A certain kind of quiet...

There is a certain kind of quiet -- almost a peaceful silence -- after a serious snowfall.  Except for the occasional sound of the wind, that is the silence of this morning. It is an impressive start to December here in Northwest Pennsylvania for sure. Not much is moving.

Just last week I was writing to a friend, who is in the sunny South for the winter, about how she was missing the end of a November that had suddenly turned dreary -- I described that the leaves were now all down and blowing about if they were not too mud covered and clotted together under bushes.  I described the situation as an ugly prelude to winter that makes one appreciate the first snows.  Really?  Obviously that was written by someone who had temporarily forgotten how the beauty of the first snow may hide the dirt, but what it really does is blanket and blind.  It's the combination of the "b's". 

I was driving home yesterday in the early evening and watched as cars were literally plowing the roadway as they struggled to get home.  Anyone who lives around here is familiar with that and knows that I am not exaggerating.  I literally needed 4-wheel drive to get up my driveway.  I thought at the time that it was a good thing that I remembered the road home so that I could stay on it.  The thing is, I was only driving about a quarter of a mile and even that was scary.  That's the thing about blankets of snow -- very pretty, but you don't know what is under them.  

As for snow induced blindness, we are not talking here about not being able to see because of the glare off snow in sunshine, although that is a real thing. It's why people around here carry sunglasses in their vehicles in the winter even though most days are a bit on the sunless side.  What we are taking about it how it is necessary to drive in the dark on low beams because one cannot see a damn thing if the high beams are on.  Anyone who lives in snow country knows exactly what I mean. That is the problem if there isn't any wind.  If the winds are blowing drifting snow -- that is a whole other thing... a potential nightmare of total lack of visibility.  I am not even going to talk about that. I will just say that we call it a white out. That describes it perfectly.  Think of the reverse of a black out.  It's just as scary... maybe even scarier, because shining a light on it makes it worse.

I have a cousin who lives in Eastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia, who jokes about me living in Siberia.  This morning, I think he has a good point.  It sort of feels like it at the moment.   

Thanksgiving 2020

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This will be a memorable one for sure... in different ways of course. But... no matter how you prepare, or who is at your table, there are a good many things for which to be thankful.  We all know that deep down.  Sometimes we just have to look little harder. Sometimes we look through tears at the beginning of the search, and some days are more difficult than others because we have to drag ourselves through the sludge to get to the surface. It has been that kind of year - for the whole world.

Personally I start with being thankful for my wonderful family. Then after a time of acknowledging the many positives of my daily life, I move on to the sometimes surprising gifts... simple things like an unexpected smile from behind a stranger's mask (the secret in this is to watch the wrinkles around the eyes. Try it. Smile back, or better yet -- smile first. We all need smiles.) Anyway -- you don't have to look far really. You just have to set your course to find the good things.  There are a lot there. I have found too many "gifts" to even begin to count. The gifts I find, don't cost anything.  They are to be discovered in people -- in their hope and in their kindness -- and in their spirit and humor.  I am Thankful with a capital T. As for the darker "stuff"... well... since I know there isn't much I can do about it,  I try to ignore it as much as possible --  to put it on a shelf somewhere for later or … never. 

I try to remember to remind myself to look every single day and to make a mental list of all the good things -- to be thankful. For me it is a good way to move through a day.  Every day is then a Thanksgiving of a sort.  It isn't always easy, perhaps especially in these times, but... so worth the effort. Personally sometimes I think the whole world is seriously trying to count their blessings . There are glimmers here and there. Other days? Well, not so much.

For now...  Hope you are all having a wonderful Thanksgiving Day!

Without mentioning any names... This blog was first posted two weeks before the Presidential Election in September of 2016. Perhaps the proverb is true "...the more things change, the more they stay the same".

 I have recently been enjoying a self-imposed news blackout -- again. It works well for me.  My day-to-day life seems nicer somehow. I can always check in once in a while to get caught up if I want to, but I don't have to let the heavy stuff drop in clumps on/around me before I have a chance to self-protect... or even have a morning cup of coffee.

Without mentioning any names... here are some of the ideas and questions that I have been thinking about while enjoying a break from the dark side of the news -- and that includes the political front:

• How interdependent are we on the rest of the world?
• How can we focus more on similarities among people rather than on differences?
• What values do we have in common with all of humanity?

Look -- we all know that the old order is changing -- again.  No matter how scary things may seem, I think it is important to remember that this is not the first time.  It happens.  Here's hoping that the new ways of living in the world will take the best of what still works and will use those things with success to fight the new dangers of the times. 

Again --without mentioning any names...

• Who offers a sense of a breakthrough into a new way of living?
• Who offers a sense of strength in a complex world? 
• Who is not afraid to say "No", this is it.  We are done giving it all away. What is "it"?  It is, in no special order, -- American jobs, American dignity, American strength, American pride -- American hopes and dreams.
• Who knows the people who can get the jobs done that need to be done?
• Who dares to say what needs to be said?

Is there such a person out there? If we can find that person or one who even comes close to that, I may see you at the polls. Just sayin'.  In the meantime, I don't need the "news" to try to tell me what to think.  What happened to the "news" anyway?  Did objective reporting ever exist or is that also a pipe dream

We came. We saw. We conquered.

Attention Corry High School Class of 1967:  This blog, entitled "We came. We saw. We conquered." is a follow-up to the pre-reunion blog posted in April that was entitled "We're back...".  It is about us and about all who gather together to reminisce about a shared time. 

It is hard to believe that the weekend of our 50th reunion is over. The celebration went so quickly -- not enough time really... and now here I am settling back into my normal routine as many others are still traveling back from whence they came to begin again where they left off.

How lovely is was to take a short break from today's agenda and tomorrow's concerns, and to just revisit the past for a few hours.  What a gift to share old stories, some that had been forgotten, others that were delightfully embellished. It seems that a reunion like this is not so much about what you may or may not have accomplished but about what happened or maybe did not happen in times shared a long time ago.  Nice.

Our 50th reunion was a success on many levels. Always an impressive group, the Class of '67 won first place in the Corry Fest parade as well as all the important trophies at the 143rd Annual Alumni banquet. More importantly though... it was just great fun seeing and sharing time with friends and acquaintances.  People came back to Corry from all over the place and bonded in their struggles to hear while the music was playing and to read the "not so fine print" on name tags that included a copy of each Senior Picture. (Good grief, did we really look so young then?) Once again, we overcame challenges and figured it out. Even fifty years down the road we are a creative and industrious group.

People get older, but true friendships do not age. They are preserved in time just waiting to live again. The thing is though... there is another important aspect of a gathering like this. It affords the chance to get to talk with classmates you never really knew very well and now wish you had. The class of '67 is filled with interesting people.  I just wish I had had the chance to talk with everyone.  Maybe next time.

We were back in full force.  We came. We saw. We conquered.  It is what we do.

Finally -- I must mention that I cannot take credit for thinking of the idea of writing a post 50th reunion blog. That idea came from a supportive friend -- also a survivor of the CAHS Class of 1967. I told her that I would not mention names in this post reunion blog, and am keeping my word (sort of... Thanks Linda of pirate fame!  Argh....) I know I am not alone in offering an enormous Thank You to you and to those who worked so hard to make this gathering possible.

We're back....

High School reunions are a big deal in Corry, PA. It is a part of who we are.  It's fun.  Now with our 50th reunion fast approaching, I find myself wanting to encourage classmates near and far to come if at all possible.  The more who come, the more memories to be shared and all that sort of thing.  And speaking of memories... here is what I recall of a few moments in time now almost 50 years ago. 

The year was 1967.  The month was probably May.  I was, for some reason that I don't remember, the person in charge of the Class of '67 gift committee.  Back then I would have been referred to as the chairmen.  We were not so PC in those days.  Anyway -- as such it was my job to speak with the high school principal and to agree upon a gift that our class could give to our school -- something fitting like another flag for the auditorium or a new podium or something we could afford with the money left in our account.  But --- no.  Much to my chagrin, our usually kind principal who favored smiles and red socks, was not receptive and was not smiling.  In fact he told me in no uncertain terms that our school did not want to remember the class of 1967 and that any money remaining in our class account would be taken and donated to the General Fund -- whatever that was. He then went on to point out to me the twenty-some diplomas he had spread out all over his desk and to explain that they were being withheld until damages were paid and offences made right.  Now I know very well that there are those of you out there who will have a better memory of all of this because you were actually involved, but...  you are not writing this blog, I am.  So, forgive me if I do not have all the details correct.  You can tell me what I left out when I see you at the 50th.  

The event as I recall was this...  a caravan of station wagons (remember those?) had moved from one nearby community to another and "borrowed" school mascot signs which were then placed inside our school.  As they were very large and metal, their placement did cause some damage as did the illegal entry to the building itself.  I was told that the Bison and Dragon were especially rough around the edges.  It was a scandal indeed.  I was never party to all the details, but amends were made, a local company replaced counters and funds suddenly appeared to make repairs.  Diplomas were not withheld thus enabling young men to move on their way to their futures. In particular -- one young man moved on to wander about in a loin cloth once in a while and on at least one occasion to lasso moving cars on Main Street where he was arrested by a fellow classmate. 

(I heard that the cannon in the city park is now permanently attached somehow. Just so you know.)  But I digress....

Lots of memories -- some fun, some not so much.  Anyway -- soon many of us will gather to celebrate both kinds of memories and all those in between. It is my hope that those who are still with us will be able to come home again or to stop into one of the gatherings throughout the weekend.  We grew up together and shared a lot of years - a lot of our lives.  What a gift to spend time with those who understand who another is at the core. There is something about sharing experiences that creates a bond.  Our class knows what it is like when your school actually does burn down and when young men go off to war. We also shared the lighter side -- proms, musicals, plays, all sorts of activities.... We have a great deal to talk about.  At one point in time, we wrote an entry for "Twenty Years From Now" for the Corrian.  Well now it is 50 years later. Let's get together and see where we are.

Please feel free to send the link to this blog to any members of our class. It would be so great to have a good turnout.  I don't know about you, but I am looking forward to spending time and reminiscing with others of our class.  It always was a special group. Below is a Date Saver that I found on Facebook that was posted by Maddy Jawdy Johnson. It has all the important information.  

CORRY AREA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1967
50TH REUNION WEEKEND
JUNE 16, 17 2017

Friday – 7:00 p.m. - Get Together at VFW Pavilion

Saturday 11:00 a.m. - Corry Fest Parade
Class of ’67 Pirate Ship Float Entry
Parade Theme Pirates of the Caribbean

Saturday Night 5:00 p.m. – Class Picture at CAHS

Saturday Night 6:00 p.m. - Alumni Dinner at CAHS
The Corry HS Alumni Association is one of the oldest continuously running in the entire USA. The Class of '67 committee plans to attend and proudly represent our class and hope you will come and join us for the Roll Call of Classes that night.
 Great food and good time to stand with over 500 other Corry Alumni!!

Order dinner tickets by sending check or money order for $13/per ticket to Lisa Eastman, 820 East South Street, Corry, PA 16407 no later than May 20, 2017

Saturday - Class of ‘67 Get Together at VFW Social Hall immediately following dinner. Age appropriate music, light refreshments, fun surprises also included at no additional cost.

Contact -Maddy maj707@verizon.net (814 664-4877) or Linda 814 664-5423 linda.vanderschaaff@yahoo.com
Find us on Facebook page -Corry High Class of ’67 Reunion. You are also welcome to visit corryalumni.com to see their posts

In order to move our 50th Reunion Alumni Weekend plans forward we could use your financial support. Accepting cash, checks, stocks, bonds, jewelry, leftovers from your kids college funds, lottery proceeds, etc. Make Checks Payable To: CAHS CLASS OF 1967. Mail to: Lisa Eastman, 820 E. South Street, Corry, PA 16407. Your donation and dinner ticket cost can be combined in one check.
HELP PUT A SMILE ON OUR FACES - LET US HEAR FROM YOU Plans brought to you by Mary Bosak Schill, Candy Chircuzio Frontera, Clancy and Kris Lawson Walsh, Ted Bauer, Ed and Donna Culbertson Malek, Bob and Mary Migliaccio Palmer, Cary Saxman, Sue Elmquist Jaquith, Dixie Swanson Anderson, Vonnie McIntyre Orton, Lisa Eastman, Linda Miscik Triscari, Charise Ohrn Loringer, Paul Kubich, Rex Messinger, Janet Auer Way, Larry and Jerry Harrington, Linda Wolcott Vanderschaaf, Maddy Jawdy Johnson.
Area Lodging:Cobblestone Inn, Route 6, Corry; Ottaway Inn - West Church Street, Corry 814-665-9301; Something Special Suites - North Center Street, Corry 814-664-9444 Victoria on Main - East Main Street, Corry 814-664-3823; Pennsylvania Gast-Haus - Mechanic Street, Spartansburg 814-654-7700 www.PaGast-Haus.com; Peek n' Peak Resort - www.pknpk.com; Holiday Inn Express - Findley Lake, NY; Holiday Inn, Warren Pa

So... all that being said -- A huge thank you from all of us on the fringes to those who are working so hard to bring us all together. To fellow classmates out there -- keep checking Facebook for details on the reunion.  For now -- pencil in the dates June 16th and 17th on your calendar.  Better yet use a pen.  

We're still here and "We're back" -- whether the school wanted to remember us or not.  Let's get together and share the memories.   

Happy New Year!

It is the eve.  Tomorrow is the day to begin writing 2017.  Translation – tomorrow is the day I should remember to start writing 2017 ...as well as the day I should take down the Christmas tree.  I would not bet the ranch on my success in doing either.  Needless to say I will be bringing the New Year in with all the traditions that I have established over the years – no resolutions and sleeping throughout the ball drop.  Oh – last year -- at some point near the end of 2015 -- I wrote down three dreams to work on in 2016… (Some of you may remember that I did this in lieu of the whole resolution "thing".  I encouraged you to do the same.  Did You?)  Anyway -- my dreams were:

                   Finish Views from the Porch (the book I am working on)

                   Submit it for publication

                   Work on the Pencilbox (this blog) …keep the focus…

So – the book is not finished, but about 30 chapters are at a publishing company in NYC waiting patiently to be read. They have been waiting now for 7 months.  I figure I should hear something by February - maybe. The blog is enjoying a hiatus of late… but I did finish a full 100 blogs over the past two years…so that is something.  

Think I will make a dream list this year as well.  Will give it some thought.  Becoming more mindful comes to mind immediately.  I, for example, have been trying to remember to listen to the sounds of morning when I wake up.  So far the only noticeable thing is the house reacting in various ways to the winds and cold of Northwest Pennsylvania snow country.  Then I try not to focus on my bones doing that same thing. 

The most important thing I have to say today though is that I wish you all a wonderful 2017... may you realize at least some of your dreams.  

100th From Pencilbox to Keyboard

Funny how looking back on time makes it seem like it has passed so quickly.  In the Fall of 2014 I took a course at the local Higher Ed because I wanted to know what a blog was.  My first blog was posted on October 30th of that year with the help of my most patient and knowledgeable instructor, Chelsea Oliver. Now in what seems like no time at all -- today is the 100th blog that I have written and posted on Google Blog Spot, and From Pencilbox to Keyboard has been viewed over 12,000 times. Blogging has been an amazing and positive experience... thanks to all of you who read it, and sometimes take time to react, comment and even to share.  

Developing a reader base has been a slow process but -- today I have readers all over the world -- popularity varies from day to day - country to country depending on some unknown and unidentifiable reason. Sometimes I have a bunch of readers in Romania or France and then at other times, it is in Mexico, China and Poland. Go figure. Interestingly -- although I have a lot of readers in almost thirty other countries in which English is not the native language, I have very few readers in the UK or Canada.  How do I know this? Google Blogger tracks it all -- not specifics on individual readers, just the country that is linking in. I have had individuals from faraway places comment on Blogger itself and have been able to have "conversations" with them. I had one message from a CEO of some logistics company in Sweden who enjoyed my writing about my grandchildren. It is reassuring to see that there are certain values that are shared by people all over the world. (We should concentrate more on these shared values and less on the differences, methinks.) Anyway - it has been a wonderful learning experience all the way around.  What I love the most, have to say, are the comments and "likes" on Facebook -- these are from people I know and especially care about. Thank you all for reading, commenting and sharing.  I appreciate you.  You have expanded my world. 

My intent from the beginning of this blog was to reach out to those I refer to as "Maturing" Baby Boomers. I, of course, include myself in this most special group.  There are a great many of us out there, yet we do not always remember that we are not alone in the particular challenges of our times.  I personally like to be quietly reminded once in a while that I am not alone -- that I am not standing on a cliff screaming into the wind. Plus -- it is reassuring to know that others also sometimes feel sort of "out of it".  The thing is -- ironically -- it doesn't really bother me to be "out of touch" in some ways.  I, for instance, wouldn't know Beyonce, Rihanna, or Britney Spears if I ran into them on the street, and... I don't care in the least. So -- that being said -- I know that, even if at times a bit out of touch with each other and with the outside world, we are a good bunch -- we have given a lot to the world and still have a great deal to offer.  Yet -- we need each other sometimes to reaffirm our worth, to commiserate about our difficulties and to join together in laughter... that last may be the most important of all. Laughter is a supportive and positive bonding for sure. 

Anyway -- at the end of this 100th post, I thank you all, most sincerely for reading, commenting and sharing.  I appreciate you. You "get it". Thanks for being there. I am proud to be one of you.  Go Boomers! "May the Force be with you."