year 1734, a tract of 300 acres on the north side of the Tohickon, in Haycock township, was sold to Henry (Heinrich) Keller on May 10, 1757.

On November 05, 1754, Henry (Heinrich) Keller obtained a warrant for the survey of 21 acres and 136 perches at the northwest corner of the above tract and the draft of survey, on file at Harrisburg, shows that the Davis tract was then in the tenure of Henry (Heinrich) Keller. It is therefore probable the Henry (Heinrich) Keller took possession of the tract soon after his sale of his Bedminster land in 1752, under an agreement to purchase that was not completed until the date of the over the Tohickon into Bedminster township at two or three points, caused by curves of the creek. Of this tract of 300 acres purchased of Davis, Henry (Heinrich) Keller and Juliana, his wife, 1772, conveyed about 225 acres in three practically equal tracts to their sons Henry, Peter and Christopher. His son John, had purchased a large tract adjoining his father in 1772 of David Graham. Henry (Heinrich) Keller was a man of prominence in his community. He was the first constable of Haycock township, and was frequently named by the Court or selected by the parties to assist in the settlement of estates.

He is buried beside his wife, Juliana, in the graveyard at Keller's Church. His will, dated January 23, 1782, probated November 1, 1782, devises to his wife "my dwelling house together with all other buildings as it is mentioned in a certain article between Peter Keller and Christopher Keller, together with all incomes of my four sons, that is to say, John Keller, Peter Keller, Christopher Keller, and Henry Keller, as it is mentioned in a certain article of agreement [together with her personal goods and his personal estate] and 100 pounds shall stand upon interest if she should want it, ... all this she shall have so long as she remain my wife. " To his four sons he devises 75 pounds each and to his five daughters 50 pounds each.

The first place of worship in Bucks County was at the Tohickon Church, and dates back to 1743. It was called Keichlines Church, as he is reported to have given the land on which the first building, a log structure, was built. This building, also used as a school house, was replaced by a stone building by 1766. By 1749 the church was a union church - that is, it housed two congregations. One was the Lutheran congregation, the other a German Reformed congregation. The first full time Reformed minister was Jacob Riesz."

Isn't that fantatic

The day ended with us having a huge water balloon fight.. boy COUSINS are fun!!

Tales from Acme Ranch....

Acme was the name of the company that always sent Wylie Coyote his materials... I know that the fox that my Uncle John feeds are not the same, but it reminds me of such. Today was a quiet day spent here at the house. We had no agenda other than to spend time going over old family history. I was able to transcribe and record stories and remembrances. That was terrific!

Tonight we are sitting on the porch as the humidity has dropped. Wonderful... and are watching the fox..

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Distribution of the red fox. Native distribution in blue, introduced in red.
Synonyms
Vulpes fulva, Vulpes fulvus
The Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) is a small canid native to much of North America and Eurasia, as well as northern Africa. It is the most recognizable species of fox and in many areas it is referred to simply as "the fox". As its name suggests, its fur is predominantly reddish-brown, but there is a naturally occurring grey morph known as the “silver” fox; a strain of domesticated silver fox has been produced from these animals by systematic domestication.
The red fox is by far the most widespread and abundant species of fox, found in almost every single habitat in the Northern Hemisphere, from the coastal marshes of United States, to the alpine tundras of Tibetan Plateau. It was introduced into Australia in the 19th century.[2] It is capable of co-existing with more specialized species of foxes, such as Arctic fox, in the same habitat. The red fox can withstand and sometimes thrive in areas with heavy human disturbance. It is nowhere near extinction, and its amazing adaptiveness is driving many other less competent species into extinction.
The red fox is frequently featured in stories of many cultures, and is often portrayed as a sly animal.

Odds, Ends and ICE CREAM!

This is one of the beautiful homes that lines Main Street in Coopersburg. According to the last census, it has a population of around 2500.

Last evening, Angie and I decided to take a nice walk to get an ice cream cone. There is a little shop up Main Street from where our grandmother lives, so we set out to get some. I was pleasantly surprised to see that they carried a lot of various Amish products and some bulk food type items too. And the ice cream was fantastic! It is Nelson's Ice Cream, and in googling it, I found that it is made with 16% milk fat...NO WONDER! Most ice cream is around 10%

Angie Griggs and I..... COUSINS!

Ice cream... need I say more?

According to wikipedia, "Coopersburg was settled in about 1730 and was called Freyburg, named after Joseph Frey a local tavern owner and judge, in its early years. By the time the town was incorporated, it had been renamed Coopersburg, after Judge Peter Cooper. The town was once the site of famous cattle sales at the estate of Tilghman S. Cooper."

Today we went to a doctor appointment for my grandmother. We were very happy to hear that they feel that she is healing nicely and they can't believe the progress. Thank GOD!

Water Wars!!!

Today was a nice lazy Sunday. We slept in and then the nurse came and I dressed my grandmother's wounds. Then Angie and I went down to pick rhubarb. WOW.. Angie got about 40 stalks to take back to NY with her when she goes home.

Carol and Josie came and Jodie and Zachary also came to visit. We went to play in the yard. Zachary had his water gun......we had a great time playing....

Pizza was for lunch... YUM!

Tales of Silly Bands, Fox and the Cheese Steak Sandwich!

My Uncle John feeds the fox that live in the field behind him. I am starting this backwards tonight, but somehow it feels right. We are all very satisfied and fat and happy today. These fox have been coming for the last couple of years to the creek behind the house, and then come up and eat whatever 'leftovers' there are. Tonight, the leftovers consisted of over a pound of salami and several loaves of bread.

I am quite satisfied myself, as I had a cheese steak sandwich for dinner. Honestly, this thing was HUGE. It is twice what is pictured here, and I could not eat it all. I will be eating good. It is not quite from Philly, but we are only about an hour from there, so close enough. This is the 'deluxe', with sauce, onions, peppers, mushrooms and cheese. YMMMMM.

My cousin Vicki came today and brought her oldest daughter with her to visit. Amber had a all of her silly bands with her, and we had a great time playing with them. Evidently, it is the 3rd grade thing (oops wait.... it was Angie's 34 year old thing!) to choose a silly band out of the baggie and that was whatever you were. I was a dinosaur and a hippo, but Vicki was an F more than once... she said that it stood for FABULOUS!

Here we are all are waiting for the fox to come and eat from the smorgasbord. Wow.... hard to tell who ended more full, the fox or us......

Left to Right.... Angie, Marlene, myself, Vicki, Momo, Amber and John.

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round....

The wheels on the bus... wow.. who would have thought?

David and I left the house with good time today. We stopped at the cemetery in Vanlue outside of Findlay and watered the flowers and made our way to Columbus. It is about an hour and half drive and we thought we knew where we were going. For kicks, we turned on the GPS. BIG MISTAKE. I entered the address of the airport, we started to follow the directions. The GPS told us to take an exit earlier than the signs on the highway said. We listened to the GPS and turned. Homer's voice told us to turn left and right and so on.... and led us to the middle of a subdivision...... We re figured the directions. By then I was PANIC MODE....

We parked quickly, and ran inside dragging my 44 pound suitcase and 20 pound laptop carry on with me. I got checked in and the man checking said I was fine.... I had to go to the bathroom, and David and I made our way to the gate to say goodbyes. I took off my shoes, took out the laptop and went through the security check. After wrestling my shoes back on my feet, and collecting my laptop, I left security and got my bearings of where I was. Just about that time, I heard the loud speaker say "LAST CALL TO GATE A-6" Oh GOD, that is ME! I beat it up the terminal, laptop bag and purse bouncing wildly off my back...... I just was praying nothing would fall out of my bags..... and that I would make it on time..... I panted my way up to the stewards, they called my by name! Not a good sign. I checked in, raced down the boarding gate, and the promptly slammed the plane door behind me. My butt was in the seat 10 minutes before my flight was due to leave.

The flight was non eventful, thankfully. I had the window seat, and watched as we flew over the clouds. I landed in Newark, NJ and had time to spare. I guess it was the fact that we left Columbus 10 minutes early... I was told that I should take the shuttle to terminal C from the terminal I was in (A). We were loaded onto a regular bus and taken to the other side of the airport. We drove through underground tunnels, and secret passages and across the tarmac, to arrive on the other side. WOW.. what a big place!

My next gate was gate 71. I located where it was, and went to explore the huge airport. I went to McDonald's, and got a snack. I found an empty seat and ended up striking up a conversation the woman sitting there too. She was Scottish, but lives in Austin, Texas. We had a very nice conversation about the state of the world, economics and education. Funny, the same things that we worry about in our country are huge issues in Scotland too.

About the time, I decided to head back to the gate I was supposed to fly out of. It now said that the next flight was San Francisco... OOPS! I went back to the TV screens and the flight did not list a gate... oh no! I found the information desk after searching a while. They informed me it was 71C...my ticket did not read that. I wandered back again, and found it. There was a sign over the door for the shuttle. I realized that it was back were I was shuttled from the other terminal. I asked the woman if I was in the right place, and she said yes, have a seat the BUS would arrive soon... yes the BUS... AS IN THE WHEELS ON GO ROUND AND ROUND BUS! Heck! A bus! So I sat down with the other 4 people and laughed each time someone else came in and said 'A BUS!!!" Then pretty soon, we all were chatting and laughing and just going with the flow. We had an hour to kill, and were mostly punch drunk. At one point, I wanted to get a drink of water and I mentioned that I had a headache. The one man sitting two chairs over immediately got out a bottle of Advil and handed me two. The woman next to me volunteered to watch my laptop bag. Funny... here I was in a huge airport, and the kindness of strangers held true. Of course, the man laughed and said 'here you are, taking drugs from a stranger..." We all laughed. My headache went away.

Soon we were all loaded on the bus. I made sure I was on the FRONT of it...no carsickness allowed. Of course, the first stop was to get our bags.... oh yes, those things... had to be put on the bus too. We were driving in our little shuttle around these HUGE airplanes. At one point, we were literally under the wings of the largest airplane I had ever seen. WOW. We made the 80 mile trek from Newark to Allentown. The driver said that it only leaves 3 times a day, but it is more efficient than a shuttle flight. I arrived safely in Allentown, and met up with Marlene and John.

I am now sitting in the living room at my grandmother's, and ready to hit the sack. Somehow, those wheels on the bus tired me out!