I admit that I was a little bit spoiled by living in Pennsylvania my entire life. I take for granted the availability of inexpensive, non-commerical, family-friendly places to visit where I can picnic, look at some water, spend time in a clean, quiet forest, and even learn a little bit about history. I have been able to do all of these things in the many parks that surround the places where I have lived. I was able to do all of these things during the three summers that I vacationed in Northern Michigan as well.

Back in 1994 when I was still in high school, my hometown of Berlin, PA decided to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the Whiskey Rebellion. Plans were made for a big festival. The event was to include, among other things, an essay contest for the school kids, a race, and of course a parade. I was in the Berlin Brothersvalley High School Marching Band at that time, so I would march in it. This was to be a very big deal.

Bedford County, PA still looks pretty much the way I see it in old pictures and in my mind. At Shawnee State Park, the little swing still sits in its secluded picnic area at the top of the hill overlooking Shawnee's lake and beach. I have a 30-year-old picture of that same swing set, with me and my sister and my dad posing in front.

Last weekend, Jonathan took me to see flowers and butterflies and shop for shoes.

I like to collect free stuff when I go to special events. Even when the admission to a festival is free, there is usually a parking charge, plus the expense of food from usually overpriced vendors. I somehow feel better about the entire outlay when I bring home things that I didn't have to pay any money to obtain.

My Grandma Gaffron and my Aunt Sue had a prime piece of real estate. At least, they had use of it for 24 hours, time enough to watch of the State College Fireworks in 2003. A new hotel had been built on the edge of town, less than a year previously. Gram and Aunt Sue had rented a room on the side that would face the massive fireworks celebration that was to take place that night. Since the hotel was so new, we could not be assured of our vantage point for the show, but it looked promising.

I was about ten years old the first time that I celebrated the Fourth of July in Pittsburgh. Back then, my late maternal grandfather was still a city motorcycle patrolman. My sister Katie and I were staying with my grandparents that week, and I remember my grandfather dressed in his police uniform, returning in the late afternoon to the house in Carrick where my grandparents had raised six children.

If you are planning on buying Wal-Mart flip-flops, you should probably buy them now. Another week, and your size (not to mention preferred color and style) could very well be gone, not to be seen again until next March. How do I know this? I'm an expert because I worked in the shoe department of a Wal-Mart during the summer of 1999.

Jenny at Age 21: My First Post-College Job

Hi, again. This is Jonathan's wife, Jenny. Jonathan is currently on the way home from our friend Charlie's ordination as a priest at the cathedral at Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Congratulations, Rev. Charles Cortinovis!

Anyway, since Jonathan has been busy and will continue to be busy in the upcoming week, I am going to start blogging my perspective of our trip to Santa Fe, New Mexico for another friend's wedding.