The Crossing Guard of Old Tappan

Occassionally over the years I've see him standing guard at a busy intersection in Old Tappan as I drove past; I'd watch with curiosity, bewilderment and some fear for his safety.  But keeping up his reappearances after all this time has certainly proven himself one old, cranky bird!

And I mean that seriously.  Clearly he's not there to help anyone cross the road, he's there to make sure they don't.

Today I sat at the traffic light (hoping it would not turn green!) and got a pretty good laugh as I saw him spread his wings, harrassing a police officer that had stopped by (to protect him? to gawk at him like I was and take pictures?)  The cop was in his SUV in the middle of the road, allowing traffic to pass him in both directions, as the turkey pecked on the drivers side door with all feathers fanned out.  It was like the most beautiful life size Thanksgiving decoration I'd ever seen!! I was like, "Hey, I have salt and pepper shakers that look like that."  Ha!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to catch Cranky Mr. Turkey in his fanned out glory but I did capture these shots-- from very far away.  I pulled over at the church on the corner and used my auto zoom to get upclose.  And then I saw him peck at a car driving by and RUN with the car as it drove away... And then I took a few more steps back.  Careful to stay in very close range of my car!

But anyway, this turkey is so funny.  For years he has been stalking this interesection, probably there should be a human crossing guard since there is a school a block away, but I have a feeling Cranky Mr. Turkey has replaced that position.  I don't always see him when I go past his traffic light, but when I do see him, he stalks his post regularly for a few weeks at least.  Oddly, this intersection is located in one of the busiest spots in town, with long established suburban sprawl on three sides. He is nothing if not determined, brave and bossy.

Trivia Fact #1: Did you know that Benjamin Franklin wanted a wild turkey to be the national emblem of the United States? (y'know, instead of a bald eagle?)  Well apparently one of the reasons it was voted down was because wild turkeys are supposed to be so damn vicious.  One minute watching this bird and I can attest, yes, they are!

Trivia Fact #2: I learned trivia fact #1 in Middle School Social Studies, High School Social Studies and (four times) in a random College Art Class (my prof was senile and repeated himself often.)  And each time a teacher told us it was as if no one ever knew that piece of trivia!  So trivia fact #2 is that apparently trivia fact #1 is pretty widely known. Now you know.

Busy Day

Today I'm in the mood for work.  The kind with checklists a mile long.  I hatched this plan late yesterday afternoon while sitting at the kitchen table, waiting for a phone call - with watching Oprah and seeing a movie with a friend on my evenings list of "to-do's".  I have a lot of things I need to do, I thought and I wrote down an action plan for today.

Let's get this straight, I make a lot of lists.  Often, most of the things don't get done.  The day before I have the best of intentions but more often than not, something gets in the way: extreme exhaustion, interuptions, tasks taking longer than anticipated or maybe I just feel like baking instead. The possibilities are endless.

So this morning I popped up.  Literally. (I never pop out of bed.)  I marveled at the good nights sleep. (I never get a good nights sleep.)  And I happily took the dog out in the 10' degree arctic chill (I never happily take the dog out.)  I scurried around and made coffee, breakfast, watched Matt and Meredith banter about, went to the gym, went to visit Grandma.  And right about now I'm feeling pretty good.  Accomplished.

Next up:
laundry
filing
wedding planning
finding a plumber to fix a leaky pipe in the roof (or should I be looking for a roofer?)
bathroom cleaning



Wish me luck.

9th Storm of the Season

The 9th storm of the season is currently rolling through dropping sleet and freezing rain in its path.  Which is just lovely.  It has turned our looooong paved driveway into an ice skating rink.  We cleared a path in the yard for our dog to use but that is too currently iced over.  When he runs out there to pee, nearly all four legs go in different directions - it is so funny! (But must be a pain if he really has to "go!")

This afternoon we have a meeting with the caterer for the wedding, I'm excited to go over some food options.  My favorite part of weddings (well, food in general) is the appetizers and desserts - which I know exactly what I want.  On the entrees, I'm still a little fuzzy, so I might let Dustin or my Mom take the reigns.  It is important to have good food at a wedding.  Tonight we're going out for Japanese with my sister M and her boyfriend E.  It was E's birthday yesterday.  Celebrate!

One of the great joys in life...

... listening to your dog snore late at night.  Happily sleeping.

Ice Storm & Groundhogs Day

Today is the 8th storm we've had so far here in the Northeast this winter.  Along with that, it's an ice storm which "they say" is the worst of them all.  There is a half inch of ice covering every surface which includes car doors, long drive ways, beautiful tree branches and flat roofs.  Sounds beautiful, but after you breathe it all in for a minute, a heavy gloom settles on your shoulders.  How to clean it up!  Fortunately my dashing fiance is outside in his blue basketball shorts, a bright orange sweatshirt and work boots (can't miss 'em!) shoveling, pushing and battling the ice away while letting a few explatives escape from his mouth.  To top it off, clouds of sleet and cold rain have been dropping by often this morning.  It is a dreary day.

Don't get me wrong, I usually love the snow.  Go outside for some playing and shoveling, emerging back into a warm house with a happy dog and a mug of hot chocolate.  It sounds like a lovely way to spend a winters day to me.  But this storm is not that senario above - this is old man winter and he is miiiiiiighty pissed off today.  And he's making us work (or rather, my fiance) big time.

I think it's rather funny of the old man to throw us a nasty storm on Groundhogs Day.  Cleaning up the driveway, sidewalks, every inch of winter living space for the 8th! time this winter.  With no warm sun or dead grass in sight. Very funny of him - tuche old man, you have won this one today.  It certainly is Groundhogs Day.