Well, its been over a year.

   Normally, I would post about New England life and travel but this post I'm going to go off in a bit of a different direction, catch you up on everything that has happened this year, since I haven't posted in over a year. Being said its been quite a year. The life I thought I knew is gone and I took ahold of a new, adventurous, happy, loving life.
   I am still working the same job(s), but my love life has taken a whole knew direction and I couldn't be happier with this amazing man. Not only has he shown me love, compassion and loyalty, he, like my family, has shown me things in life I didn't think I could do, not without a bit of a push too.
   This past year I have been to five new states, some of them twice. I got to show someone who has never been to the Northeast, all around my home area.
   I have gotten to meet a bunch of new people from his family in Michigan to his work colleagues.
I have tried wines, traveled around some of eastern Colorado and northern Lower Michigan to the different vineyards. He helped me find one Italian wine I thoroughly enjoy, unlike the group of red wine drinkers who didn't care to show me variety of wines.
   And not only has my palate been widened but my thirst for travel, to explore the different areas and cultures my own country has to offer.
  

McGee

   To put the year in perspective, McGee and I moved from Lakewood to Golden, early December 2013. Into a 3 bedroom townhouse with two great people. I began dating a man, who to is not a Colorado native. A man with one of the greatest smiles and most beautiful eyes. His name is Gordon.
   Gordon is from Michigan and loves to travel. He has moved all over and ended up in Colorado, and well, I am definitely glad he did.
   Gordon invited me to Las Vegas with him and his family three weeks later. Vegas is definitely what I expected, with tons of people from all over. Its big, loud and dirty (some places are real nice though). Walking through the hotels and casinos it was so funny to watch people, especially the older ladies playing 5 slots at a time, cigarette hanging out of mouth, in their stretch pants. Sorry, that's really stereotypical of me, but its so true... ha ha.
   Gordon and I spent New Year's eve together in the Denver international airport, in one of the only restaurants open that evening. Glad they had a TV in the bar to watch the ball drop.
   In February, he took me to Michigan, in February! It was great to see his home, meet more of his family and friends, but the snow and cold had fun with us.
   In March, his friend from Virginia came to visit, we had a lot of fun and even went snowshoeing for the first time on Mount Evans. Then his mom and brother visited and we took them around the Denver area.

   In April, we drove to Grand Junction, such a cute little area with neat shops and close to the Colorado National Monument, where we did some hiking. We also, took a drive into Utah, we drove over to Moab and went to the National Park and (carefully) climbed to the Delicate Arches. On the way back home to Denver, we drove around Palisade (where the Peaches come from) and stopped at a few different vineyards. We stopped at one vineyard called the Carlson Vineyards Winery and usually vineyards limit how many tastes you can have but the woman who served us was one of the owners and she was so nice and let us try as many as we wanted, I think we came home with 2-3 bottles? This month I also, moved back to Lakewood and in with Gordon.

  In May, we went to San Diego. We got a Living Social deal for a neat hotel near the bay. We toured the USS Midway, which was really cool, seeing how life is and was living on the ship. We also, visited the San Diego Zoo, like everyone else, probably the real reason people go to San Diego. In my personal opinion, I wouldn't ever go again, for the price and disarray the place is, I don't find it worth it. But we did find some great food there, within walking distance of our hotel.

   In June, he took me to Chicago for our 6 month anniversary. It was really cool. I'm from the middle of nowhere, so this place was a BIG city. Denver has nothing on this place.  Tall, tall buildings, lots of traffic, tons of people, dirty. It had one of the biggest Macy's I have ever seen! We went up the Hancock tower at night and sat at a window table, had a couple drinks, what a view.... Gordon also, surprised me with a Architecture tour. Which you take a ferry down the river, while a narrator tells us all about the different buildings. We went to Maggiano's for our anniversary dinner, the original Maggiano's. Had to got there since I was on the opening Maggiano's team in Pointe Orlando. We stayed at an amazing hotel, across the river from the Trump building. We had a Presidential suite, and we were the first people to stay in that room!


Navy Pier

   Late June/early July, Gordon, a friend and I went to New Orleans. What a bit of a culture shock. Everyone we met was so nice! Great southern demeanor :) Every meal we had there was amazing! We still talk about it to this day. But while we were in NOLA, we were in an accident. I was the only one hurt. At this time I can not go into details, but when things have settled, I will be sure to post the details. But made for not such a great birthday trip.

   The rest of July, and early August, was pretty low key, with what happened in NOLA, we had to stay around home. Had to get things back in order.
   Mid-August we had Gordon's mom out again, but this time she brought his cousin. We took them to Moab, UT. We did the climb (carefully) again to the Delicate Arches. We did some fun things around Denver as well. I even took his cousin to Film on the Rocks (Red Rocks amphitheater) to see Top Gun.
   In September, I took Gordon back to my home. The first day we wandered around Boston, then went home to Western Mass, we toured around Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire, along with visiting my family and friends. In the middle of the month, we went back to Michigan, surprised his mom and he took me camping in northern Lower Michigan.
   In October, we went to San Francisco. What a neat city. Beautiful bridge, lots of tourist places to go, Alcatraz was my favorite. You get a handheld device that you listen to as you wander around on your own. Its has stories from former inmates by those former inmates, that were held there before it closed in March of 1963.

We went to Ghirardelli Square for chocolate and ice cream I don't know how many times. We had a good time. But on the way home, I don't think the San Francisco airport really knows what they are doing. each terminal is through a different security line? And how many times did they make us change gates, in different terminals? oh my.... 

   This month I also applied back to school. I applied to Metropolitan State University in Denver. Taking full time online courses, Social Work and Criminal Justice (as of now, never know what may happen) Also, I became a Volunteer Victim Advocate for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.
   In November, we stayed home, the only trip we took was up to Estes Park, we stayed the night at this cute place Murphy's Resort at Estes Park (which I found for a deal on Living Social) and had a great BBQ dinner at Smokin' Daves. The next day we wandered around the downtown area.
   And finally, in December we went not only back to Vegas but San Antonio. We met Gordon's mom and another cousin in Texas. We toured the Riverwalk area almost everyday, checked out the shops and eateries. One of the days, Gordon and I went to Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. You drive through this huge enclosed park area and see all different kinds of animals, which you can feed from your window, such as zebras, llamas, lots of different kinds of deer, bulls, ostriches.

 

They also have a small petting zoo for petting and feeding baby goats, they were so cute.

 

 

    Now we have come to 2015. We spent the New Year's eve evening with friends having drinks and snacks, and playing different board games.
    School starts in a couple days, and we are looking into buying a house this spring.

Until next time....
 

  

Christmas Traditions

   It fascinates me every year the many different traditions that people have for their holiday season. For my family, we celebrate Christmas basically twice, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
   Wigilia (Christmas Eve) is when we do up hold some Polish traditions. We gather together before dinner and we each get a piece of Oplatek (Christmas wafer), we say a prayer and remember the ones that have gone before us. Then we share with one another a little piece of each others wafer and wish for a healthy prosperous year ahead with love.

Next is dinner full of fried fish, homemade pierogies (my favorite- potato and cheese), fixins, and homemade desserts. We sit, talk and catch up with those whom we don't see often. When everyone is full and dinner is mostly cleaned up, we move to the living room to play a game of White Elephant or Yankee Swap, if you will. There is a gift for everyone and each person takes a turn picking a gift, or with your turn you can steal a gift from someone who already has chosen. Its great fun and can be quite chaotic when a select few steal each others multiple times. 

   And finally Babcie (Grandma) gives us our stockings, or Home Depot buckets in my Dad's case, that she has filled with amazing goodies. To me it is a great, yet relaxing evening of just seeing my family and making memories. Sadly, to say our family has lost some wonderful members in the past few years. I too have not been home for Christmas in 8 years. Every year I have missed, I call and get to talk to everyone but its not the same. I feel my family is very close, reason at least for me is some of what I know from the past is still happening. Though the phone calls leave me in tears every time.

     Christmas Day consists of gifts from Santa under the tree, my Mom in the kitchen, whipping up some more masterpieces. Dad and my brother in front of the TV playing their new shoot-um-up video game they found in their stocking(s) hours earlier.
    Around lunch time, those we were with the night before and more start showing up for another fun day of food and laughter. "I'll be home for Christmas. If only in my dreams"

To:

V-Ski & Crotty clan.

Merry Christmas. Wesołych Świąt

 Hope to be home real soon.

I Love you.

Hancock Shaker Village

Hancock Shaker Village

3

  Shaker belief, to me, was very strict. It was a celibate community which made me wonder how it would last without any offspring. Then I realized all they really could do was recruit people into the their way of life.  Men and women were not allowed to touch, sit on the same side of the table, walk down the same side of the hallway. They lived on opposite sides of the house, sat on opposite sides of the table. There was a Men's kitchen, a Women's kitchen. They attended church daily, men on one side, women on the other, some services lasting over eighteen hours.
    "The United Society of Believers in Christ’s Second Appearing, known as the Shakers, is a religious sect. Founded upon the teachings of Ann Lee, Shakers today are mostly known for their cultural contributions (especially their style of music and furniture), and their model of equality of the sexes, which they institutionalized in their society in the 1780s. A Shaker village was divided into groups or families." 1

Friend, Nikki checking out the canned vegetables, fruits and spices in one of the kitchens. >

Jars, bowls and other accessories ready for baking, canning foods for the winter.








    I would definitely have to say my favorite building out of the whole area was the Circular barn. It was a great way to create the space you needed for the cows and not create a long building that took up a lot of extra square footage. (see top picture)

 Brooms were made on the premise and by hand.

Friend, Nikki giving us a smile as she checks out the different brooms and dusters made from straw.

'The Privy' or community bathroom. Just like an outhouse, but with multiple seats and not very spacious. Only some got to use the toilet, 'chamber pots' within the houses for privacy and convenience.

 I found this a fascinating place to learn about their culture, religion, music, cooking, and the great craft work they created. I found some fascinating things in the gift shop, such as the oval boxes of all sizes and shades of color the volunteers make on site. However in my opinion, the shop is rather on the expensive side, but I do realize certain things like the oval boxes are handmade.

They hold lots of event through the summer from quilting to poultry to beekeeping and a workshop on how to make those beautiful oval boxes. HSV also offers great school programs. They teach you all about the ways of the classroom in the Shaker time, and way of life in the village. Available from Pre-K to High school.

Starting November 23rd, they are holding their Annual Holiday Sale. Every weekend until December 8th. 10am - 5pm. If you can make it out, I believe this historic place is something to support.

Hancock Shaker Village is open from early April to October every year. 2
Adults – $18
Youth ages 13-17 – $8
Children 12 and under - FREE 
If you are a member of the NARM, it's free for 2 adults and children up to 18 years of age.

Interactive map - http://hancockshakervillage.org/interactive-map/

1 http://hancockshakervillage.org/
2 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hancock_Shaker_Village

Good Bye Gunner

Today I'm not going to write about museum or historic place I went to in June, but will jump back on that soon.

Today is a sad day for my family. We had to send our Handsome and Loving boy, Gunner off to the Rainbow Bridge.

Gunner and Tucker

(Sadly, I don't have a pic of them on the computer as puppies.)



He was about 8.5 years old, we got him and his brother Tucker in February of 2005. I remember that very night. I was with my grandparents and it was a cold, stormy night. I think it was a snow storm. My mom called and said we all had to come over right away, in a very (good) excited voice.

We pulled in and there was my mom on the porch with two little Boxer puppies 8-10 weeks old (give or take some). My mom has wanted Boxers since before I can remember. They were the funniest little things, with lots of sloppy kisses and their little wiggy, wiggy, wiggy butts. (inside joke)

We got very lucky with these guys, puppies aren't usually available in February.

Gunner was the one my Dad chose, he became the strapping brut you see there on the left and Tucker is the taller, skinnier one my Mom chose. The story goes that my Dad picked out Gunner, then my Mom picked up Tucker and my Dad held a finger and said "one!", so we ended up with two. And they were floppy eared Boxers, just what Mom wanted. 

We have been lucky with some great pets/friends, dogs and cats, one cat 'who shall not be named', Matty,  was a little witch but we loved her, she lives with another woman now, and is a mouser. And loves it, we hear.

Gunner and Tucker have been a riot since day one. Running, jumping after bugs, bunnies in the field, boxing each other as Boxers do. Quite a circus, especially when Mom added chickens and Bella, her little Shih-a-poo. Daddy's princess. They loved car rides too. When I was home in June I took all 3 of them all the way to Florida, Mass with me in the convertible. It was a good hour or so drive to get there and back. So I'm glad I got to spend that time with all of them.

But sadly, Boxers are known for cancer, bad hips and ACLs. We've been lucky with no cancer, but the ACL and hip on Gunner we had to bear. A few years ago we had his ACL 'fixed', but since then with his size and him wanting to run like a pup, it hadn't helped. Recently, Mom and Dad had him checked to possibly due the surgery again but unfortunately the arthritis had built up so badly that there was nothing we could do except for a particular weekly shot, which could only do so much. But as of late, he had to be carried up all the stairs, it hurt to stand and wouldn't get off the couch.

So, last night they fed him an awesome meal of Burger King, steak and chocolate ice cream. I know he had to be very excited for that. And today, my parents brought him on his last ride down to our family vet. I'm so glad I got to hug and kiss and say Good bye to him when I had the chance.

We will never forget you, Gunner. We Love you. We will miss you. Please wait for us at the bridge.

 

Gunner

RIP August 28, 2013

 

The Rainbow Bridge

inspired by a Norse legend

 



By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,

Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,

Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;

Together again, both person and pet.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past,

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,

Has turned into joy once more in each heart.

They embrace with a love that will last forever,

And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together. 1

 

1. http://www.newrainbowbridge.com/NRB/rbpoem.htm

 

Votes for Women

Susan B Anthony Birthplace Museum

Susan was born February 15, 1820, in Adams, Massachusetts. She was brought up in the Quaker family traditions. Quaker is defined as "The Religious Society of Friends is a movement that began in England in the 17th century. Members of this movement are informally known as Quakers, a word that means, "to tremble in the way of the Lord." In its early days it faced opposition and persecution; however, it continued to expand, extending into many parts of the world, especially the Americas and Africa."2

After teaching for 15 years, she moved her energy and power to the Temperance movement. For the last 40 years of her life, she was one of the most legendary American Civil Rights Leaders of the time. She died in 1906 at the age of 86, but until that day she did not stop fighting for Women's Rights. The Susan B Anthony Birthplace house was the headquarters of the National American Woman Suffrage Association when she was its president.

(Sorry for the glare) but this hangs over the stairwell in the house, it is one of the original banners that the women marched with. c. 1910.

Here is a painting of Susan Brownell Anthony as an older women. I think fighting with all your might, would give you white hair too.

*****************************************

The house, is two-stories. The bottom floor consists of 5 downstairs rooms and the upstairs was converted into office space. The gift shop is a separate building just a few feet from the house.

First, the guide brought us into the Kitchen/dining room, had a large table with different instruments for cooking, and a fireplace. This room has artifacts that you can touch.

Second, was what they believe was a storage room for excess food, possibly, in the room also one of the walls is open, so you can see how it was built. It was different slats of wood, and in between each slat was this type of like mud/hard substance with horse hair. The horse hair creates a stronger hold.

Third, was a bedroom, where Susan was born along with all of her siblings. She was the second oldest of seven siblings, along with sadly, a few were stillborn, if I remember correctly. She remained close to her sisters all her life. Susan herself never married.

Houses in the 1820s did not have indoor plumbing (that came about 1930s), here are chamber pots, that would be emptied each morning, either by a servant if you could them or yourself. Usually they would have lids, like the one on the right with the fancy doily.  

Next, room was her father, Daniel's store. Who was a cotton manufacturer and abolitionist himself. Also, he was big in the temperance movement, he ran his store as a temperance store- no alcohol. He was a stern but open-minded man who was born into the Quaker religion. He did not allow toys or amusements into the household, claiming that they would distract the soul from the "inner light." 3 

Finally, but not least, was a room that was turned into a timeline room. As you went around the room, if portrayed newspaper articles, stories, quotes from Susan and other Abolitionists, Suffragettes, Labor Activists.  

On November 18, 1872, Anthony was arrested by a U.S. Deputy Marshal for voting on November 5 in the 1872 Presidential Election two weeks earlier. She was sentenced, it was just a $100 fine, but not imprisonment; true to her word in court ("I shall never pay a dollar of your unjust penalty"), she never paid the fine for the rest of her life, and an embarrassed U.S. Government took no collection action against her. After her trial Anthony petitioned the US Congress to remove the fine in January 1874. 2

Here are plaques, pins and sashes worn by women, in parades and town meetings. 

Just like what Mrs. Banks wore in Mary Poppins. 

Next up on A Mile Above the Syrup: Hancock Shaker Village

1. http://susanbanthonyhouse.org/index.php 
2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quaker_history
3. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Susan_B._Anthony

Norman Rockwell Museum

Here it is finally. Sorry it has taken me so long.

I got to go home for 2 weeks this year to visit my family and go to one of my oldest friend's wedding. Congrats again Ash and Greg!

One of my favorite places I visited while I was home was the Norman Rockwell Museum,. Normally I wouldn't have gone because it is a little on the pricier side, $16 per adult. Thankfully, the museum I work for in Golden, CO is part of the NARM (NARM website ) and as a staff member we are allowed the privilege to use it. This allows us to see museums for free, if the other museum is also part of NARM.







The Norman Rockwell Museum (NRM)is located in Stockbridge, MA. A quaint little, quiet town tucked in the hills of the Berkshires in Western Mass. "Founded in 1969 with the help of Norman and Molly Rockwell, Norman Rockwell Museum is dedicated to the enjoyment and study of Rockwell’s work and his contributions to society, popular culture, and social commentary."1 "The Museum houses the world’s largest and most significant collection of Rockwell’s work, including 998 original paintings and drawings. Rockwell lived in Stockbridge for the last 25 years of his life."1 His studio was moved from downtown Stockbridge to the museum grounds it is open to the public, May through October. The museum is a not-for-profit educational institution.





Norman Rockwell was born in New York City, NY, February 3rd, 1894, Norman Rockwell always knew that he wanted to be an artist. "At age 14, Rockwell enrolled in art classes at The New York School of Art (formerly The Chase School of Art). Two years later, in 1910, he left high school to study art at The National Academy of Design."2

His best known work even today people know it from The Saturday Evening Post. My mom actually owns one. I couldn't tell you if it's original or a replica, I'm going with replica myself. This is the one she has-

 

I definitely could tell you that one of his most popular paintings is the Thanksgiving gathering. With everyone smiling around the table, with the heads of the household serving up the turkey.

 

Even with these amazing paintings there was controversy with some of them, depending on the time period but that is definitely a story for another time. The Saturday Evening Post, is still around to this day, but I can definitely tell you it is not the same as when Mr. Rockwell was doing the covers. I was very happy to get to see this museum. It is definitely a must see! I was fortunate to be visiting the museum right after the newest temporary exhibit opened in the museum. The 1937 art works of Disney's Snow White. It was amazing!

 

I would have to say my favorite piece in the museum (besides of course the Disney exhibit) would be Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas

(sorry the pic is very small)

 

 

 

 

"In 1973, Rockwell established a trust to preserve his artistic legacy by placing his works in the custodianship of the Old Corner House Stockbridge Historical Society, later to become Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge. The trust now forms the core of the Museum’s permanent collections. In 1976, in failing health, Rockwell became concerned about the future of his studio. He arranged to have his studio and its contents added to the trust. In 1977, Rockwell received the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom."2 He passed away November 8th, 1978.

 



Next up on A Mile above the Syrup: Susan B Anthony Birthplace

1. http://www.nrm.org/about/museum-history/
2. http://www.nrm.org/about-2/about-norman-rockwell/

New England recap

I know it has been awhile since I have posted anything and I am terribly sorry. Work and being home in New England kind of got in the way. Either I was too tired or too busy to get anything down. But I've got lots to tell you about my jaunts around Western Mass and Maine this past June. I know I said my next post would be on the differences in Chowdahs but... I've collected some good stuff to tell you all about!

See you soon!