SHE'S LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM

Twenty years ago this month I was blessed to work with an extraordinary colleague in Lithuania. We have kept in touch over the decades and yesterday we finally had a reunion in person in New Jersey. What a happy moment, what an amazing story! Egle (egg-LAY) has lived the classic American dream of an ambitious determined immigrant. From being an exceptional translator in Lithuania, to experience in the U.S. as a caregiver, to taking a job in an inner-city school in New Jersey, to becoming the Principal of that school!

Crazy details include her first assignment ---teaching English to American kids! Leaving her husband and son for months at a time but then bringing them to America to be a whole family again! (Her husband no doubt sacrificed the most.) Being helped out by an Irish-Italian family at every turn! Not wanting to be Principal but taking the job because she could (and did) revitalize the doomed school! Raising a son who arrived wide-eyed at age 14 and is now an honours Fordham graduate at Price-Waterhouse (and also brews beer, has been a caddie, and bought a Mustang with his own earnings)! And more and more. Egle is on the list of Most Distinguished Teachers of America, and seems to be an unstoppable force for progress and optimism with a loving touch. We were overwhelmed and agog at this human dynamo. I am proud to be her friend.

We recovered from the reunion with a walk in peaceful Central Park and bustling Times Square. Then a fast 10-hour drive home today to find that the gardens and trees have grown and blossomed, just like remarkable Egle.

THE FOGGIEST NOTION

The last two days have been like running around in a fog. Literally. Both mornings have started in drizzle and low visibility, but have cleared up later in the day. Yesterday we were caught in heavy rain and got stranded at a subway exit meeting dozens of people from around the world, also waiting out the downpour. Then walked around --- Statue of Liberty emerging, World Trade Center rising, ducks mating in view of the so-called financial capital of the world. Then up to Times Square, a real shot of energy and crowd scene. Even saw our old friend Tim. Lined up for half-price seats to the musical play Peter and the Starcatchers. A whimsical, fun, well-acted, really creative show, basically a prequel to Peter Pan. Back out on the street we see hundreds of sailors from an international sail-in to honour the U.S. Memorial Day weekend. Lock up your daughters!! Oh, and your sons?!

Another all-day drive today, again out in heavy fog. The beaches of Long Island. The quaint charm of the Hamptons. Privacy hedges as thick as the quiche at the Blue Duck Bakery! Exotic cars old and new. The smell of money in the air, like the early roses lining the sidewalks. The day was somewhat spoiled by the ridiculous congestion and expensive toll roads. But at the end of the day, the last bridge was swirling in fog but the skyline said welcome home.

UPPER AND DOWNER

Drove into New Jersey from Pennsylvania. The surprise is that much of NJ is deeply forested, hilled, and rivered. Only when you get near the industrial portlands does it get rusty, grotty, and dirty. We're staying with an Australian friend who is house-swapping for a few weeks to be near Manhattan. Couldn't get much nearer, a shuttle bus gets to downtown NYC in 15 minutes for $3! Funky Hispanic neighbourhood, great views of skyline.

Walked over from the bus terminal to the High Line. This was an elevated train line that served industries such as meat packing in New York's heyday. It became derelict, weeded over, and condemned. But it's been rescued and revived as an elevated urban park, about a mile long.  Very cool, with thick greenery and whimsical art. So cool that a hotel has been built next to it ---- exhibitionists have a great time trying to shock New Yorkers that have seen everything! A real upper-level upper in creativity and city-saving. Something that Toronto needs in a big way.

Then today a 3-hour drive along Snookie's Jersey Shore to Atlantic City. You know, casinos, glitz, and Miss America pageants?? What a shock to find the famous boardwalk faded, almost deserted, and definitely disappointing (depressing?). The old section has the fake castles, turrets, and mega-parking structures with gaudy signs. The new section has bland and blank monoliths, even more severe in the fog. The slots spin no matter what, but for us it was a real downer. Highlight of the day?? ---- the salad bar at Ruby Tuesdays!

JUMPING RIGHT INTO IT

Drove off at dawn yesterday for a much-anticipated rendezvous with our friend in New Jersey. Traffic very light because it's a holiday in Canada, the weather cooperating with sunny and warm. Blossoms and plowed fields everywhere and the drive uneventful til we stopped at Niagara Falls for a lunch break. Streets crowded with families and group tours being gobsmacked by the sight of so much water. Might be the most accessible big waterfall in the world. We walked among the sideshows and fast food buffets.

Then there was a commotion at the rail. A guy had jumped over, falling 150 feet, but not into the water which would have been certain death. Instead, he landed within 100 feet of the fallsview platform, still alive. Some people thought he should be rescued, others not so much. I thought the rescuers could just take the tourist elevator down, walk over to the guy, and bring him up quickly. Nope. 10 trucks, 20 firefighters and cops, and tons of equipment gathered up top. Two guys rappelled down the cliff face and THEN walked over to the guy with a backboard. An hour later, a medivac helicopter arrived from distant Toronto and airlifted him to hospital. Who paid for all this, and why the complications? (We read later that he was a 40-year old and will live.)

After that surreal show, we motored on through upper New York state and down into Pennsylvania for the night.Rain and fog in the Poconos. Or as they say around here, Poke-A-Nose ---- like the guy who face-planted at the Falls!

05 May 2012: THE BARE BEAR FACTS

Our neighbour down the hill showed us a pile of a bear's calling card the other day. Amazingly, the bear had dumped right at the roadside ---- what a drive through!  Then we started noticing damage around our own house. A mason bee box had been torn apart. The pole-mounteed bird feeder was smashed. A hanging feeder had been carried off and destroyed. Yup, we've got a bear.

Not hard to find more evidence. The window sill and feeder pole have bearpaw scratches. Clear footprints in the soft ground are 6" in length ---- an adult black bear, common around here. And if you're still skeptical, how about the greasy turd mound on the lawn?? Too big for a racoon, too little for a passing elephant.

I repaired the pole feeder and rigged up some motion detector lights --- if we're feeding the critter, at least we should get a sighting?! Settled in at the window for a long night's vigil. By midnight, all we had was a reluctant racoon and droopy eyelids. So if you've got bleeding hearts for the bear, so do we!