Tag Archives: Northford

Remembering The Good Old Days-Overtaken!

preachingatvillageLast night was a dream night. It was kind of like going to a bunch of different amusement parks. First an island adventure, then to the Middle East and then somewhere in Southeast Asia. Funny, I do not go to bed with those places on my mind for the most part. Occasionally before falling asleep I will pray for a place, but usually I am “programming” for answers, for encounters. So, going places and seeing people is not something I “look” for. Continue reading Remembering The Good Old Days-Overtaken!

A NOW God For A NOW Season

leejohndrowteamAs things were moved around the basement, I was struck with the fact that it looked much like my old basement. A short while later I was in the middle of town and I was struck with how beautiful this old town had become. It was like I had just watched time lapse photography of the community coming together. I heard the words “Fantastic Friday” on a sound system some where. I walked around and admired the seemingly impossible beauty of the place. This scripture was on a sign at the road into this community. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17) Another sign said “I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame.” (Joel 2:25-26) Continue reading A NOW God For A NOW Season

My First Job Growing Up To Work

funny-clever-sign-prank-winter-practical-joke-snowman-snowMy first endeavor was probably snow shoveling and lawn mowing. I lived in a community in Northford Connecticut. A rural community my parents lived on a former dairy farm. I shoveled driveways and sidewalks. Most people paid between $2 and $5 for the work. Sometimes we got multiple snows and I collected well. Tips often included cookies and hot chocolate. When we got the tractor with a snow blower everything was $5-$10. I loved the snow.

I put a small tray out my window. Salt sat in the tray and a wire connected it to the buzzer/light in my room. Snow would fall. Snow would melt. Circuit completed. Buzzer would ring. Preparation to be out early ahead of others would begin. Continue reading My First Job Growing Up To Work

My Birthday A Little History

My Birthday

As I mark 58 years today, I think back to a time where I was pretty convinced I would not see another. This year my birthday will be celebrated on the 3rd with friends and family at a baseball game and fireworks. Like most years I catch fireworks. And then this weekend is the big party.

I was born in what was called Grace-New Haven in New Haven Connecticut. My parents lived on Orange Street in New Haven on a 3rd floor apartment. A few years later they moved to Raymond Court. And just a few years later they moved to Old Turnpike Road in Northford Connecticut. My dad was a timekeeper at Sargent’s in New Haven and my mom with her Masters in hand began teaching in Foxon.

Many of my summers were spent on lakes in the Adirondacks. Schroon Lake, Indian Lake, Lake George. One summer I celebrated with friends like Donald Jones, Gary Gilbert and my family by going to Powers Pond(Blueberry Hill) in Wallingford and paddleboating! Other times Frontier Town, Santa’s Land and Ausable Chasm.

So here I am readying to celebrate with friends and family this weekend. My youngest grandchild will join us. I am looking forward to it. As I looked at pictures of previous birthdays and friends, I am so grateful for all of those I have connected with.

Thanks for all the memories.

My Neighbor, Mr. Harrison.

2014-03-15 11.16.51Mr. Harrison

When I was a child we lived in a small rural community. My mother and father were always good at making friends and when we moved this time was no different. My dad’s friends were frequently considerably different than my mother’s. My dad was an Army veteran who drank hard and worked hard. And a lot of his friends were similar. Mr. Harrison was one of those friends. Continue reading My Neighbor, Mr. Harrison.