Earl Update

Earl is rallying. The news I have is that he is improving. To protect his privacy, I won't go into more detail, but it sounds like he's on his way back. Yay!

At the Ledges

Peter, Stephanie, Michael and I took a little river trip today, as summer is waning and we're sad to see her go. The Lehigh is our home river. I cut my boating teeth here on the Ledges, a decade ago, with my good friend John, who taught me how to kayak.

Peter and Michael, surfing at the first drop.

John's memorial plaque, at his favorite wave, on our way down the river. More about this at a later date. I'll just say this: Thank you, John. And I miss you.

It was a beautiful afternoon, and a beautiful paddle. New friends enjoying what old friends have brought us, as is the way of the world. Though time moves on, and we have to say goodbye, we'll never forget.

In John's own words: "It's all good."

REALLY Local Wine

These innocent jars of fruit, water, sugar and yeast may just be the cause of much frivolity, come Christmas. The peaches are hoping for a jar of their own... Want a great idea for the holidays? Crafting a Green World, by Becky Streipe provides a recipe for homemade wine that isn't daunting. I'm giving it a try. Read her recipe and comments here. You should see the bubbles these jars are producing. Happy little bubbles...

Clay, Apples and Sands

Last night, I had a plan for today; and while I did indeed carry out that plan, it was augmented by a few great side trips today. The plan was to get up early and head to Boyertown, to my good friend and optometrist David Donohue's office to pick up my new glasses. I needed to go fairly early, as I ALSO had plans to meet an old friend for lunch at the new Sands Casino, which I've never seen inside (though I've watched the exterior construction since it began). My good friend El, who we affectionately call "The Doctress") came along for the ride, because she wanted to shop at Frecon's, a local orchard store. I worked there as a kid, so I always enjoy a visit. So, off we went.

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Our first stop was at a roadside farm stand, where we both bought some fruit and vegetables. Good stuff, local and organic. I got a huge head of cabbage for my weekend soup, as well as two quart boxes of local peaches and a quart box of cutting tomatoes. Yum. Our second stop was at a local mini-mart for lottery tickets. We enjoy planning how we'd spend our winnings while we drive. The next diversion, and the subject of this post, came from following road signs. Those signs simply read "Stahl's Pottery Festival". She asked me, "What's a pottery festival?" I couldn't answer, so we investigated. Several miles of winding country roads later, we found this wonderful site.

Stahl's Pottery Festival

The Vendors

We quickly found out that this time-honored festival has been going on for years, and we somehow missed it. Each of the potters is local, and there was so much talent and diversity displayed there that we both had trouble deciding what to buy. Since I'm participating in Crunchy Chicken's "Buy Hand" challenge, I found it an opportune time to purchase a Christmas present for a close friend of mine. El bought some raku-fired jewelry, and we spend a half-hour or so just soaking up the ambiance of the place. Check out the hyperlink above for a better description than I can provide you.

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The lucky puppy below was enjoying the misty morning at the side of his master, a content young woman who was quietly reading and scratching him as she tended her stand. It seemed like a great way to spend the morning. Behind her, you can see the Stahl homestead and pottery. I may try to buy this place when I win the lottery tonight. I think I could keep goats there with no problem at all!

El and I finished our trip with the top down, as the mist politely burned off. We made a quick stop at David's office then an equally quick stop at Frecon's. We both bought local concord grapes (did I mention that I'm fermenting fruit?) and a few other items. She enjoys their frozen grass fed beef steaks (well, I do too, but I'm financially challenged right now, having misplaced my ATM card). We left with my tiny Miata trunk stuffed with provisions. One last stop at the fish store, and we were on our way home.

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I did make it home in time to change my clothes and drive to the Sands, where we met up with Jill and Scott, and enjoyed a nice lunch at the Irish Tavern. The interior of the casino is industrial, having been built on the bones of the old Bethlehem Steel Plant. Peter and I didn't gamble; just met up with our friends to dine. The lights and sounds in places like that disturb me. My personal hell might well be a casino, though we're going give the experience an honest try next month, for my birthday. I'll let you know how it goes.

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I still think the place has ghosts.

A Goat and Three Cats

Paintings of Quadruped Friends

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I'll talk about these another time. The one on the left, Faith, is my pretty Nubian goat, who calls me maaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-am. She adores me; the only one of the four still with us. They are Faith, Buppy, Stewart and Zoe, ages 3, 22, 17 and 16 at the time of their painting or departure.

Earl..No New News

I started to write about my paintings today, but this bubbled out, so I'm going with the flow.

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First of all, there is no new information available on Earl. It's awkward. Even though there was a network of people caring for him, bringing him food and clothing, etc., we're not his family. As an indigent person, he has now become a ward of the state. I only hope he doesn't have to live in an institution for the remainder of his life; he has slept under the stars...well, the bridge...for 25 years, by choice. He's a fascinating person. A man of few words. The story the Morning Call did a year or two ago is about all I know about him, other than the fact that he remembers the people that help him. We had a system; I'd bring a thermos of hot, homemade soup once a week, and he'd eat it at his leisure. The next week, I'd bring another, and he'd give me the empty. I'm sure there were lots of exchanges like that.

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I can't imagine that the system would allow him to return to his life, as it was. Though the volunteers fed him and got him help when he needed it, I suspect the state will want to intervene; and perhaps rightly so, as winter is approaching, and he's getting weaker in his old age. Earl was offered room and board so many times, but truly preferred his outdoor life. I wonder if he'll be able to adapt. I worry that he won't.

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I discovered Earl because I live about a mile from his "place", and passed him often. I was moved to cook for The Caring Place about a year or so ago, and also was moved to help Earl. I've always been a boardinghouse cook; I must have had a huge family or a farm full of farmhands to cook for in another life. Before I found these outlets for my obsession, I wasted a LOT of food; now, I exercise my compulsion, and pass it on. Win/Win. There was also that time, when I first left home and was starving (living on brown rice and tea), and Alice Wolfgang brought me a bag of groceries unexpectedly. She paid it forward before there was a catchy phrase for that. This is my way of doing the same. Thank you, Alice! Wherever you are! I have never forgotten. You have helped a lot of people with your one kind act, back in 1976.

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Once, last summer, I brought my grandsons along to feed Earl. I tried to explain him to them. I told them he lived under the bridge, and didn't say much. They asked why; I explained that he chose to live that way, and that he probably didn't have much to say. The little grandson said he thought Earl might be like the troll under the bridge, but I explained that he wasn't scary, just like an outdoors grandpa that didn't talk much. He was OK with that. And when we got there, Earl was gentle and polite with them, and his eyes grew brighter when he took his lunch from them. Mine are tearing up right now.

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I'm not a traditionally religious person, though I am deeply spiritual; the only church I have ever felt at home in was the Unitarian Church, because of its cultural and spiritual diversity and acceptance and respect for all belief systems, and I don't even go there anymore because of the bickering. But whatever and however I personally translate this right now...a blog for another time and place...God help Earl right now. And be merciful.

Earl of the Parkway

Earl is in intensive care. One of the volunteers found him when they brought him his meal today. Whatever your belief system is...please pray for him.