Perspective is something that can be gained in many different ways. You can go to Niagara falls and feel and comprehend the awesomeness of this world God has created. You can have hindsight after mistakes have been made, or even when things went the way you wanted them to.
Or you can speak to your sister.
Yesterday, we were discussing her 40th birthday, which was on Friday, while she was busy with the open house portion of her son's bar mitzvah. I asked if she would have liked more of a celebration. Her answer keeps ringing in my ears:
"I can't think of a better way to have spent that day. I was with every person who matters to me."
Tuesday, August 31, 2010
On the Road
We finally did it. My sister has lived in Detroit for seventeen years, and we managed in all that time NOT to drive the six hundred miles (one way)to go see her. Until now.
Sheand her husband made a beautiful bar mitzvah this past weekend, and we made a trip of it. We left Wednesday and drove to Niagara Falls, where we stayed overnight, and enjoyed the sights on Thursday before climbing back into the car and arriving at her house at midnight.
Niagara was gorgeous. The falls are beyond magnificent, their power and constancy, awesome. We did all the activities that bring you up close and personal with one of the (not official!)wonders of the world.
Everyone says Niagara is cheesy and very touristy. I found that when walking on the promenade between the American falls and the horseshoe falls, and on the maid of the mist, journey behind the falls, and the rapid river walk this was not the case. It was a natural wonder in its natural state, and you could enjoy different viewpoints and perspectives at varying degrees of proximity and dryness.
Except for one thing.
Every attraction let you out through a gift shop. You could not avoid it. It put France and Wisconsin to shame. It put shame to shame in its shamelessness. The only place that didn't do that was Aero car that was built in 1916, and if they could figure out away to enclose it in a gift shop, you can be darn sure they would have by now.
It was a great trip. It was magnificent, the kids had a blast, and we got to go see the family in Michigan. Then we drove home. Am event we've dreaded for a long time, and thankfully was not as bad as we thought. Apparently it was fine for the kids too, because the three year old told my sister this morning "I want Mommy to drive me back to your house."
Sheand her husband made a beautiful bar mitzvah this past weekend, and we made a trip of it. We left Wednesday and drove to Niagara Falls, where we stayed overnight, and enjoyed the sights on Thursday before climbing back into the car and arriving at her house at midnight.
Niagara was gorgeous. The falls are beyond magnificent, their power and constancy, awesome. We did all the activities that bring you up close and personal with one of the (not official!)wonders of the world.
Everyone says Niagara is cheesy and very touristy. I found that when walking on the promenade between the American falls and the horseshoe falls, and on the maid of the mist, journey behind the falls, and the rapid river walk this was not the case. It was a natural wonder in its natural state, and you could enjoy different viewpoints and perspectives at varying degrees of proximity and dryness.
Except for one thing.
Every attraction let you out through a gift shop. You could not avoid it. It put France and Wisconsin to shame. It put shame to shame in its shamelessness. The only place that didn't do that was Aero car that was built in 1916, and if they could figure out away to enclose it in a gift shop, you can be darn sure they would have by now.
It was a great trip. It was magnificent, the kids had a blast, and we got to go see the family in Michigan. Then we drove home. Am event we've dreaded for a long time, and thankfully was not as bad as we thought. Apparently it was fine for the kids too, because the three year old told my sister this morning "I want Mommy to drive me back to your house."
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
I Tasted Summer Last Night
There is really no other way to describe it. I got some plums at a farm stand at the Middlesex County Fair (in NJ). As I bit into the thin, but ever so crackly skin, the golden flesh beneath it was so soft, sun drenched, and juicy. It evoked everything the summer is, and all the smells and activities of the season were dancing on my tongue.
Definitely being at the fair didn't hurt, but when I had another one this morning the results were the same. One bite, and I was at the beach, in the pool, playing net ball with the kids, summer evenings on the porch, barbecuing and riding bikes at dusk.
The fair itself was great. Lots of rides (with lots of lights), though we didn't end up going on any of them. After the magic show, animals, acrobat show, face painting, window (actually tent)shopping, Skee Ball! and fireworks, it got too late, and everyone had had a good time.
A few minutes before the fireworks were supposed to start we headed in the general direction of where they would be. We were told "anywhere, just kind of look up and you'll see them." As much as this seemed like a good plan, I love fireworks, and was able o determine based on which part of "the sky" I was advised to look up at, where I wanted to be for optimal viewing. We walked through the fairgrounds, and found the farm stand along the way, continuing to the giant,Paul Bunyan sized Turkey Hill cow mascot, as the first explosions began. They were right on top of us, and there was plenty of room for us to stop and watch without blocking any foot traffic. One of the kids echoed my thoughts when she noted all the people just walking on, not even glancing skyward. We did. What a treat.
Imagine, a cool summer night sitting on the grass, lights strung up between tents, the tall rides glowing in the night sky, hearing shouts of glee and laughter from the rides and entertainment, and watching the fireworks splash pulsating colors on your wide-eyed children's faces.
Perfect.
Definitely being at the fair didn't hurt, but when I had another one this morning the results were the same. One bite, and I was at the beach, in the pool, playing net ball with the kids, summer evenings on the porch, barbecuing and riding bikes at dusk.
The fair itself was great. Lots of rides (with lots of lights), though we didn't end up going on any of them. After the magic show, animals, acrobat show, face painting, window (actually tent)shopping, Skee Ball! and fireworks, it got too late, and everyone had had a good time.
A few minutes before the fireworks were supposed to start we headed in the general direction of where they would be. We were told "anywhere, just kind of look up and you'll see them." As much as this seemed like a good plan, I love fireworks, and was able o determine based on which part of "the sky" I was advised to look up at, where I wanted to be for optimal viewing. We walked through the fairgrounds, and found the farm stand along the way, continuing to the giant,Paul Bunyan sized Turkey Hill cow mascot, as the first explosions began. They were right on top of us, and there was plenty of room for us to stop and watch without blocking any foot traffic. One of the kids echoed my thoughts when she noted all the people just walking on, not even glancing skyward. We did. What a treat.
Imagine, a cool summer night sitting on the grass, lights strung up between tents, the tall rides glowing in the night sky, hearing shouts of glee and laughter from the rides and entertainment, and watching the fireworks splash pulsating colors on your wide-eyed children's faces.
Perfect.
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