31 years in West Chester

 

 Do you remember what you were doing 31 years ago? Does anybody? Well for us, 31 years ago...on this day, we moved to West Chester. I was born in Upper Darby, not too far from Philly, but still part of Delaware county. The house was getting smaller as our family was getting bigger. We found a new place, and who knew.... I would still be living there today.

 When we moved it, I guess.... I wouldn't remember, but we met our neighbors. One we would be friends with even to today. Other neighbors... well one across from us moved a few years later and the other neighbors that were next door, we didn't get along with them. My brother and I made friends and well it seemed the time went by before our eyes

 When we were kids, we wanted a pool in our backyard, but we settled for a swing set. In 1999, we had a fence put in for our new dog, Fudge. As the time went by, the backyard changed. Having our swing set destroyed to getting a new deck placed.

But what was going on 31 years ago? Not just today, but the year in genral? Well... Jeffrey Dahlemer was arrested after a shooting in the subway. George H. W. Bush was still president, Soviet Union ended its reign. Terminator, Hook, Silence of the Lambs were in theaters. Fashion from 1991... well, I don't remember much. I started first grade at an Elementary school in East Goshen, and tried to make friends as well

 West Chester changed since 1991. Different stores came and went while others still are there. People are different, technology is different and our lives.... are different. Not knowing what the city was like in 1991, one thing was true... we moved here.

What really has changed in the 31 years we have moved here? Well, the house we lived in for one. We had to change a few things from the carpets in our bedroom being torn off to wallpaper disappearing. Painting different rooms like my bedroom and my brother's as well. We got rid of the linolium floors in the kitchen and replaced it with tile.

Much has changed, but one thing is still the same. If you stayed in a house, you have lived in for over 30 years, that's one place that is meant to be called home. Happy Anniversary. 31 one years of home sweet home

Did I just see Halloween Candy now?- Poem

 

Still hot outside,

as August nears,

I soon see,

in the corner of my eye,

Halloween Candy

It can't be true, 

but it is,

it seems,

Summer,

is starting to fade,

The autumn seasons

on the shelf,

from the candy,

to the cinnamon,

to pumpkin flavored latte

I know summer is near its end,

but it feels,

as if,

it is going quicker than we thought

the spices of autumn,

mixing with summer fun,

doesn't sound,

like anyone will enjoy,

the festivities,

summer gives us,

With August near,

it's clear to see,

it is ending,

before autumn begins

Candy is dandy,

anytime of the year,

but themed with,

autumn, 

and pumpkin shaped candies,

not worth it,

when summer,

is still here

Don't get crazy just yet,

don't bring in your grills,

and put out your pumpkin,

let's enjoy each month,

and deal with,

Halloween candy,

in the summer heat

Summer is going by fast

 

      Why does this happen to us every year? We start out summer with everyone being so happy, and by mid-July, we feel it slipping through our fingers. Sometimes we want it to stay just so we can feel the warmth on our skin as we stay home from school

   And then, before August, Halloween Candy arrives. It seems that summer is not meant to stay. After Mother's Day, it seems to start up with summer clothing and accessories on sale at certain Walmart and Target stores. And after the Fourth of July, it's gone

  But this summer, all we have to remember is how HOT it has been. From here in America to now in Europe where some people barely have an air conditioner in their home. Some fans are being blown on us 24/7. Our ice cream and chocolate bars melt before we make it home from the grocery store. 

  Pools and beaches are crowded for people to get some relief this summer. Kids try to stay cool as the sun beats down on them. Some pools are over capacitated. Some states are receiving hotter temperatures than others. 

 This summer, although not yet over, has been one of the hottest we've ever had. I'm dreading our winter so far. The hotter our summer was, the colder our winter will be. Summer is like sand in an hourglass. When the sand goes to the bottom, Summer is over.

   Why does Summer go by so fast for us? Who knows, I guess it's just how it is. Summer comes and goes. So do the other three seasons. Bur this summer was so hot...we might need the relief from the heat of hell this Summer has given us

 At least summer isn't gone just yet but going by so fast. It's only July. Near the end of course and it seems the quicker it goes by, the longer it takes for it to come back. Enjoy the summer while you can, no matter how fast it goes.

What's better: Pretzels or Potato Chips

 

        

          With salty snacks everywhere these days, there are two that are considered the most popular. Popcorn would be in third place, but what about Pretzels and Potato chips? Where do we rank them? For me, it's hard because I like both snacks. Especially low sodium chips and soft pretzels. But which conquers which?

  Let's start with potato chips, shall we? Created by an angry chef in Saratoga, New York, he was requested to slice the potatoes for the fries thinner. Angry, he made them paper thin and fried them. Soon, potato chips were born.

   From Herr's to Lays to Utz and chip brands you don't hear from anymore; potato chips became a worldwide sensation. Most of the potatoes are used in Idaho, Pennsylvania, New York and other famers that store their own potatoes in fields to create their own style of potato chip.

       When it comes to different styles of potato chips, you can get them salted, un-salted, kettle cooked, different flavors or even a chip that is more a crisp than a chip. Even a company decided to put chips inside a tube and well.... they made history. Even some chips have ripples so they could hold the dip better.

    Even with some health concerns stating that potato chips aren't good for you at all, but sometimes, it's good to have a salty treat once in a while. For a party, a gig, a picnic, cookouts anything can be useful if you are re quired to bring a salty snack. Potato chips might be the best salty food ever created

    Now, on to pretzels. What do many people know about a snack that can be hard or soft? Salty or not? Well, pretzels are like the snack you go to when you don't want a salty chip. A snack that will be there as the substitute snack when you are out of others. It doesn't make the pretzel horrible; it just makes it interesting.

   The history of how the pretzel was made is shrouded in history as well. Some people think a king created it, or a monk gave a twisted salty snack to the children to keep them quiet after saying their prayers. He called the pretzel name 'pertiola' which means little reward

    There are two types of pretzels. Hard and soft. For me, I go for the soft pretzel all the time. Other companies like Snyders, Rold Gold, Flipz, Dot's pretzels, and many other brands. Mostly in Pennsylvania, they have these pretzel brands. Even Herr's and Utz are known for making hard pretzels

    In Philadelphia, they are known for making soft pretzels. Some places have companies that are devoted to soft pretzel creations. Super Pretzel, Annie's and many more companies are known for only creating soft pretzels. Philly has their own pretzel factory that is mostly around the East coast. I prefer a soft pretzel over a hard one, especially the pretzel nuggets.

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   Some people even combined pretzel and potato chips in one bowl for twice the salt and also for people not to be upset over which is better. Even some sweet snacks started adding the salty cravers. Reese's cups now have some pretzel crunches in there to satisfy a sweet and salty take on snacking. There even was a company, sadly now gone, that used to add flavored chips in a chocolate bar. That's something I would steer clear from.

  So which snack is better? One made from dough and yeast to add salt in their creation, or one that is more from a potato created by accident. In my opinion... I like both chips and potato chips. For me, less salt on my chips and a soft pretzel is what I love. You pick your favorite, I'll take both

Happy Birthday, Tom Hanks

 

   July 9th, 1956, Tom Hanks was born. Today is his birthday. So, for 58 years, how has the last 66 years been treating him? Well, he has entertained us in blockbuster hit, after hit.

    From A League of their own, from Big to even Sully.... Tom Hanks has been in many movies since the 70's and some have been considered Oscar winners while others...well he hasn't had many failure movies but, his past was a little bit different than what it is now

 Born in Connecticut to a hospital worker and a cook, Tom Hanks had no idea he would be not only related to Abraham Lincoln but also Mr. Rogers has well. His parents divorced when he was ten. He and his older brother stayed with their father. His youngest brother, Jim was with the mother. 

   He started out in acting with low budget slasher films like he knows when you're alone and mazes and monsters. They weren't very big hits, but he was mostly seen as a side character at the time.

  He would soon get his big break on a comedy show called Bosom buddies staring the late Peter Scolini. They were men dressed as women to meet girls or something. I don't remember the show. It was a hilarious hit, and Tom would go onto better things in the years to come.

  In the movie BIG, he plays an adult of a young kid who gets grown up by a wish. He works with toys and starts to realize being big isn't all that's cracked up to be. Tom Hanks did a great job. Had some comedy, drama and a bit of heart.

    In 1986, before Big, there was another he stared in called the Burbs. A story about a suburban area where Tom Hanks plays a character who is stalking the new neighbors feeling that there is something fishy about them. Big stars start in it like Corey Feldman, Bruce Dern, Henry Gibson, Carrie Fisher and many more. His suspicions become true when strange things start happening in his town.

    The 90's had Tom Hanks written all over it. A league of their own, where he is a baseball player turned coach to help females participate in baseball while the men were fighting in WWII. In Philadelphia, where Tom Hanks portrays a man with AIDS and is fired for that reason. He starts to sue the company for that.

    Forrest Gump, Greem Mile, you've got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, even voicing a cowboy toy named Woody through four Toy Story movies, and specials. Sometimes, his brother Jim would voice Woody when he was unavailable.

  He starred in some movie in the 2000's. Some I've seen, some I haven't seen many of them. The Green Mile, The Polar Express, Catch me if you can, The terminal and many more. He soon became an executive producer in other projects like My big fat Greek wedding, Connie and Carla and much more. 

   Tom Hanks was married twice. HIs first wife passed away after they divorced, giving birth to his first son Colin. He later remarried to actress Rita Wilson and had more kids. Their marriage has been strong ever since.

    When CoVid hit, Tom and his wife were the first of the celebrities to get it. Happily, they both survived and are doing well today. Not only is Tom Hanks one of the richest celebrities of all, but he is also one of the nicest a well as generous men you would ever want to meet.

   He was reticently seen on camera yelling at a fan who accidently tripped over Rita by accident. They didn't mean to, but it seems Tom was not happy about it. They are getting on in years and Rita could have really injured herself. Unlike what Will Smith did to Chris Rock, it seemed Tom was more approachable with what he said.

   Even what he did seemed harsh, he had a reason. I agree with him. Even if a fan was pushed by someone else, almost knocking Rita down, he had a reason to lash out at them. Tom Hanks is still considered a sweet man and would do anything for his family

 And today is his birthday (along with some other actors like Jimmy Smits). We celebrate him by knowing how amazing he was from is acting to his producing and much more. His children are somewhat like him, and they are too following him in his footsteps. For now, let's with a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to one amazing actor.

Love Conquers all- Poem

 

It's true,

as we see ourselves,

feeling as if,

the world doesn't understand us,

a life,

without love,

is no life at all

When times are stressful enough,

we seek comfort,

companionship,

someone to love us,

for who we are,

on the inside

everyone wants to be loved,

wanting to find it,

through comfort of the heart,

the warmth it feels,

when someone,

loves you back

doesn't matter the sex,

the race,

the value,

of one life,

strong,

when love is involved,

hate,

has no place,

 

in our world,

why we keep seeing sadness,

as we go through,

day by day,

how much,

we care,

about others,

as well,

as ourselves

I love everyone,

and I see no hate,

inside me,

I don't care,

what they look like,

who they are,

or if they're from our town

Straight,

Gay,

Trans,

Bi,

Lesbian,

All words,

that we know,

and sometimes,

others hate

I have no hate,

I see love,

Passion,

and acceptance,

in the world,

and yet,

others feel different

And yet,

others see different,

and want to change,

for the worst,

as I,

am my own person,

I have no hate,

everyday,

we see it,

hear it,

and feel it

We have to change,

for the better,

for love,

to be stronger,

as hate,

becomes weaker

Does it matter who you love,

No,

Do people care,

that you should be,

with your own kind,

I don't feel that way,

while others do,

I feel love every day,

not only from family,

and friends,

but others,

I don't know

As we see more sadness,

we feel the sadness,

as many others,

hate,

hate for what is become,

of this world,

love is stronger,

than hate

And yet,

we see,

more sadness,

and as we do,

we find comfort,

in love,

that strengthens us,

every day,

as others,

find ways,

to survive

Love is strong,

love is fearless,

as it strengthens,

it grows,

into more,

more people,

that start to care,

and embrace,

the power of love

It has no room,

for hate,

as a heart,

filled with love,

feels nothing,

but happiness, 

for one thing is true,

as it is,

every day we wake up,

no matter what happens,

the most powerful strength of all,

is love