Labor Day vacation

We have decided to go on vacation Labor Day weekend to Kings Dominion in Virgina. In our 24 years of marriage we have never vacationed on this holiday so it should be most interesting. Since I am feeling so good these days I am up for the drive. The pressure is way down and I feel great since I started a in home walking routine. Weight is dropping as well as I am feeling lighter on my feet. It is a great time to start this for me since I really don't do any work in the summer while the family is home. In September is when I get back to the research. By then I think I'll be really feeling well. My knees don't like it but I will work through it since I have made so much progress in two weeks. If I can get the legs in shape it makes trampling through the areas I trample through much easier and I would love to loss a significant amount of weight through diet and exercise. Not that I am dieting, I have changed my eating habits and amounts, with fast results in better digestion and alertness. I actually went from a blood pressure of 140/90 to 125/75. So the doc (My Russian doctor I love her accent) says that if I lose the weight and keep this going I won't need the meds too long. So that's my goal.

Poking it with a stick

The Van Dyke farm took a loud sigh today as Chris at the Sentinel tried to breath some new life into the story. The continued silence made some noise as he questioned the goings on behind closed doors. There was one ominous comment made by Robert Johnson who stated "Most financial institutions won't accept an appraisal after six months, and some even three months". Don't know how that will pay into the situation but it could have a effect. The wheels are moving so slow I bet they will actually fall off the wagon. Stay tuned for more on this saga.

Artificial Downtown Dayton

I live in a small hamlet in central New Jersey called Dayton. Not Ohio, I'm in New Jersey. We are a small community with rich history. Washington and his troops passed through on there way to battle. We have a very small downtown with a church, old cemetery, old tavern and various other old homes. Lenape Indians created the path which is our main road. Now a developer has a bright idea to build a new downtown area about a mile north. Similar to the Faux downtown which is being built in Plainsboro. Nice structures but they are not the real thing, see my post on NEW HOPE PA! Condos, stores and old looking street lights do not make a downtown USA. I hope the Town Council keeps this in mind as these ideas come forth to build this. Jeez I bet there aren't planning a Inn so I may sleep and tend my horses either.

PTL

Tammy Faye lost her battle with cancer and I must say the sight of her frail body was just so sad. I found the actions of her and Jim Bakker horrendous and I have been just annoyed with them for years. Taking advantage of one's religious emotions is the worst in my book. Seeing her suffer like that softened my heart, no one should have to go through that. Hopefully she honestly made peace with her maker before she left. I had a very relaxed weekend although I did clean a shed and trim the hedges. The weather was so good I didn't mind the work because I was outdoors. Best yet my meds are working well and I feel good, the exercise routine I have fallen into must be helping. So far so....

The truth hits everybody, the truth hits everyone...

Last night in Philadelphia the skies opened up like a dam bursting. I often wonder if this raining sideways phenom is unique to Pennsylvania because it was hitting us from the side full force. Now being in Philly for a outdoor concert with sideways rain is not encouraging but we soldiered on into Wal-Mart bought ponchos and hit the car. Having just spent 3 hours at Dave and Busters my son and I were in real good moods and even the rain would not dampen our spirits. Once we got the Citizens Bank Park (I still prefer the VET!) the skies cleared and the air became much cooler in essence the perfect night for a concert. As the opening acts sang we walked the complex and every food you can imagine was there. I was quite proud of myself not having anything but a diet coke. My son finally got to try Chickie and Pete's Crab Fries which had quite a impressive line. They were good but nothing to get too excited about for me but CJ was thrilled. So by now your wondering who the heck did we see? Well if your a fan it's in the title. The Police reunion tour. Now I saw them in 1979 and they were fabulous and I'm happy to report they are still fabulous only...Only well... Age has kicked my butt and Stings but too. His falsetto is gone so the edge on the music has changed not that I did not enjoy it but it was noticeable of course I am a heck of a lot heavier since 1979 so were even :-) The energy and fun was still there. Andy Summers the(OMG) 63 year old guitarist has since publicly stated he could not play through out most of the career of the Police. Can you imagine winging it in such a popular band? He made up for it and I felt he really had something to prove on this tour, he was amazingly improved. Now the main reason my son wanted to go was Stewart Copeland drummer extraordinaire. He did not let my son down. He played the kit and had various instruments set up behind the kit so he could stand and play it was a clinic on proper drumming. The crowd was very young and lots of families like us, parents sharing there music experience with the kids. I felt right at home at the show. This is what family is about sharing some amazing moments once and a while. He will never forget the show and I will never forget him enjoying it. Some day I'll tell my grand kids about the day CJ and I saw the band who made that song Roxanne. Lastly Sting I lost a few steps too but thanks for giving it your all, the truth hits everybody, the truth hits everyone. (OO OO OO)

Been a weird week so far

My doctor has put me on meds for my blood pressure. Being a black male I get diuretics too lucky me. So I have been feeling a little off the past week or so. After my check up it only went down two points so now I must double the dose. I never had meds consistently so it's odd for me but I need it so I will learn to adjust.

Historic New Hope

I spent the day strolling New Hope Pa. with Char. She went into various shops and enjoyed a nice walk and some fun shopping. Me on the other hand? I enjoyed the same thing, when I wasn't trying to read the historic markers all over town. There is nothing better than seeing those markers all over town a historians dream. I must say my Titus marker is much nicer but they had so much more history on display, it was a shame more people did not take notice. Maybe they did and I missed them. I also drove down to Washington's Crossing Pa. side. Looks about the same as the NJ side. It was a lovely day to ride through history made me feel good all afternoon. I need more days like that!

Sometimes you need to stop and be thankful

On my way to work today I reflected on my life a bit. The family, the marriage , the history, the health and all the things that go into making a life. My overall conclusion is I am a very blessed man. My wife and I have been together for 30 years this year, 24 of them married. My kids are healthy and safe trying to make a life for themselves. My health is good and I had a decent check up this month. I found my passion and my voice in history. I have made good relationships and lasting friendships. I feel good being James and though times get rough they go back to smooth too and make life livable. Yea corny, cheesy, but I don't care I see so many unhappy and miserable people, with more possessions than my parents have had there entire lives. Sometimes you need to be thankful for the little things and appreciate the big ones, that's what gets you through the bad times and keeps me smiling and cheerful most days. Thank god for the good things in my life and the strength to make it through the bad things. And keep a eye out for those seniors, most of us will be there someday and I want someone to keep a eye out for me.

The Sound of Silence

Paul Simon said it all so well :

"Fools said i, you do not know Silence like a cancer grows. Hear my words that I might teach you, Take my arms that I might reach you. But my words like silent raindrops fell, And echoed In the wells of silence".

I was feeling very frustrated yesterday about the Van Dyke farm and let loose into the Letter to the Editor of several newspapers. That evening I received a email that mentioned the fact of things not going well and the sudden "silence" we are in. Bingo my brain smelled trouble for me. Nothing has been said officially but this was the first we heard of anything negative. Think it's time for a meeting y'all. I bet if we start to contact officials they will start dancing like Gene Kelly around the issue. Or just jump into that cone of silence I mentioned yesterday. Where is Agent 86 when you need him?

Discussions on the Van Dyke Farm surrounded by the “Cone of Silence”.

I have been the historian for the Eastern Village Association since October 2005. Many hours have been spent researching the Van Dyke family history and the history of the slaves they once owned. South Brunswick New Jersey has also been my home for almost 25 years. Although I am proud to be a member of this citizen’s group I have tried to keep my public conversations strictly on the subject of the family and the slaves. Many members can speak about the subject of this farm with more knowledge than I have. Since I became a part of this group the discussion of saving the Van Dyke farm has moved through many channels. The Township Council has faced some difficult decisions concerning the farm. The State of New Jersey is facing tough decisions about the farm. The developer and the property owners are facing issues I am sure they never anticipated. This farm property issue has been bounced to and fro the entire time I have been involved with the E.V.A. As of April of 2007 there have been discussions going on which have brought the interested parties to the table. All of this has been done in quiet for almost four months. We do not know if they sat and spoke for one day and walked away. We do not know of they have been holding a dialogue the entire time. We do not know if anything is really happening. The point I am making is that for four months we have had no updates, conversations, hints or allegations of any kind. For all that we know it all fell through and something completely different may happen. As a concerned citizen I feel outrage at this process, a process that seems to have a “Cone of Silence” around it. Either the sides have come to common ground or they have walked away either way I believe we deserve to have some kind of update to the situation. We are all adults in this situation and I know we can handle whatever the outcome is at this point but the silence on the subject is deafening. No one knows, or wants to discuss it no matter who is asked we receive the standard response, be patient something is happening. My patience has run out, I know this farmhouse was built in the late 1700’s, I know the family burial plot exists, I know slaves were owned by this family and I know it was custom to bury them 800 to 1000 yards away from the homestead. There is history all over the Van Dyke farm and it is attached to Pigeon Swamp State Park which makes it ideal to include the farm right into the park. All we need to know is what is happening with these talks, is this question too hard or scary for anyone to answer?

And the Wetherwill will fall

Sunday was the Dayton Coalition Family Picnic and some friends of ours were very involved setting it up so we went over for a hour chatting with our fellow Daytonites. It was pretty hot out there at Wetherill but we kept hydrated and did just fine. such a lovely piece of land it's a shame the old homestead is in bad condition it's only a matter of time till that house just falls down and we will have the Titus structures all over again. K&W will be bulldozing it down. Quite a shame but with no money put into it's upkeep it feels like the township is just going to watch it crumble. Well I have no weight round here so all I can do is sit and watch it happen, what a pity.

I spent the morning at a day spa in East Brunswick with my wife. Christmas present from the family. I was massaged and exfoliated rubbed with hot stones and cold stones and I think I melted. I mentioned attention to the legs and arms and boy did she take me to task. She found muscles and pressure points in my legs I did not know I had and it hurt! I hung in there even when she started on my Achilles tendons YIKES! She also worked the flexibility of my legs which has bad range because I work at a desk all day long. Now I am loosey goosey and feeling groovy. I feel like a new man guys should loosen up and get this done it makes you feel great.

Beautiful days

The next few days are going to be lovely weather days. I look forward to getting out and looking about for some undiscovered stones very soon. Word is that some unrecorded headstones are out there waiting for me once I get some idea of the location. Now that is my idea of a great start to the weekend!

The World's Deadliest Joke

I spent 2 hours in Python heaven having chatted about them on the 4Th with Jean, my son and various others. My brother in law lent me the full 45 episodes and I am having a grand time. As funny and silly as it is the show really calls your mind to think about history which would explain me breaking the culture barrier and learning about British culture to understand more of the show. Be it the Queen, Attila the Hun or yes, even the Spanish Inquisition, (NO EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!) I learned a lot about history figures and events which made me search out the story on them when I was young. See humour CAN be educational. Naked women had nothing to do with it I swear. My wife forced me out the door for my yearly check up on Tuesday and I am now borderline on high blood pressure. The doc put me on 5mg of a med and it has made me feel pretty good so far. I have a Russian doctor who sounds mean because of her accent but she is good and very thorough. Being a big guy everyone has always assumed I would have high pressure but it seems my personality does much to keep it down. We'll see how it goes! The World's Deadliest Joke? If I wrote it for you we would die....

Food and family

Visited two spots for the 4Th today. I was at the Van Dyke farm with my son and the Fritz family. Had a lovely time just as I did last year. Sorry to say I had to leave early to spend time with my sister in law. Not a bad thing but we were pretty comfy either way. I am always thankful that I have many places to welcomed in makes the holiday a lot more fun. Have a good time today and all be safe.

Free at last, Free at last, thank god almighty

When we get to the 4Th I always think about the Road to Monmouth and the revolution. It makes me think about the lives of our local slaves and how they were effected by the war. It has been documented throughout the north that owners sent the slaves off to war in the owners names. I feel that was such a cowardly act. Send this man to battle for your countries freedom while he has no freedom of his own. That is indeed irony. Some were promised freedom but returned to life as usual. How sad could this man's heart be to have been lied to in such a way? I imagine they knew in their hearts before they even returned. This historical and educational journey I travel has taught me to be thankful. I live in a time when blacks can do whatever they want and reach goals once thought unattainable as Barack Obama is proving by becoming the highest fund raiser 33 million that is astounding for any candidate. I am so thankful to all who lost their lives and suffered for me and my family. When I think of Independence Day I think of the freedoms my people have come to take for granted. I do not take this for granted, I remember Selma, Montgomery, Memphis and all the rest of those towns, even George Wallace on his capital steps vowing not to let the niggers in. I harbor no anger but I remember the pain of it. As every black American should and if they are too young my generation should remind them of it, that is our responsibility. I am proud to be an American and I am thankful to have opportunities my parents did not have. I hope to instill that in my children and my grandchildren. Happy 4th to all.....

Another Pleasant Valley Sunday

Sunday was filled with my favorite things. (except Julie with her voice back) Attended church in Cranbury at the 273 year old Presbyterian Church. I don't have to mention how wonderful that was. My daughter performed the offertory hymn which sounded fabulous in the 273 year old church. I met very warm and lovely worshippers in the 273 year old church. (CAN YOU FEEL ME?) Let's just sum it up. The church, the members, the Minister all very welcoming to this visitor. I shall return again and maybe again. I even had lunch with Jean and some wonderfully nice members of the church. This actually set the tone for my day. I felt good all day even doing the groceries. Watched a movie or two and had a calm evening. One of those days you step back to smell the roses, snip a few and place them right in the bedroom. Indeed a Pleasant Valley Sunday.