Susan Patton Squared

Project 15 - Day 117

It was a date with destiny. No matter how you feel about that sort of thing, you will never convince me otherwise. It all began last November (you can read about it here), when a random comment appeared in my blog. There was another Susan Patton out there, another Susan Patton with two sons, a passion for photography, and a western PA upbringing. I was intrigued.

Over the past 8 months we two Susans have been communicating via email and through family and friends. It seems we have a lot of connections. She sent her good friend, who was visiting Marco, to meet me. My sister looked her up at a local function this spring. We know people, who know us both. Her grandparents and my parents were acquaintances. It's all wonderfully bizarre, especially when you consider our roughly 20-year age difference.

It should come as no surprise that we eventually had to meet. I was in town. She found a baby sitter and carved time out of her busy schedule. I put family on hold for the afternoon. This wasn't just lunch, it was a date with destiny and perhaps my younger alter ego. I was excited. I had butterflies. I couldn't wait for her to get there. And I wasn't disappointed.

I think I ate lunch. I know I talked too much. (Susan there were so many things I didn't ask you..I'll write them down for the next time.) And the afternoon flew by. I knew she had things to do, but I couldn't seem to let her go. There was talk of family, friends, Camp Lambec and of course photography. A lot of talk about photography. She is a beautiful person inside and out.

Before we parted we cornered a nice man and had him snap a picture. After all, this meeting of the Susans had to be documented. You can't get two camera loving SPs together and not have a photo op. (In case you can't tell us apart I'm the one with the glasses.) Then all too soon it was time to go.

Susan, meeting you face to face was better than home-made custard (and that was pretty darn good). I'm looking forward to the next time. Can we make it next week if I promise to paint?

1,000 Faces Update, cont.

Project 15 - Day 117

This will be the final installment of 1,000 Faces, at least for a few days. There is another family gathering on Saturday so stay tuned.

Florence

Florence, Flo, Flos, Flossie, Flo Baby, Mom, Gram & Grammy. So many names accumulated in a long, well lived life. She birthed me, and raised me and I assure you that as a teen I had several other names for her. None of which are fitting for a family friendly blog ;-). She instilled her work ethic and family values...or else. I guess someone had to out-stubborn me. (I wonder where I got that gene?)

Judi

Big Sister, Mother, Nanny, Friend. Jud's my big sis and hates to have her picture taken. In fact I can hear her when she sees this one..."when did she take that? I don't remember her taking my picture." You have to sneak up on her when she's not looking and that's just what I did. Judi's fun loving, stubborn (it's a strong family trait) and friend to one and all. I can list my closest friends on one hand, she would need a notebook. Judi loves kids and kids lover her. In fact my own granddaughter would pick her over me in a heart beat. Maybe I should pay more attention.

Howard

Howard, Howie, Dad, Pa. Howard belongs to Judi or vice verse. He saves EVERYTHING. Seriously, need a thingamabob for a wathcamacallit from 30 years ago? Howie's your man. And if he doesn't have it, I'll bet he knows someone who does. He too is fun-loving and kind and doesn't mind that we all pick on him. I guess he knows we do it cause we love him.

J.R.

James, Jamie, J.R., Junior, Daddy. J.R. is son to Judi & Howard, brother to Jodi & Daddy to Emily. He is hard-working, tough, and a push over where his daughter is concerned. I believe his heart turned to mush on the day she was born. Oh and if you need anything from the bakery, just give him a call he is a baker extraordinaire.

Amy

Amy, Ame, Mom....h'mmm why aren't there more names here? The family will have to work on this one. Amy is wife to J.R. and Mom to Emily. She is mischievous and fun, and loves her daughter more than life. I should warn you in advance, if she pays you a visit you better hide the chocolate.

Victoria Marie

Victoria Marie is a real cutie. She's also a virtual stranger who happened along on the 4th of July. She is my first step towards photographing strangers. Which is something I need to practice, a lot, if I have any hope of capturing those 1,000 face. But isn't she adorable? That hair, those curls, those eyes!

Carole

Carole is friendly, kind, caring and thoughtful. She is close to the top on Jud's list of friends and daughter to Mrs. M. She's also occasional dog sitter to Henna. She too spent many years as an educator and I imagine her students loved her. How could they not?

Clyde

Clyde, whose name has been changed to protect the innocent (mainly his wife), is the comedian of the group. In fact I think we're going to get him a gig on SNL for his antics. His wife insisted on severing all ties when he whipped out his teeth to smile for the camera. Clyde is a hard working man with a zest for life & an itch to retire. He's welcome to come back to Florida for a visit, but only if he puts his teeth in his mouth.

19 down - 981 to go

1,000 Faces, Update

Project 15 - Day 116

With the number of family in western PA you knew it was only a matter of time before a 1,000 Faces Update would appear. I have to tell you, there are skeptics out there who don't think this will happen. How can they possibly doubt? I guess they will just have to keep tuning in to see if I make it or not. But remember there's no time limit on this one...it may take 20 years!

Liam

Liam is one of the great-nephew's on The Kid's side of the family. He's a soon to be two-year old who loves balls of all kinds and never sits still. Sounds like another soon to be two-year old I know.

Kiera

This little punkin has a smile a mile wide and have you ever seen such big blue eyes?

Austin

What can I say about Austin? He is full of mischief and will charm the socks right off of your feet. He's got a lot to say to anyone who will listen and don't you just want to grab hold of those cheeks and squeeze?

Ayla

Ayla is big sister to Liam and another busy pre-schooler. She's a shy little angel with the devil in her eye. Believe it, it's true.

Emily

Emily is a great-niece on my side of the family. She is going to be a long legged beauty when she grows up. She is as sweet as a jar of honey and as stubborn as 3 mules. And that's the truth.

Logan

Logan is also one of the greats on my side of the family. He and his brother are sporting their annual summer do...the Mohawk. It's been a tradition since they were little guys. Logan is another sweetheart that has the devil in his eye. And beware if you meet him, he just might asks ya a question.

Patrick

Patch is brother to Logan and a soon to be teen. Yikes, when did that happen? He put his elementary school on the academic map this spring with a 2nd place individual metal at the national academic games in Cincinnati. He loves football and is a kind and caring young man.

Jodi

Jodi is another great niece. (Great niece not great-niece, did you catch that?) She is Mom to Patrick and Logan and has a knack at making people laugh. We two have a long history together. When she was a baby I took her with me everywhere I went when I was home from school for the weekend. Now she drives herself. Oh, and she's available should anyone be interested. But be advised all potential suitors will be screened by the Mohawk sporting boys above and they're not push-overs.

11 down - 989 to go

Tuesday Morning

Project 15 - Day 115

Life in the smaller communities of western Pennsylvania meanders along at a pace not unlike the local streams flowing southward on a hot August afternoon. Change is slow to come to this area of once thriving steel mills. We think that's a good thing. It makes it easier for us to get around...we don't need a GPS to find the local diner.

We found it on Tuesday morning, just in time for breakfast.

The menu was bursting with home cooked options at prices we haven't seen on our island for twenty years.

The service was also impeccable. Of course that may have had something to do with the fact that more tables were unoccupied than not. Regardless, our little waitress earned a tidy little tip from The Kid with her pleasant smile and prompt service.

In between working on my scratch-off lottery ticket. (I won enough to cover the cost of breakfast, just so you know) I snapped a few photos.

This is Amish country. Horse drawn carriages and women in long dresses are common sights along the back roads of Lawrence County. They are a reminder of a by-gone era and a reason to stop and give thanks that at least some change has taken place here in the past 100 years. Those clothes look like misery to me on days like Tuesday when the mercury hit 100 degrees.

On the way home we couldn't pass up a visit to the Apple Castle where baskets of apples lined the shelves along with blue berries, cherries and a wagon load of fresh corn.

It's the first of the season and we couldn't say no.

They even provided a place to shuck the corn. It would be better if they did it for you...but I guess that's asking too much.

It was a good morning. And it's going to be a better evening, just as soon as that corn is ready for consumption.

Mrs. M.

Project 15 - Day 114

The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven,
Upon the place beneath.
It is twice blessed.
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.
W. Shakespeare

If you had told me back in 1967 that one day I would spend my 4th of July holiday enjoying the company of my freshman English teacher, I would never have believed you. But that's exactly where I found myself this past Sunday, some 43 years later. The above photo is not a good one, my apologies Mrs. M. But good enough to pay tribute to a dedicated educator and genuinely nice lady.

I remember a few things about Mrs. M and freshman English. The first thing that comes to mind is control. Mrs. M was always in control of her class, which is one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much. The other reason was literature, quality stuff. The kind that makes you think. Robert Frost and William Shakespeare. She had a knack for breaking it down and presenting it in a way that hormone satiated 15 year olds could grasp, even appreciate. One of the requirements of her class was to memorize and recite Portia's mercy speech from The Merchant of Venice. I can't do it today, but she can.

I don't remember a lot of details from that year, with the exception of my first real date taking place sometime after Christmas. But I am certain that I didn't truly appreciate Mrs. M and the values she instilled in her students by her example. Her standards were high, her patience unending and anyone who made an effort was rewarded with a clear understanding of the subject matter at hand and a life lesson on perseverance.

One of the regrets that comes with age is an awareness of missed opportunities. The realization that we have failed to thank those who have had a positive impact on our lives. I realize that it is 43 years over due but Mrs. M...thank you. Thank you for setting high standards and expecting that they be met. Thank you for your patience. Above all thank you for sharing your wisdom and yourself with your students for all those years.

And Mrs. M., if you happen to read this please don't grade me on grammar or punctuation. There were some things that just never sunk in.

Lil Sis and the Lake

Project 15 - Day 113

It's good to be back in western Pennsylvania. Good to be back home. This past weekend we were invited to spend an afternoon at Pymatuning Lake with The Kid's little sis and her family. Since we rarely get to see them all in one place we jumped at the opportunity. It was also a trip down memory lane for The Kid who spent many summers on the lake during his childhood, in the very spot we visited...or so he said.

There were great-nieces and nephews...everywhere.

There were fathers and sons;

mothers and daughters.

Brothers and sisters;

and daughters and mothers.

There was laughter and

crazy foot wear. (Where on earth did he get these?)

There were a few thoughtful moments

but mostly smiles all around.

Many thanks to little sis and her crew for inviting us to spend the day with them. We had a great time with all of you. See you in October.

Apologies to Shawn...your photos didn't turn out so good. But you're still adorable!

Celebrate Freedom

Project 15 - Day 112

Happy 4th of July.

Drive By Shootings

Project 15 - Day 111

I'm beginning to suspect that I might be a little A.D.D., maybe even a lot A.D.D. I can no longer spend hours in the car without some sort of entertainment. The Kid is only good for chatting during the first 15 minutes of the drive. He then retreats into the far reaches of his mind and solves the world's problems. He contemplates things like fixing the energy crisis, surviving on our little island in the event of a complete economic melt down by catching rainwater in the pool, purifying it with rocks and twigs and learning how to start a fire with his bare hands. He also provides instruction on how to drive on the interstate without ever finding the need to use the breaks. I on the other hand believe that since breaks are standard equipment on all vehicles, we ought to just go ahead and use them.

In previous years I would sit contentedly in the passenger seat watching the miles whiz by; happy to be going somewhere, anywhere. Not any more. I wiggle and I fidget. I need something to do. I need entertainment. On this trip I played Warren Buffet. I made millions, 105 to be exact, just sitting at my computer pushing buttons on the slot machine. It's unfortunate that the cash I accrued will not transfer into my bank bank account. It could use the boost and life would take on a whole new world of possibilities. I might even be able to purchase my own cruise ship.

Sometimes I break out the Nikon and do some drive-by shooting. It's a challenge getting sharp photos at 80 mph. I did get a few on day two as we zipped through Virginia, West Virgina and finally Pennsylvania. I thought I'd share them with you. I'm good like that.

Virginia Hay Barn

Power Lines

Tunnel Vision

Alone on a Hill

Allegheny River, PA

I've been wondering, if The Kid finds a solution to the energy crisis, do you think I could buy that cruise ship?

Because

Project 15 - Day 110

Because:

• It's Friday
• I'm traveling and don't have a lot of internet time
• Am not feeling very "creative" this evening. (All that traveling and all.)
• They are there and I am here
• I miss them berry, berry much
• I know you must be missing them too

And mostly because I love them more than ice cream.

Happy Friday.