"I went back to Ohio but my city was gone..."

We lived in Cleveland for 23 years before we moved to Jamestown. But before that, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, I grew up in Ashtabula, a Lake Erie port city that was once also a manufacturing center. Until it wasn't anymore, and became another notch in the Rust Belt.

I had an occasion (a funeral) to return to my hometown on Saturday, and couldn't get Chrissie Hynde out of my head. (Way. To. Go. Ohio.)  My high school is gone. All that remains is a grassy field. At least they had the decency to leave the tall, stately trees that once framed the front walkway.

The old neighborhood is riddled with vacant lots where houses used to stand. My childhood home is still there, but barely recognizable, now surrounded by a chain link fence.

Few of the old businesses are still around. Out beyond the (westside) Saybrook Plaza area, which was hurt when someone had the bright idea to construct an eastside shopping mall in the early 1990's, something like a ghost town remains. The McDonalds that stood there for years (the very first one to open in Ashtabula, back when burgers cost 15 cents) is just gone. Gas stations, bowling alley, cinema complex, other businesses -- vacant, boarded up, abandoned, looking ready to dry up and blow away. These days, that mall doesn't seem to be in great shape either. Relics of the 20th Century. 

Is this our future in America? Will we discard everything that we deem past its expiration date, seeking newer, bigger, brighter, and shinier, until our entire past is gone and forgotten? Or will more communities adopt the repair, reuse, recycle, repurpose mantra and show some mindfulness and respect for human history, the limits of the planet, the needs and sensibilities of others around us, and those who will come after us? 

In every life a little rain must fall

Well, what did Henry Wadsworth Longfellow know? These days, it's either NO rain (drought) or a WHOLE LOT of rain. I'm wondering if my little annual flowers will survive these repeated soakings. I have dug little drainage canals through my flower beds.

I managed to miss out on just about everything last weekend, not because of the weather, but because I was waylaid by a nasty upper respiratory virus.  (But I was very pleased with the prompt, professional service I received at 5 Star Urgent Care on Saturday morning.) I'm feeling better now, and hoping for better weather this weekend, for everyone's sake.  The weather forecast at the moment says it's going to be just about perfect (with residual puddles and mosquitoes) on Saturday.

The St. Nicholas annual Yassou Festival will be held this Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 11 pm, rain or shine!   Maybe getting out for some yummy Greek food will make up for the ribs I didn't get last weekend?

On Saturday afternoon, there is a drumming festival, artists showcase, and Art BURN Auction (everything that doesn't sell will be burned!) at the 100 Acre Woods (it's free), and that evening at 6, Big Leg Emma is playing a free show at Southern Tier Brewing.

Could be some really fun times.

Still waiting to find out if we'll be seeing the grandkids this weekend, now that there's been some talk about postponing their trip a couple of weeks.

Still wondering when Tom will get back from his cycling trip, which has been plagued with downpours, making for less than ideal riding conditions.

Waiting and wondering as I oversee this week's food buying club distribution and sit here waiting for people to pick up their orders. 

June is bustin' out

We waited so long for the warmer weather to get here, and now I've got my hands in dirt most of the time.  Hallelujah!
As you can see, my little "farm" has expanded this year.  I'm going to have to replant the carrots because nothing is coming up in that spot. It might have been too cold, or too wet, for the seeds.

My neighbor got her garden planted too. Tom built them a raised bed last year, but the first time around didn't go so well because she was late getting things planted and then out of town when things needed watering.  With a little "mentoring," I think it will work out better this year.

We also have a bed planted at the JCC College Community Garden. That one will be a "giving garden" for St. Susan's, provided that they get the fence put up before the wildlife finds the smorgasbord. There are beans and greens, squash, carrots, radishes, cucumbers, and melons.  When a water line on the site turned out to be too costly for the college to bite off right now, Tom constructed a solar-powered system that pumps water from the nearby stream into a cistern. It's pretty cool. There are also rain barrels. Looking forward to spending some time there with the other gardeners this summer and learning new tricks!

At home, I've been reworking the flower gardens a little because, as usual, some things didn't make it through the winter.  I've given up on growing butterfly bushes. Just given up. I love them, but can't afford to replant them every year.  They just don't like my yard.  My climbing "America" rose (the pretty coral pink one) bit the dust (the second one to die on me), so I replaced it with a good ole dependable Blaze.  I managed to save some of the plants in the corner that was excavated for the water line repair, but lost a rose there too.  I'm going to do some more thinking before I replace it, but in the meantime, I'm trying delphiniums again, though I generally don't have much success keeping those from one year to the next either. 

 My clematis, whatever the heck it is (one of those "we're not telling you what it is" things I picked up on a whim at Home Depot a couple of years ago) is in its usual show-stopping glory, and the smoke bush next to it is looking good too, having recovered from an earlier bout of "crispy" leaves (as nearly as I can figure, they got frost burned).

Now I'm on to a different project. Tom chopped out the old junipers by the front door and I've got a blank slate to work with. I'm increasing the width of my borders too, so I'm out there digging like a terrier every chance I get. (Oh please, don't tell the terrier next door I said that. He may take it as an invitation.)

Before all this playing in the dirt started, we  made a quick trip to Boston for Grandparents Day at Logan's preschool.  We had fun meeting his classmates and teachers. We got to participate in activities in the classroom, the kids put on a musical program for us, and then we were treated to a nice luncheon.  That's me and Tom sitting on the floor reading stories with Logan (blue shirt) and his friend Taylor.  When you're grandparents, it's always easier sitting down on the floor than it is getting up to a standing position again.

Next morning, we watched 5-yr-olds playing soccer! This is hilarious good fun. Sorry, we forgot the camera. Logan did score a couple of goals, which were almost as impressive as his celebrations of them.

His baby sister, Quinn, is 11 months old now and a very active, busy little girl. We will have to be vigilant when they come to visit next week... 

Jamestown Farmers Market opens this Friday, tomorrow!  The Prendergast Library is also holding their annual book sale, and having it at the Renaissance Center this year, so there will be congestion downtown.  (We've already been noticing an uptick in the traffic as the summer season approaches.)

The Celoron Rib Fest opened last night with beautiful weather, but today is a damp one. Don't suppose it will stop the diehard barbecue fans. The forecast for Friday and Saturday looks a bit better.

For nature lovers, the Roger Tory Peterson Bird Fest is this also weekend.  You can purchase "a la carte" tickets to the different field excursions (which include bus transportation) or buy passes for either day or both, to include meals.

In two weeks, the Jammers will be playing ball again.

Get out and have a good time.