Seth’s Sightings

Our early January plans were kaput because Ruth and I caught colds. That laid us up had us keeping close to home. We missed the Farm Show, we missed hockey games. I missed a meeting with my surgeon.

Our ailing had us a bit low. To pass the time, I listened to music and watched YouTube videos. Ruth and I read some mysteries mainly British writers like Elly Griffiths and Hilary Mantell, and American Martha Grimes who often writes British mysteries. Among the various YouTube discoveries was a scifi series Andromeda from the early 2000s, and musically, a fantastic Swiss yodeler Melanie Oesch, and her family; plus episodes of All Murders in the Building, Blue Bloods and the new Night Court.

Feeling ourselves again, we made our way into Philadelphia to see a friend mid-month. We drove down the PA Turnpike at 70 mph plus and were passed by many fellow travelers. Taking it up a notch, we were still passed as drivers hit 100 mph on some of the open straightaways. I tried to keep out of their way.

It was an Eagles weekend, and the Schuylkill Expressway was a slow drive filled with Eagles fans. They were rewarded by the Eagles winning that night’s game versus the Giants easily. We sighted lots of buildings sporting Eagles green. One of the bank towers had a message rotating on the top of one of the bank buildings Go Eagles!, then E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES! The boathouses on Boathouse Row had their

LED lighting programmed to Eagles green.

The Philadelphia Eagles’ win over the San Francisco 49ers the next week means a trip to the Super Bowl for them, and a trip to a sporting goods store for us. Most of the sports gear we own is Penguins-related. Neither of us own anything Eagles (I do own a Patriots scarf). I’m game to add Eagles wear, as I’ve been a fan since settling in here, and Ruth has a lot to do with making me that fan which means we need hats and scarfs, and we’ll see what else can be had.

A football p.s. is a congratulations to Penn State football for their impressive win in the Rose Bowl. On another Penn State note, their men’s AND women’s ice hockey teams are ranked nationally…We Are Penn State (at least some of us).

The warmer and less snowy conditions of this winter have encouraged the local geese to stay put.

by Seth Isenberg

later, we drove up to the Big Boulder ski area to see the night skiers and families enjoying the tubing slopes there.

It’s kind of too bad for folks who view these birds as winged rats, but there’s still something wonderful about watching and hearing a vee of geese fly away. We made a stop at the Penn Forest Township Park on Sunday afternoon, and while we were walking the dogs, a small vee of geese launched itself overhead, toward nearby

Treat your best friend with treats from Beastie Treats Pet Supplies & Grooming in Blakeslee

Bear Creek Lake. On that same trip just

I continue to follow the UConn Lady Huskies and am excited about their big game versus the #1 team in the country, South Carolina’s Lady Gamecocks. UConn is short-handed right now, but hopefully will have at least one more team member back for the big game. UConn is ranked number 5 ahead of this matchup. After South Carolina, UConn has tough opponents including a #9 ranked Villanova team as the Big East gets ready for their tournament.

See SIGHTINGS, page 5

Sightings

Continued from page 4

Our local AHL team enters a challenging stretch where they have to play at a higher level to be seen as a playoff contender. Their recent game versus Bridgeport turned out more fans, and the WBS Penguins turned out a nice win. Here’s hoping that will continue this week and next versus division rivals.

The Bridgeport game featured a series of fundraiser to support local efforts to fight cancer. After the game, Ruth and I participated in a “paint the ice” fundraiser, donating to be able to walk onto the playing surface and paint messages of hope, and remember those in our lives who have passed away from cancer. We painted three spots and were near to support some other friends as they painted. Each of us also managed to paint our own hands.

Me? I’m getting near my surgery date. My battle with my little rare cancer goes high-tech at UPenn’s HUP, and I’ll be in recovery by the next Journal of Penn-Kidder if all goes to schedule.

On another happy note, we return to Daylight Savings on March 12…restoring our evenings as I recover and get out and about again.

To all, warm wishes during these cold weeks, happy Valentines and Presidents Days, and keep healthy.