Changing landscapes

The Comstock house (a.k.a. Dr. Smith house) is on the move today. Starting early this morning, with oodles of Verizon, National Grid (electric), and police cars and trucks, as well as town residents and news coverage, the wires came down, the trees were trimmed, and the house began its journey down North Avenue, to its new foundation. Since it passed by the elementary school, there were lots of children and teachers taking advantage of this unique sight. This may happen in other towns, but not for a long, long time in Mendon. Of course, I had to join the onlookers, and in the process met and talked with so many folks whom I've not seen in ages. It's "Old Home Week".

Now, the corner looks pitifully bare, sans 3 historic homes that couldn't withstand the progress of commercial development in our little "Hillside Village". Soon there will be a bank (does Mendon need a third bank?) on this corner, still the orchard corner stands bare with no immediate prospects.

Keeping up with emerging technologies

Staying up with emerging technologies is a full-time job. I knew this in the 80s and 90s when I was studying every night just to stay ahead of our students and be able to present to them some technology lessons that were new and pertinent to them. Since retiring, it seems that the rushing tide of progress has overtaken me and I'm feeling left-out most of the time. Now, the newest website to intrigue me is SKYPE. I'm finding frequent references to Skype on different TV programs, and have enjoyed communicating with family and friends via this Internet 'phone' service. On Sunday we had a wonderful chat with Tony in California, the sound and video was fine for the whole hour. It's great to be able to see whomever we are talking to. Just today Tony & I had a long conversation with his cousin in Rome. For some reason, this connection isn't as good as that with California, the call kept dropping and we had to re-connect several times. We couldn't see Ivo today, although last week we could see him just fine, but the audio was poor. The audio wasn't great today, either, but we did manage to get our messages across to each other, despite the frequent lapses in audio. We'll call again on Friday. Tony and Ivo are setting up the itinerary for the 'men's trip' in April. Ivo wants to make sure that they see as much as possible of the sights that they want to take in. He'll be their host for the week that they are there.
A has been here since Sunday, just went home today with her parents. She and I attempted to take a Skyfari ride yesterday, but the ride wasn't operating. We'll try again another day. Grandpa isn't 'into' this venture (he dislikes heights immensely).
Fall weather is creeping up on us. The nights are in the 40s, days in high 50s, low 60s. Tony has taken in the plants and put on the flannel sheets for the bed. He's threatening to don the long-johns, but I told him that he'd better hold off till later or he'll feel much colder during the winter. At least we haven't had to turn on the furnace, yet.
Having water heater thermostat replaced...it's at least 44 years old, maybe older since we don't know when it was put in before we bought the house in 1964. The plumber was skeptical of the age of the heater until he called his supplier with the model number. The supplier laughed at him, but fortunately was able to secure a replacement. I know applicances aren't made as well today so we'll 'baby' this one as long as possible.

Mendon Notes...

Sometimes I forget to update this BLOG, I really don't mean to be secretive about all the wonderful things we do every day. ;-) Anyway, I was just looking at all the BLOG sites that I have in my list to watch and realized that it's been awhile since I wrote in my own.
Our town had an adult entertainment hearing at a board of selectmen's meeting last night. A large crowd attended to voice loud objections, and it got a little heated at times. This is not the end of discussions, and a large group of voters have banded together with their attorneys to seek any way possible to block this new 'business' from coming into town.
Tony's high school classmates met here on Saturday afternoon for their annual reunion. After their 50th, they decided that since, as one member put it, all "are walking on banana peels", they should meet annually, now. There was a good attendance, and all had a wonderful time reminiscing and catching up on each other's medical conditions. They are also forming their committee to work on the 60th next fall, and one major consideration for the 'big' event it that it involve minimal walking (there were at least a few here on Saturday for whom walking from our driveway to porch was an effort.) One suggestion is for a bus trip (comfortable coach) to somewhere, maybe stop for dinner, and sightseeing. That's as far as their initial discussion went.
During their reunion afternoon, we held a video conference (via Skype) a California classmate. That is sooooo neat!
Tony and a cousin in Italy have made an appointment (via e-mail) for a Friday Skype call...since there is a 6-hour difference between them and us, appointments are necessary. Ivo has offered to host the men when they take their trip to Italy next April. This is a 'go' as Steve has arranged for the flights and David has already received his passport (he was the only one without one).
Speaking of Skype, all of a sudden we're hearing a lot about it on TV. On the Oprah Show yesterday, she had a virtual guest via Skype, and on Who Wants To Be A Millionaire this noon, the contestant contacted a lifeline via Skype. In this failing Wall Street era, maybe Skype is the place where we should be putting our money. What do you say, Isabelle?
Southwick's Zoo, which is the largest in New England and happens to be just about 1 mile from us, has just opened a Skyfari. We haven't taken in the ride, yet, but intend to soon. This will make a good autumn afternoon excursion.

Hanna paid us a visit

Hanna raced up the coast yesterday. I talked with Beth in the morning as Hanna was coming ashore in North Carolina. This morning when we awoke, we found that she is in the Canadian maritimes. After meanering around the warm Carribbean for days, a sling-shot blast up the coast brought us all lots of rain and some downed trees. Even though the Category was reduced to Tropical Depression by the time she got here, her forward movement of over 60 miles an hour contributed to the wind velocity and down came limbs, over went signs and trees were uprooted on the coastlines. Nothing but rain here, not even much of a breeze, but ohhhhh, soooo muggy. We have been adequately watered this summer, but the southeast received some much welcomed relief to their on-going drought. There seems to be a balance here somewhere.
Because of the impending storm (forecast was not good) we decided not to attend the BC football game. However, for the duration of the game, from about 12 noon until around 3, there was a lull in the rain. We probably wouldn't have been soaked as we had feared, but we watched the game on TV. (They lost.)
Lynn hosted a baby shower yesterday. Steve called this morning to tell us that Lynn and Steve were bringing all the food for dinner today...too much left over. We need Eric!