Good Morning and welcome to a rainy Wednesday!

So, this past weekend it was pretty nice. Nice enough, in fact, that getting outside was not only something nice to do, but it felt like a mandate.
When it hits 70 degrees in November, you just have to do something, anything, to enjoy the air.
The easy way is to head to a playground and let the little ones run around until they tire out. The problem with that is two fold: First, they never tire out and second it doesn't give much for the parent's to do.
Sure, you can play a little bit. Maybe push the swing (for about five hours), but we need something more as well.
So, it seemed like the perfect day to walk through the woods. A quick drive down the Blue Route found Fairmount Park and Forbidden Drive.
Anybody who hasn't been there, right across the street from Chestnut Hill College, really needs to make the trip.
So, after a picnic lunch, it was time to hit the trail.
Now, when you take three children (ages 4, 7 and 10) on a hike, it could go either way. They could enjoy the thing or make it so much more difficult.
Luckily, this day, they were fascinated by the trees and the chance to do something different.
The air. The leaves. The small mountain trail. All of it made for a nice afternoon. Of course, there were some moments (aren't there always).
We made it up, we made it down. Now we are rooting for some more warm days just to try it again.

Good Morning and welcome to the middle of another summer week!

Really, summer should be about fun. We work hard all year long, if we can enjoy ourselves during some nice weather, we should take it.
One of those nice things for many people is taking their dogs for a walk. It's a good way to get the family outside and get a little exercise.
There are two dogs at our house, pugs. They are a source of joy for the children. They seem to be happy to see everybody, although they are sometimes dressed like princesses or clone troopers.
Out on a normal walk Tuesday morning, one of the dogs apparently ate something off somebody's lawn. It turned out to be some kind of industrial-strength rat poison.
Now, there are no rats around the neighborhood. There might be a few too many squirrels and a raccoon or two, but no rats. So, why anybody would need industrial-strength rat poison is beyond my brain.
Well, there is one reason: You are evil.
Now, I'm not happy when a dog relieves itself on the lawn then the owner doesn't pick it up. Most people curse for a second, clean it up and forget about it.
Apparently, that's not enough for some. No, they get so pissed off they put poison out on the lawn.
Now, to be that shortsighted is scary. To be that angry about dog doo-doo is stupid.
Luckily, the dog, after some touch-and-go moments yesterday, may pull through (don't know if I will after seeing the bill). We were lucky. Somebody else might not be.
Imagine, though, if a child had fallen on that lawn and somehow ingested the poison.
Is that much anger worth killing somebody?

Good Morning and welcome to another new week!

Well, the rain has gone away and left us with some pretty nice weather. Sure, the wind Sunday could be a bit much, but it's better than grey skies.
Meanwhile, I realized Sunday I am one of the lucky ones. In subbing for the injured, I took part in the 5k Race for the Cure Sunday morning. Now, when there are so many people packed into one place it can be a little overwhelming. Eakins Oval outside the Philadelphia Museum of Art was packed. There were walkers (and runners) of all ages milling around, talking and laughing.
Then you see a pink 'survivor' race number. Then another. Then hundreds more and you realize how the lucky stars have smiled upon you. I haven't had a family member (or friend) touched by breast cancer. Still, when you see the huge number who have, you realize you have been touched.
Everybody you walk past in the mall or speed past on the road could be putting up the fight for their lives. Then you realize you haven't really thought about it and probably should.
Really, if we are all brothers and sisters on this crazy thing we call earth, we should all become involved in each other. Your fight is our fight.
So, I dragged a 9-year old boy out of bed at 5 a.m. Sunday morning and drove down to the Center City. At first, he didn't realize what was going on, after all it was very early and very cold. He took great joy in hitting the sponsor tents and filling bags. In the end, though, I think he was impressed with the number of people. He asked questions about the pink bibs. He asked about the ceremonies.
Maybe it all sinks in, maybe it doesn't, but we walked the whole three miles. We talked. We joked. We want to help.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com

GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Well, I guess it all has to do with perspective.
While doing some Internet research Monday for Rise and Shine I found this story about gas prices
Now, we were talking about breaking the $1 mark in 1999. Imagine somebody who fell asleep in 1998 and woke up 10 years later. Not would they have the culture shock of another George Bush in the White House, but they would probably craw back in bed with the $4 we are now spending on a gallon of gas.
Sure, riding a bike is one solution, but what else can we do?
We, unfortunately, are at the mercy of gas companies and whoever else is driving the price because we need our cars. SEPTA doesn't offer us a workable solution.
Anyway, it's funny about perspective.
When we were little we were content with just playing. Didn't matter the game. Didn't matter if there were rules. It was probably better if there were no rules.


If you have any cool links or photos, send them along to onlinedelco@gmail.com