The Earth Moved

Yesterday was a really nice day. Started out a bit chilly for August, and when I walked in the AM, I wore a long-sleeved shirt. It was what the old folks used to call, "brisk". I had to run warm water over my hands when I got back.

I had my breakfast, chatted on the 'phone and decided to visit my favorite store to see if I could get some more of the delicious thin-sliced steak that I had earlier in the week. Sad to say, they were out. K-Mart didn't offer anything new. The Chinese dollar store, on the other hand, had some new stuff and I made a modest purchase.

After I ate my lunch, I was standing at the kitchen sink, cleaning out my coffee pot. I haven't been able to get the inside really clean since I got it as a gift, almost a year ago. The opening is too small to get my hand inside and so I settle for wrapping a wooden spoon with the dish cloth and giving it a lick and a promise. Yesterday, I bought a bottle of automatic dishwasher gel, (I don't have a dishwasher) thinking this may be the answer.

So, I'm standing at the sink and it began to move back and forth. Ever so slightly, but noticeably. My first thought was I'm having a stroke. My second thought was should I take the aspirin first and then call 9-1-1 or vice versa. I glanced up and noticed that some little items on the curtain rod were swaying and the back door, which was open, was swinging back and forth. And then I knew. Earthquake. And then the swaying stopped. I was feeling ever so slightly disoriented, but I knew. I called my daughter-in-law and she said she hadn't felt anything, even though she was only about nine miles from me.

I went out the front door to see if any neighbors were out but the street was quiet. I came back and got a drink of water and collected my thoughts. Remembering the time years ago when another quake rattled NEPA. It had originated in New England, where it was severe enough that it rang church bells. I was sitting on the toilet when the shock reached Luzerne County. You can bet I got up quickly!

Anyway, I finally realized that there would be news reports and turned on the TV. Sure enough, all the newsies were hard at work reporting the story. Earthquake originated in Virginia. All the local office buildings in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton emptied out with all the workers milling around and wondering what happened. September 11 was on everyone's mind. Of course, in the day of instant communication by cell phone, the word spread quickly and eased the minds of the apprehensive. Then came the speculation that some infrastructure damage may have occurred. The nuclear plant, various bridges, some of the taller buildings; all reason for concern.

Having learned where it originated, and that thus far it didn't seem to be devastating, I went back to what I was doing. Worrying about it would be non-productive. No way I could stop it if the "big one" should happen.

Happily, the dollar store gel did the job and the inside of my beloved coffee pot is all shiny and new once again. And this morning's coffee was especially mellow.

Of Banks, and the Men Who Rob Them

Picture it. Normal Monday at the bank. Here comes a fellow, maybe desperate for some cash to feed his family, and informs the teller that he has a bomb strapped to his body. Well, if somebody said that to me, I would hand over the "robbery pack" without hesitation. That's the package of money ready to go with the exploding dye inside. Remembering back to the days when I worked for a loan company. We always had a big cash drawer on Friday nights and while robbery wasn't as prevalent as it is these days, there was always the possibility. Our owner told us not to be a hero. Hand over the money and don't reach for the phone until the thief is out the door. I'm sure bank tellers are told the same thing. Give it up without question.

So anyway. Here's this crook, takes the money, goes out to the parking lot and gets in his car where an argument with his girlfriend ensues. Now here's where it gets strange. Although having just robbed a bank, it does seem strange that instead of driving off, he argues with his girlfriend. But it gets stranger. The Big Bad Bank Robber goes back into the bank and returns the money. Then he gets back in the car and leaves.

The police arrested him at his home a couple of hours later.

I'm not going to ask you to guess if this story is true or false, even though I'm pretty sure you think it's a figment of my imagination. It actually happened today in Conyngham, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania. Who could make this stuff up?

I can only guess at the scenario in the car. She asked how much he got. He said, "You want to count it?" She said, "Well, it better be enough for my nose job." He calls her an ungrateful witch and takes the money back inside.

That gene pool could use a free pour of Clorox.

This is for My Follower

As of today, I have succeeded in losing 15 pounds. I'm walking a mile every day. (Well, almost every day) Except when it rains and thunders and lightnings. I'm prudent.

We went to Wildwood Crust this month and had a lovely time. I'm in such good shape, I managed to walk the boardwalk without stopping to rest every 15 feet. Even walked around the Cape May Zoo and was disappointed when everybody else was ready to leave and I was still having fun.

This past weekend, I went on an excursion with my #2 son out to Williamsport. No, not to the LL World Series. He had a bit of business to attend and then we spent the rest of the trip checking out the sights. Drove slowly along Millionaire's Row and marveled at the homes that were built back in the days when lumber was king. Many of them look well-maintained but some are showing their age and lack of TLC. Quite a few rented out as apartments for college students. Penn College of Technology and Lycoming College are there.

The downtown seems to have quite a few independent shops (as opposed to chains) and then suddenly, we were in a parking lot, surrounded on three sides by brick buildings and all three covered in a spectacular mural. Depictions of people who had a part in the history of the city. And the detail is amazing. If you have time to just go for a ride some weekend, do head out to Billtown and check out this gem on Fourth St. Take your camera.