Posted by: Brendan in shopping, nostalgia, hometowns on
Nov 20, 2008
I got a frantic call from my mother tonight to tell me to turn on CBS Evening News. This was playing:
Watch CBS Videos Online
(http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=4622308n)
When I was growing up, Reyers was billed (still is) as the "World's Largest Shoe Store." I remember when it moved from the little store on State Street that you see in the flash-back footage into it's current location, which used to be a supermarket.
One time, when I was little, my mother tried to take me to get shoes somewhere else to get new shoes, and the entire time were were in the other store I kept saying, "I don't know why we're here, I ONLY get my shoes at Reyers."
EDIT: I failed to mention that Jessica's grandmother is from Brockway, and she and her sisters used to drive to Sharon for the express purpose of getting shoes at Reyers. We call her to see if she wants anything every time we head up there.
Posted by: Brendan in house, election on
Nov 19, 2008
With all the hubub regarding the inauguration in January, there have been a lot of news reports about the lack of hotels in the D.C. area.
The question is, should we rent out our guest room? Maybe we could do a package deal where we include transportation to the Metro.
Or we could take in a friend or relative, I guess.
We do have inflatable mattresses, too. I wonder how much we can get for them...
Posted by: Jessica in nerd, family, books on
Nov 18, 2008
In my genealogical research, I've found that I am 7th cousin, 4 times removed (that is hardly related at all) of Emily Dickenson. Just gives me an excuse to pull out my book, and try and recall some favorites.
1383
Long Years apart -- can make no
Breach a second cannot fill --
The absence of the Witch does not
Invalidate the spell --
The embers of a Thousand Years
Uncovered by the Hand
That fondled them when they were Fire
Will stir and understand --
1158
Best Witchcraft is Geometry
To the magician's mind --
His ordinary acts are feats
To thinking of mankind.
At least, these were some I had marked back in college. Who knows what would catch my eye these days.
Posted by: Jessica in muskoxen, friends on
Nov 18, 2008
The bachelor/bachelorette party went pretty well for all persons involved. We had Japanese at a cute little place in the city (emphasis on the little), Zento. Everything was presented beautifully. And it was good, too! Then salsa lessons at a place just down the block. Shockingly, out of 11 of us who went dancing, I was one of the three who finished the lesson. I was not as bad at it as I thought I was going to be.
Plus, I talked to people. And it seemed unforced. So thank god for that.
There are a few photos, but I doubt that most will see the light of day. Nothing bad, just a little off-kilter.
Sunday was a little rough around the edges for everyone, and it took some time Monday to get back in the swing but it wasn't so bad, and it was totally worth it.
Posted by: Jessica in family, cooking on
Nov 14, 2008
Meat pie is one of Brendan's favorites. I felt like being a little extra-nice today -- you know so he remembers how much he loves me when he's out with the boys tomorrow night -- so we had some for dinner tonight.
It's ridiculously simple to make. Chop up some onion, slice some potatoes, put it all in some very liberally salted water and bring just to a boil. Then crumble in some ground beef and cook it all until the potatoes are done. Then transfer it to a casserole dish. The topping is just the Bisquick biscut recipe, rolled out. Put the whole thing in the oven until it's golden brown and done.
Personally, I would like to have some more ingredients in there: carrots, celery, herbs... but then it wouldn't be meat pie (or so I'm told).
Brendan sure does like it, though.
