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JWG's Experimental Eccentric — July 11 & 12, 2011

Wherein JWG briefly reminisces about dealing with hot summers. (Which seem a lark after a hurricane!)

Zwerglipatch  July 11, 2011  6:29 p.m. EDT

As René heats up some pea soup made by our neighbor Linda, I, at last, am taking the time to scribble a few words. I shan’t write a great deal about this steamy weather that we are all wishing away so we can be comfortable outside.

Today, I thought about the characters from my hometown of Hancock, New Hampshire. Which ones shall I share? Which shall make their way into these pages? Life in a small town is colorful. Life in any neighborhood is colorful. The novel Peyton Place was based on a New Hampshire town. Growing up, I heard, constantly, the expression “just like Peyton Place”. In junior high, when I read Peyton Place, the characters and situations did not dismay me. I knew those characters. I lived in my own Peyton Place.

 

Zwerglipatch  July 12, 2011  6:54 a.m. EDT

Gracious, when one gets out of bed at five and the day is muggy, one does minimal work in the gardens. Thank goodness that the sun is shielded by a layer of thin clouds. I feel like a clam pulled out of a warm tidal pool.

I spoke too soon. The sun has burned a hole in the clouds. Its heat is felt. Young trees wilt. (I’ve already wilted.)

I think back on past summer days which were hotter than hot.

As a youngster, I’d get on my bike and go uptown to swim; or, I’d go and lie on the moss-covered railroad track by the brook.

As a twenty-something, I would head to the Manhattan piers where the Hudson River always had a breeze to cool hot heads. Those were happy days, too.

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Billie B May 20, 2013 at 10:17 am
Tomorrow is the vote..vote NO NOW or our taxes are going to continue to sky rocket. Unless we doRead More something this town will continue to spiral down. More taxes aren't going to help. We need to cut expenses and get ourselves on a fiscally responsible plan.
swataz May 20, 2013 at 09:42 am
Isn't that above the cap? Funny, when another news source mentioned 5 districts that are breakingRead More the cap they didn't mention Smithtown. Dn't worry, the district will bully and scare the parents into voting yes by threatening programs instead of doing what they need to do which is reduce administrative costs.
Ron W May 19, 2013 at 02:26 pm
We can all make a statement one way or another when we vote. However, that statement should be madeRead More on a state level not the local level. Boards of Ed are powerless to do any real cost cutting. The state needs to take this on. We need real reform in Albany to reduce the ever increasing pensions and life long benefits that educators enjoy. Combine this with letting Albany decide salary increases for all educators and we can guaranty tax reductions over the next few years. Its that simple, Boards cannot do these. Lets get Albany to move on these NOW!