Painfully Hopeful

Lady Liberty

I have long wanted to visit Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Yesterday, I did. Ellis Island, in particular, fascinates me. The factory-like way between 5 and 10 thousand immigrants a day 1 seems rather dehumanizing. People were checked for anything which might cause them to become a public burden. As unsettling as the…

Valley Green

During my childhood one of my favorite places on earth was Valley Green. Here the Wissahikon Creek has cut a rift in Philadelphia – leaving a beautiful preserve to be enjoyed by all. Descending the road down to the main parking area was always a huge thrill, and the sight of the Valley Green Inn…

Princeton Battlefield

Princeton Battlefield park is a relatively small area commemorating the Continental Army’s bold decision to secretly move around a British column of 8000 Regulars and attack their rear. The battle was relatively short, but fierce, and the Continental victory forced the British to cede the bulk of The Jersey’s to the Patriots. It’s a key…

Longwood Gardens

Friday my family and I visited Longwood Gardens. It’s a brilliant botanical preserve in Longwood, PA and one which I’ve been meaning to visit for years. Being the wise and intelligent people we are, we decided to visit the gardens on the hottest day of the year. This meant we only managed to walk about…

Just, tears

I’ve been away for a couple of days, so I programmed some posts to run while I was enjoying some vacation time. If anyone has been wondering why I’ve been oddly silent on the recent police homicides of black men 1, that would be why. And then I woke up Friday morning to read about…

I guess I’m a “Watch Guy” after all

Several weeks ago, I borrowed an Apple Watch from my neighbor. At the time I shocked myself when my experiment left me with a favorable impression. I have never enjoyed wearing a watch, but something about the Apple Watch clicked. It fit into my workflow nicely, and I enjoyed how it’s fitness tracking made me…