Beloved Vermont hit by Irene

I love visiting Vermont, and it was with a heavy heart that I listened to and watched all of the reports on the destruction there by Hurricane Irene's wrath.
These Associated Press photos show some of that destruction. There was loss of life, loss of historic covered bridges, towns under water -- much worse than we had it here.
I know the people of Vermont pride themselves on helping each other and being resourceful. I wish them only the best.

Come on, Irene.... more storm photos

No, there isn't a lot of excitement in Upper Salford on a regular basis. But when there's a storm of the magnitude of Irene, you have to get out and about the next day.
I took lots of photos and tweeted them out with my iPhone, but here are some that my daughter snapped...

The first few photos show the destruction and mayhem on Old Sumneytown Pike near Long Mill Road in Upper Salford:

Now we move to Lower Salford, and the area near Freeman School Road:

Hope everyone made it through the storm safely... and you can still share your photos with The Reporter. Tweet to @lansreporter or email to citydesk@thereporteronline.com

Hurricane Irene ... after the main storm

My daughter is a much better photographer than I am, so here are a few post-hurricane shots.
Thanks, Danielle, for the photos... and thanks for the company in the basement last night with the cats during the tornado warnings...

CORN DAMAGE ON NEIGHBOR'S FARM IN UPPER SALFORD

A NEW CANYON IN MY DRIVEWAY ... THANKS, IRENE!

LUCKILY THESE TREES STOOD FIRM...

BIT OF A MESS AT THE END OF MY YARD...

AND A BIT OF BEAUTY

Earthquake hits; I feel nothing

I won't be tacky and say the earth didn't move for me.
OK, I just said it... sorry. But everyone here in the newsroom is shrieking around about having an earthquake, I'm in an office with floor-to-ceiling windows and feel nothing.
Nada. Zip. Only one other person in the newsroom admits to also missing the whole earth-moving experience.
It's horrible to feel left out of a news-maker like this, especially when you work for a news media operation! How embarrassing.
But plenty of our audience felt it -- at least I got lots of reaction from my tweets and Facebook posting.
But still, my face is red. Maybe next time.
To make up for it, here are some photos from my walk last night on the Perkiomen Trail near Spring Mount. It was a beautiful night for a hike ... no earthquakes there, either.

Cape Cod, part 2

As promised, here are a few more photos from my Cape Cod vacation. If I listen real hard, I can still hear the waves!

Just another beautiful Cape sunset...

Peace, quiet, beauty...

Anyone who knows me knows I am not a sports fan. But hey, I like Adam Sandler movies! So when my friend on the Cape wanted to show us the "Green Monster" that had been created for a Sandler movie, I was game... Here it is -- and it was impressive. Alas, it won't be permanent. But I do want to see the movie now.

With any luck, I may see this lovely beach again next year... such a long time to wait, but worth it!

Vacation at Cape Cod ... just glorious!

Another wonderful vacation has just come to an end ... another wonderful visit to Cape Cod, thanks to my very good, practically lifelong friend. There's no way I could afford such a perfect vacation if not for "Mr. Godshall."
After finally making our first visit last year, I headed up to the Cape again this year with my daughter for another unforgettable visit. The days at the beach, the great food courtesy of our host, the terrific theater nights ... hey, even our one rainy day was fun ... in hindsight!


Of course you have to visit the Edward Gorey house if you go to Cape Cod! Here's just one tiny taste...

Just drink in this beautiful scenery, and you'll understand why it's so relaxing at the Cape, so inviting ... and why vacation flies by much too quickly!

And here's a glimpse of two "beach bums..."
No, I'm not too old to pick up shells and beach rocks...
Yes, I'm the one without the tan!

I'll be sure to share a few more of my daughter's terrific photographs in the next day or so... Thank you, Danielle, for allowing me to showcase some of your work.
And thanks, great friend, for so generously sharing your Cape home!

Shop and help the kitties

 
What are you doing Aug. 27? Hey, don't spend the day sleeping, like my cat Pokey does.
How about shopping -- for a good cause?

Yes, you can shop at Macy's on that Saturday and help Stray Cat Blues, the local no-kill cat rescue, at the same time.
The nonprofit Stray Cat Blues  is participating in Macy's Shop for a Cause event and you can buy a ticket for just $5. Here's how it works
Buy a ticket from Stray Cat Blues for $5. That entitles you to shop at any Macy's and at Macys.com and save 25 percent all day (10 percent on electronics, furniture, mattresses, and rugs/floor coverings).
You also will be eligible for a chance to win a $500 Macy’s gift card (one winner per store).
So consider helping out the kitties while you have fun shopping.
To purchase a ticket, contact Judy Smith at jsmith@bsccpas.com
The kitties will thank you!
And Pokey, well, he'll just keep on sleeping, no doubt...