Reflecting Shippensburg

 

On a beautiful Friday afternoon, in late February, I looked up to see Shippensburg reflected in a mirror. 

Exploring Pittsburgh (February 2023)

Pittsburgh has interesting things to see, but one must be aware of the subtle and focus on the places that are not grandiose.

Cherry Way: A disserted cobblestone street in downtown at night. 

A Mural on Court Place, along the bridge war that carries Boulevard of the Allies up the hill, recreating the outfield wall of Forbes Field, which was demolished in 1970. 

Smithfield Bridge, carrying people and automobiles across the Monongahela River, at night from my hotel window. The Duquesne Incline (funicular) is seen in the background. 

Pittsburgh vs. New Jersey (18 February 2023)

 

 As I was driving to Pittsburgh, “Empires” by Elbow came around on my iPod; it seemed the appropriate song for the weekend in relation to the Penguins. The previous night they would give up a two-goal lead to the Islanders and mistakes and lackluster play would be a hallmark of the game again New Jersey. There would be flashes of brilliance, but not the sustained play that is required of a team to make a successful playoff run. On the other hand, New Jersey is an up and coming team that looks poised to be good for several years.

Score

	1	2	3	F
New Jersey	1	2	2	5
Pittsburgh	1	0	1	2

 

Goals

Scorer	Assists	Time
Evgeni Malkin (20)	Rakell Letang	3:33 / 1st	NJ 0, Pit 1	PPG
Dawson Mercer (13)	Hischier Tatar	4:53 / 1st	NJ 1, Pit 1
Dougie Hamilton (16)	Hischier Hughes	3:47 / 2nd	NJ 2, Pit 1	PPG
Nico Hischier (22)	Sharangovich	8:25 / 2nd	NJ 3, Pit 1	SHG
Jesper Bratt (22)	Hughes Sharangovich	8:39 / 3rd	NJ 4, Pit 1
Evgeni Malkin (21)	Petry	14:43 / 3rd	NJ 4, Pit 2
Nico Hischier (23)	Mercer	17:56 / 3rd	NJ 5, Pit 2	EN

 

 

The Clowder Turns Five

 

A typical winter evening in front of the fire

I do not like the idea of my kittens getting older, they are such good cats (well, most of the time). Emerging from the pandemic restrictions we have begun to travel more. The pandemic has had many, sometimes weird, effects upon us. The Clowder has been no exception; not seeing as many people and having us home all the time changed their behaviors, as well as ours, in subtle ways. As we spent more time at home, on the back porch, and having more things delivered, Lucie, Pip, and Coco adjusted to new routines that we did not anticipate. They got more and sustained attention from their humans, the privilege of exploring and sitting on the back porch, even when the weather precluded us from spending time there, and more interesting boxes to play with and sleep in.  

As I write this, it reinforces just what crazy cat people we are. Yet, it is difficult to imagine my life without these three fur generating machines that keep me laughing and entertained, even if I have to suffer the allergic reactions that inevitably follow.

Lucie has developed a new habit: a tendency to stand by the food dish, even when full, and incessantly meow. One would think that she wants more food or is expressing some apprehension that the food dish might not be completely full. That might be, but ultimately what she wants is for use to pet her (rub her back, I might say) at which point she begins to loudly purr and begins to eat. If we continue to pet her, she continues to purr and eat. I usually say something along the lines that she is a very spoiled cat.

Pip, on the other hand, likes what I call his “spa session.” When the dryer is on, he jumps and lays fully splayed to soak up the warmth. He often loudly calls to us, wanting to be brushed. If one of us obliges, which how can one not, he is in a state of ecstasy. He is willing to turn himself inside out during these sessions. He is a happy cat.  

Coco has developed into a persistent and stubborn cat. She does not really meow, but chirps and chatters that often sounds more like a complaint than an appeal for attention. She likes to watch television, seeming liking hockey games when she remembers to make the climb up the steps when I am on. She is seemingly excited, or exercised, by the analysis between periods of Jay Caulfield as he telestrates (demonstrates using graphics on the screen) plays from the previous period. When Caufield begins speaking, Coco’s ears perk up, her attention fixed on the screen. When lines begin to be drawn on the screen, demonstrating where player went, or should have went, Coco starts chattering, perhaps offering alternative interpretations. She jumps us on the television stand and paws at the screen offering her own opinion.

Once again, we traveled as a cat-human family to Skaneateles for a vacation. Each of them have grown accustomed to the apartment we rented and enjoy the back deck there, especially in the evening.

 

(More to Come) 

Clouse Road Sign

 

Along the side of a lightly traveled road, where there are only three houses over the stretch of about a mile, a sign hangs near a field. It once indicated something, but it is a message no longer discernible. Perhaps the message is no longer relevant, such as identifying a farm stand that no longer exists. Nevertheless, it is a lost communication between humans never to be recovered. The wooden sign, with plants trying to take it over, stands as a reminder that someone, at some point, thought it was important to communicate something to others. Perhaps not as consequential as a first century ruin of a long forgotten deity, or a burial marker for people whose beliefs we cannot fathom. But an attempt by someone to be heard or seen, to convey something that was important, but is no longer understood.