So Much Jersey Stuff, Part I

Time is flying by like crazy. I've already been in New Jersey for 9 days!

My dad's memorial service, and the reception that followed, on Saturday, Oct. 26, was lovely. My cousin, Ben, officiated the service. Adele, Uncle Jim and I spoke for the family and then a bunch of dad's friends came up and shared stories. There were close to about 100 people there, give or take, many of whom I didn't know. I was very happy to see familiar faces, like my Uncle Barry and Jens (dad's frat brothers) and Douglas and Mitch (dad's train buddies). I got to put some faces to names, mainly to some of dad's friends and colleagues from the law firm where he worked. And of course I spoke with many others familiar and new, though I wished I'd had more time with some. I'm so glad we had the service, even though I know my dad wasn't enthusiastic about the idea. There really is something to be said about the closure such an event can bring.

Here's the brochure I made for the service and the text I read.

Sunday morning Adele, Albert, Lily, Lisa, EJ and I scattered dad's ashes. That hit me harder than I expected.

A leaf on the RR tracks where we scattered dad's ashes.

Later that day I went down to Red Bank to attend a surprise party for my cousin Ben. It was a very belated happy 50th and it was great fun. A nice flip side to Saturday's event.

Ben in the center with the big grin on his face. He was very surprised.

One of the guests at the party.

I spent Sunday night in Red Bank and on Monday I drove down to Island Heights, which is where I spent every summer from about 12 years old until the time I went off to college, not to mention countless weekends and holidays. I loved being down there with my great aunt and my South Jersey friends (like Sharron, that crazy Havens girl!). Her lovely daughter, and my daughter through some blood-sister mojo-juju, Candee, met me in town with coffee and Dunkin Donuts.

Island Heights was founded as a Methodist summer camp meeting vacation spot.

My great aunt's little cottage.

A view of Toms River from Sharron's family home.

Detail of The Artist's Guild, a place that shows local art. It's been there for as long as I can remember.

Looking at town from the end of the public dock.

The public dock. Many, many hours of swimming and ice skating were launched from this dock.

The post office!

Island Heights is a beautiful town. I was lucky to have spent so much time there growing up and it felt great to visit, even if only for a short one. Some photos found while poking around the house...

I found this in an old scrapbook from the 1930’s. Made me miss SF.

After waxing nostalgic in Island Heights, I headed south to Manahawkin and Sharron. After taking advantage of Sharron's hospitality by doing laundry and taking a shower, she took me sight-seeing.

The Pine Barrens, home of the Jersey Devil.

More Pine Barrens.

Skeletrino searching for bodies in the Pine Barrens.

Out on Long Beach Island.

Barnaget Light House.

Sunset fishermen.

Another view of Barnaget Lighthouse.

Sunset and fishing boats.

We ended the evening with a pizza and a far too short visit with Sharron and all her beautiful girls. An overall wonderful day.

So Much Jersey Stuff, Part II coming soon.

 

Red Bank & Family Time

Wednesday, Day 2, was mainly running around doing random things in prep for Dad's memorial service on Saturday. I made a brochure for the service and Adele and I made a display of pictures of dad on a foam board. Both came out nicely.

Thursday was a fun day. Adele and I went down to Red Bank to meet up with Uncle Jim and Nancy. Red Bank is pretty much as I remember it, just with newer store fronts and restaurants. If I were going to live in New Jersey, Red Bank would be a good place to settle. My father's maternal family have been in NJ for a long time, pre-revolutionary, and in Monmouth County for a good portion of that time, though, of course, family scatters and imports new members. I grew up visiting Red Bank. I remember my grandmother taking me shopping on Broad Street, pictured below, and afterwards we'd go for a treat to an ice cream parlor down one of the side streets. I get very nostalgic when I'm in this part of NJ. We even stopped to take pictures of my grandmother's tiny little house on Newman Springs Road. Looks pretty much the same as it did when I was 10. I wish I could step in through the side door and find my grandmother at the kitchen table, reading the New York Times and puffing on her cigarillo. She was an exceptional woman.

Memories aside, we picked up Nancy and Jim and headed downtown for lunch and to get copies made of the memorial brochure.

Broad Street, Red Bank

More Broad Street

Nancy, Jim and Adele, downtown Red Bank

I was tickled pink when I unexpectedly found myself in front of Kevin Smith's comic book shop, Jay & Silent Bob's Secret Stash. Totally neat-o! My luggage limitations prevented me from making any desired purchases, but none of that mattered when I found myself face to face with Buddy Jesus!

Woot!

Buddy Jesus!

After lunch we decided to take a drive out to the Holmes-Hendrickson House, a historical site and former home of a long-ago ancestor. All we could do was lurk outside as the house was closed for the winter.

Nice little red house.

Close-up of the front facade.

Woods next to the house.

Had to let Madge loose.

The four of us. Madge got down in the grass for the shot.

After leaving the Holmes-Hendrickson house we went back to my cousin's place and socialized for a while before Adele and I decided we should get on the road home. It was a happy and joyful day.

End of Day 3.

 

Back in Jersey

Well, I made it to NJ without any issues.

The only excitement during the whole journey was the Super Shuttle ride to SFO. The driver was a little early so I ended up rushing to get dressed. This was not a problem for me as I was pretty much ready, just lacking, well, pants. Being ahead of schedule for one of the passengers, however, proved to be more of an issue. When we got to the third stop after my pick-up we were about 10 or 15 minutes early and the person being picked up wasn't ready. This other passenger, who was sitting in the back row in the seat closest to the door, started to complain about how the rest of us shouldn't be inconvenienced because this other person wasn't ready. Despite being told that the pick up time was scheduled for between 8:00 and 8:15, she felt we shouldn't have to wait around. When the new person came out - at about 8:02 - this other woman barely moved so the girl had to climb over her to get into a seat. I thought to myself, "Talk about inconveniencing people." I mean, really, you can't move in? "Maybe she gets off at one of the first airlines." That's me, giving her the benefit of the doubt. We get to our last pickup and the driver asks her if she can move in so the guy can get in, but all she does is purse her lips and move her knees so this tall guy has to climb all over her. I raised my eyebrows. All of us except miss sour puss chatted nicely with each other - it seemed appropriate we acknowledge each other as the van was at full capacity with 7 passengers and the driver. When we got to SFO, sure enough Miss Can't-Be-Inconvenienced was getting off at United, the last of the stops. I hope she got a middle seat on her flight and was bookended by two really big, smelly guys.

But all was fine for me. I got through security without having to have a body cavity search, strolled through the terminal in my Ativan-inspired chill mood, bought some new noise-canceling earbuds (which I do not regret at all), and then boarded the plane to my first class seat. Oh, here was some drama - people sitting in the wrong seats! Hah hah hah. Don't people look at their tickets? I mean, really, there are only 16 seats in first class, how hard can it be?

Snow tops! Yay!

Fluffy! Blue!

I read for a while, looked out the window, had lunch, read some more and then napped a little and suddenly we were landing. My luggage was the sixth bag out - yup, take that, sixth out - and then I was in a cab on my way to Maplewood.

Adele had made some fresh chicken noodle soup and I enjoyed a bowl of that. Yes, I am spoiled. We caught up, planned our errands for Wednesday, and then I went to bed.

Sleeping the dreamless sleep of the damned.

End of Day 1.

 

Ready to Head East, Mostly

My bags are packed, mostly. My to-do list is complete, mostly. My schedule is pretty well laid out, mostly. My anxiety is moderate, mostly.

Stuffed by Skeletrino

Skeletrino Readiness

I already miss my cats and I don't leave till Tuesday.

I'll miss this!

And I'll even miss this. Really.

Essential itinerary: Maplewood, Island Heights, Goshen, Boston. Return via the Lake Shore Limited and the California Zephyr.