Miles Pond- Skunked ...Again!

Sensational Success!

Smelly Suckers!

The call was not good news, so I was glad that I was alone. Well, I was sort of alone. My little cousin Sweeney Lucas was asleep like an angel in the back of the van, as I sat parked outside of the Jersey Shore Premium Outlet Mall (www.premiumoutlets.com/jerseyshore/) in Tinton Falls, New Jersey. We were on our way to the Blue Claws Game, but we made enough time to do some power shopping: Pop guns, And bicycles, Roller skates, Drums, Checkerboards, Tricycles, Popcorn, And plums (Seuss)! Whoops! Wrong story... Anyway, back to the phone call. My Mom phoned me up and said, "Pamela, I have some bad news." After the initial PAMic wore off, I heard her telling me that she had gone out to our cabin to make sure everything was ready for the big visit, and the cabin had been sprayed by a skunk. She ended by saying that, barring a miracle, there was no way the cousins could stay at the cabin. They would have to stay next door at my brother and sister-in-law's, with their permission. I was devastated.

Over the next two months, a new obsession would consume me (and my saintly, Mum)... skunk odor elimination! It was amazing to me that, in my 46 years, I have heard of many dogs who were sprayed by skunks and had to be treated. As a matter of fact, if any of our dogs had been sprayed by a skunk, I feel quite confident in saying, that I would have known what to do: tomato juice or beer, lemon juice with a twist of Febreze. It's old news right, people? Right. But for a skunk to spray a house, that's rare!

Let me share a little of what I have learned. When I arrived on the scene and assessed the situation, it was worse than I thought. Apparently the little "buggas" burrowed under the boys' bedroom and let it fly. Now, that's just mean. What had they ever done? First I had to dress for the job. Because my Mum was afraid that said skunk, or heaven forbid, skunks might still be in the hole, she made me dress for the job. Gosh, I wish I could find the pictures, but they seem to have been accidentally erased from my memory card. Suffice it to say that the outfit included several layers of over-sized clothing, a towel wrapped around my head and around the front of my face, winter mittens, hiking boots and all topped off with a lovely rain poncho. The whole ensemble really had a burqa effect. If the skunk wasn't afraid the first time he sprayed, I was sure, he would be now when he got a look at me. Well, scared or laughing really, really hard.

All of this to verify that the skunk had filed his change of address. He was gone, out of there! When I peered deeply into the now tunnel that ran underneath the front of the house, there were no beady eyes looking back at me. So began my repertoire of remedies: lots of different air fresheners and deodorizers, cotton balls dipped in ammonia and propelled into the tunnel, moth balls, praying, charcoal, begging, fox urine (don't ask) and finally, Beyond Green Beyond Clean! My friend Ron told me about the all natural product and after a full fogging of the house, we had finally defeated one of mother nature's most powerful odors. I only wish I had tried it a month earlier. I think I would have saved a lot of time, money and outfits!

Why do I have this nagging feeling though that they might have the last laugh?

Father's Day- From Burlington to Boston and Back Again...

Remembering our Dads, twin brothers

Visiting a scary chapter in American History

Pascal's last ride in America on America!

Our last night in Boston

I guess Shakespeare had Juliet say that "parting is such sweet sorrow" to characterize the paradoxical emotions that battle while saying goodbye to loved ones. I am sure that after a month of preparing and journeying, Asa, Mandy and their beautiful family were ready to say goodbye. They had lives to get back to for crying outloud! At the same time, while they were here, we had so many greetings and partings. Every day on our adventure we would meet different friends or family members, and then we would depart the next day to arrive at our next destination.

Leaving camp was hard. It was a beautiful morning when we left as Asa and Pascal went fishing one last time. We drove to Burlington (http://www.ci.burlington.vt.us/) for one more family reunion, a quick trip to the ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center (http://www.echovermont.org/) and then a fabulously luxuriously long, Father's Day stop at Ben and Jerry's (http://www.benjerry.com/) in Waterbury. Finally we would drive south for our last three days in Boston. Excitement and adventure seemed to follow us no matter where we went. In addition to a few upset stomachs along the way, we were evacuated from the Aquarium under, how shall I say, suspicious circumstances. At first Asa, using his hyper-observant skills, witnessed a commotion by the fish tank. Perhaps a leak was to blame for sending us out in the steamy Vermont Summer heat? After witnessing Burlington's Finest and Finest Firefighters assess the situation, we were returned to the building and just in time for the Turtle Show. We took a quick trip up the elevator (which had a mysterious burnt rubber smell). The Turtle Show was fantastic even though our presenter confessed that it was her first program on Turtles. (I think that she said that she usually did programs on frogs or sharks or something.) She and Pascal were able to compare notes on our Miles Pond turtles and the turtles from across the State of Vermont and we all learned a lot. No wonder we needed Ben and Jerry's!

We arrived in Boston in the blink of an eye, and it was the most spectacular night I have ever seen. The sun was setting on the skyline as we raced to the Duck Boat Tour Kiosk just to find out that they had canceled their last tour for the night. SHUCKS! We made our way around the side streets until we found a parking space. The streets with alive with people and wagons, but at the same time it was sort of deserted. Do you know what I mean? Food and these big long trailers were everywhere. There was a warm and wonderful member of Boston's Finest- a Policeman standing in front of a sawhorse that was blocking off a side street parking area. Could they be following me?

"What's going on?" I asked the nice officer in my nonchalant "but I know something is going on here" voice. "It almost sort of kinda looks like a movie set around here.?-!" I offered.

"Yeah. That's what I hear. I think someone said it is the new Adam Sandler movie. Don't quote me on that!" Over the next three days we would explore and comb this City from the suburbs in Hooksett, New Hampshire (thank you to our incredibly gracious hosts the Martins Family) to the wharf by the Boston Aquarium to Quincy Market (http://www.faneuilhallmarketplace.com/) to the Shops on Newbury Street (loved scarfing the scone and cappuccino at the sidewalk cafe) to the witch museum (Boo!) in Salem, but we never saw Mr. Adam Sandler or any of the cast. We never got a chance to say hello or goodbye to Mr. Sandler on this Father's Day or any of our days in Boston, but doing a little research here on the computer, it looks like the film is entitled, I Hate You, Dad. Say what? How ironic that it was the incredible love I feel for my Dad and his twin brother, my Uncle Russ that brought us all together for this trip. I thought about this as I hypnotically (and tearfully) watched Mandy and the kids take their last rides on the merry-go-round by Faneuil Hall. Pascal took his last ride on a horse called America, and then we took our last ride to Logan Airport. We formed one last group hug on the sidewalk, which would lead into their terminal. This reunion trip was, I pray, a brilliant tribute to our fathers and their father, who came before, to have forged such a shining family bond where there had been only longing and distance before. As we separated from one another, I felt the tears begin to well up in my eyes. And then they were gone. Feeling immense loving gratitude and intense devastation at the same moment, I watched them disappear through the parting and closing automatic doors . "Parting is such sweet sorrow." I love you, Dad!

Detroit

'nuff said.

Creighton University- Omaha, NE

If you squint, Creighton University actually might look a little like Disney World...

Okay, Maybe Billy Blue Jay isn't happy!

Ian (and Colin?) receive Ian's Happy news way back in December!

Creighton University- The Happiest Place on Earth!

When I was growing up, I thought that Disney World was the happiest place on earth. I never went to Disney World until seven years ago, but that is what I always believed. Now that I am much older and both of the Fallon boys will be attending Creighton University, I have to disagree with my earlier belief. After my second Creighton University Orientation, I have to boldly say that Creighton University is the happiest place on earth. I have never seen so many happy people... in one place... at one time... ever! I am consistently impressed and amazed whenever I am at Creighton how everyone is so joyful. Maybe there's something in the water, but, quite frankly, I feel like it is something more. First everyone is so sincere. Secondly, everyone loves Creighton. Thirdly, Creighton people want you to love Creighton as much as they do. It must be the Jesuits!

I love learning new vocabulary, and I learned a lot of vocabulary at this year's orientation. It feels like these words and the deep theological concepts they represent could be life altering. Don't quote me on this, but when I took my brain based learning class, I believe the research showed that until we hear/see or experience something seven times, we don't really learn it. So I think that I have probably experienced these words and phrases six times before, but now, they are starting to get my attention. The first word which captivated me was magis. The Creighton University website states, "Magis, a Latin term meaning 'the more,' is the charism of the Society of Jesus that embodies St. Ignatius’ question in his Spiritual Exercises: 'What more can I do for Christ'?" It is also the name of a two year program for educators. Furthermore, they go on to describe this quality as "In this sense, Magis as 'more' is not a quantity, but a quality of soul which desires God's goodness to be seen, expressing God's greatness through our littleness." Immediately, as I began to hear this word over and over again during the past two days, I began to view my daily "to do" lists in a whole different light. Even my prayer regimen! Many of the Creighton students and staff members who presented discussed how they were discerning their vocation, their ministry and their daily activities each day through the lens of this concept. What a paradigm shift for me! I have always wanted my life to be for the glory of God (some days are brighter than others), but this idea of reflecting on this daily, is key. Of course I don't have seven hours a day that I can go into a cave, but I believe in the power of reflection. I must be deliberate and consistent in these efforts. I wish I had learned this when I was 17!

Creighton's website goes on to define another vocabulary phrase for me "cura personalis." "Cura Personalis is a spirit of personally caring for others, who are themselves loved creations of God, and encouraging them to an awareness of God's love." Again, I try and live this way, but I never knew it had a name before! Can you know something before you can name it? I have much more to learn about Ignatius in the days, weeks and months ahead. Another cool thing about being a Creighton parent is they offer Bible studies and other learning opportunities for the families of the Creighton students. I think that this is cool! So many of the projects I do at school, I try to make them collaborations so that my students can work with their families. hmmmmm food for thought and thoughts nourish my soul!

TAKE, LORD, AND RECEIVE ALL MY
LIBERTY, MY MEMORY, MY
UNDERSTANDING AND MY ENTIRE
WILL. ALL THAT I HAVE AND POSSESS,
YOU HAVE GIVEN ME TO YOU, O LORD,
I RETURN IT. ALL IS YOURS, DISPOSE OF IT
WHOLLY ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL. GIVE ME
YOUR LOVE AND YOUR GRACE, FOR THIS IS
SUFFICIENT FOR ME.

ST. IGNATIUS

I want to drink of this water!

Vermont- "Who Says You Can't Go Home?"

The Cabin

The Old Homestead!

Family = Home

Home for the last generation

Ducks in the Pond at Home

At Home for Randolph's Q125

Usually as I am driving back and forth across this great nation during the busy, busy summertime, I hear Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles singing, "Who says you can't go home?" Exactly! I crank the song whenever I hear it because, as many of you who have read my earlier blogs know, home is a concept that fascinates it. My former student Maisie used to challenge me on this whole idea. "Mrs. Fallon, you can't say that you are 'going home' when you go to Vermont because you live here now. Nebraska is your home now!" And we would debate back and forth.

"Yah, I know that I live in Nebraska, but my house is in Vermont!" I mean isn't home where your house is? Or maybe it was home is where the heart is... I don't even know anymore, but I am still fascinated by the concept. What is "home"? Honestly, I feel "at home" in many different places for various reasons, but I spend a lot of time on this idea especially, this summer with the cousins here from Australia. Maybe I should say that home is where my history is, but I have tried to make a lot of history no matter where we have lived by loving and serving along the way.

We finished our trip to New York and New Jersey, and now it WAS time to head home. I cannot fully explain the feeling of calm I had as I drove closer and closer to Vermont. I always get this way! Part of it has to do with the bucolic nature of Vermont and the fact that I am with many of my beloved family and east coast friends when I am there. I know where I am going and usually, I know shortcuts to get there (no comments from the peanut gallery please). But this year, I was excited for Asa's homecoming. St. Johnsbury would be foreign to him in many ways obviously, but I was excited to show him where our Dads were raised: the house on Pearl Street, St. Johnsbury Academy (http://www.stjacademy.org/page.cfm), the Athenaeum (www.stjathenaeum.org/ ), The Fairbanks Museum (http://www.fairbanksmuseum.org/), the Dog Chapel (www.dogmt.com/) and the cemeteries, of course. There were also nearby attractions that are newly adopted family traditions: Polly's Pancake Parlor (www.pollyspancakeparlor.com), The Church Street Marketplace (http://www.churchstmarketplace.com/), The ECHO museum (www.echovermont.org/), Ben and Jerry's (www.benjerry.com/) and Chutters (http://www.chutters.com/candy/), the longest candy counter in the world were must sees too! It was a good thing that we had five days in Vermont for the cousins to take it all in! "Who says you can't go home?"

Princeton, New Jersey- Food, the Sequel or Education. the Nourisher!

Cotsen Children's Library

Exploring in Princeton: Cousins and Brothers!

Wow Architecture!

Princeton, New Jersey- Food, the Sequel or Education. the Nourisher!

Perhaps I was coming out of a high fructose corn syrup haze, but as I began to wake up from my perch in Princeton, New Jersey, I smelled this incredible aroma of freshly ground coffee, rich baking goodness, fresh fruit and maple syrup. There maybe have been a little chocolate hanging in the air from the late night brownies... Our gracious and gifted hosts, Asa's cousin George and his wife Naomi gave us a delicious breakfast to fuel our day in Princeton. After spending a couple of really delicious hours around their breakfast nook, it was time to explore this town, which loomed like an icon in my mind.

We set out walking around the town and taking in all of the sights and especially the distinctive architecture. Wow... With every glance, I saw beautiful homes, shops and building of all kinds. Such a glance usually began with Mandy picking up the camera and pointing it in a certain direction at a specific angle, and then it hit me, "Wow. That is really beautiful!" It was like I was seeing Princeton through Mandy's lens and George's words; it was spectacular. Then we arrived onto the Princeton campus. Immediately, I had this feeling of the familiar. Of course, I always feel at home around schools of any kind. I love schools, and I always feel this synergistic vibe. But this feeling was different. I blurted out to George, "I feel like I am standing on Duke University's campus!" There was this implosion as I related a previous experience, visiting Duke University (Summer 2009) and being here at Princeton (June 2011). I love that! George chuckled and proceeded to explain the Princeton- Duke connection, and I was hooked. I love history; I love intrigue. I love universities that remind me of Harry Potter. You can read more about this controversial connection by clicking on http://library.duke.edu/uarchives/history/histnotes/myths.html.

I loved Princeton. Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Governors, Chiefs of Staff, CIA directors, military leaders, astronauts, authors and trail blazers of every kind walked on these same paths as I was walking. Even fictional fireballs like Fred Flintstone (Princestone University) and Dougie Howsie are purported to have attended (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Princeton_University_people). They studied here, learned and grew on this very campus. For me, learning nourishes. It is my food that fuels my excitement, my learning, my life. The more I learn, the more I crave to learn. Learning has a life giving dynamic for me and here we were surrounded by libraries, technology and art galleries. When I walked into the

at Princeton, so many of my thoughts about art, life and reading came together! Seriously, I could live here (http://www.princeton.edu/cotsen/gallery-programs/our-gallery/)... forever, maybe just with some fries on the side!

New Jersey; New Hampshire; Boston, Massachusetts

A piece of cake? A very large piece of cake... supersize me!

Double Yum

Yum!

Choices, Choices, Choices

Baseball, Apple Pie and Education- Food Edition!

After our beach day, we spent the next couple of days enjoying sumptuous meals, close baseball games and, when we arrived in Princeton, a look at the University. Although I do not want to "b"word you with details about all of the powerhouse baseball we witnessed and the amazing food we consumed over the next couple of days, I do want to say that sharing a meal is a wonderful way to get to know someone. We shared a lot of meals with our visiting family from Australia, but our family meals have always been legendary, mythical. We can sit around a table for hours eating, talking and reminiscing. It has been that way as long as I can remember! Some of our most poignant family memories have taken place around that dining room table meal. Engagements, pregnancies (well, the announcements thereof), reunions, vocations, holidays and celebrations of every kind have been initiated by a family meal. I was actually taken aback a couple of months ago when one of my sons had a friend over to the parsonage around meal time. When I invited her to stay for supper, my son assured me that they would be snacking downstairs because she wasn't ready for the Fallon Family Table... Say what? How do you prepare a friend to have a meal with us? What is it like extended deep sea diving? A moon landing...Ouch!

But getting back to our meals all around the east coast this summer- we ate and we ate and we ate some more. My poor cousins' children... At least our sons, Colin and Ian knew what they were in for when we would gather around the table at mealtime. Sometimes they would just have their blanket and pillows ready... just in case. Luckily, Pascal and Sweeney were so great! Pascal would speak right up about whatever the grow-ups were discussing, and little Sweeney would comply with any request and loved to blow bubbles with his drink. Even when we were at the baseball game, we ate until we couldn't eat any more and one topic of conversation would lead to the next. I worried about being a corrupting influence on the cousins' diets. When they arrived, they were small-portioned, varied-colored fruit and veggie eaters. (Notice picture on top from Day two where Mandy and Sweeney are having asparagus with their fries!) After only a day with us, we had transformed their diets to saturated fat, refined white sugar free-for-alls! I can't imagine the withdrawals when they returned to their regular healthy diets. (Shudder)

Our first day in Boston started out with my health-conscious friend Kathy and I racing through the grocery store aisles trying to assemble breakfast before the cousins awoke. We came around the corner almost crashing into each other as I tried to shamefully hide my selections. (Now I could digress here to say that Kathy and I were roommates in college, and she did not always eat as well as she did today, but I won't.) I saw her eyebrows raise heavenward, and she slowly enunciated, "What do you think you are buying?"

When I boldly pulled them from the fold of my arms, I placed the colorful box out in front of me and said, "Tri-colored, sugar oh's." (The name has been changed to protect the ... innocent.)

Kathy slowly nodded her head back and forth like a Martha Stewart bobbing head doll and slowly stated, "You are not bringing that high fructose corn syrup into my house, Missy! No siree Bob."Then began the complex negotiations that began with my "sugar oh's" and her cereal that looked like baled straw; we compromised with Life cereal. I had donuts; she had bagels. And so it continued until I screamed, "But I just want them to be happy!" And so it was that, without even getting the food to the table, my girlfriend Kathy and I were brought even closer. See what I mean? Meals bring people together:)

Stay tuned in the next installment of my blog entitled... Princeton, a great university or just another place to strap on the ol' feed bag?