Heraclitus was the ancient Greek who wrote “you can’t step into the same river twice.” On the money!
I rented the same adorable, quirky house in Bucks County as last year when the whole thing was blissful perfection. Although the house remains adorable and quirky this year’s experience had a few bumps. On day two I launched my rented car into the gully at the side of the ‘challenging’ driveway requiring a visit from AAA.
Car in gully
It took the (very unpleasant) AAA guy an hour to extricate it. In addition, I suspect Avis will not be thrilled with the damage to the front right fender. On the plus side, the car emerged drivable and no one was hurt.
Last year was bug-free. This time something—not a simple mosquito—fed all over me. Four days later the itching subsided.
All my electronics worked except my laptop which refused to hold the Wi-Fi signal.
However, these were minor matters. My houseguests were delightful as were many adventures. There was a painting-and-pottery show at which guest #1, a pottery devotee, admired the work and chatted with the potter. Guest #2 and I went to the Moravian Tile & Pottery Works on the National Registry of Historic Places and had a great time seeing the place, learning about the founder, Henry Chapman Mercer, and meeting a young tile-maker who demo-d some of the processes.
A demo at the tile works
I connected for lunch with a friend I hadn’t seen for years. The produce stands were great; I ate some of the best corn ever. Frenchtown, just across the Delaware, remains entertaining if crowded on weekends. Older daughter and her partner came for Labor Day weekend which included a visit to the Stover Grist Mill open only once a year for tours; a mini-hike; dinner at Caleb’s American Kitchen, an excellent restaurant in the ‘hood, and Scrabble.
To my mind, a caprese sandwich when tomatoes are really good spells summer (OK, end of summer.) Note: The pesto called for isn’t classic pesto; it’s what the recipe creators call “creamy basil sauce.” Real pesto—homemade or bought would be fine as well and especially great if you’re anti-mayo.
Caprese Sandwich – courtesy Cookie and Kate
and caught a train back to Lisbon.
produced socks. Only the first floor is complete although three more are planned and partly in the works. Some played a card game of matching the faces of famous women past and present, some wove yarn into a sort of timeline, some eyed the bench that Susan B. Anthony may have once sat on.
while showing how Chinese Americans have survived in economically marginalized environments.
I’ve never understood but maybe my Shreveport, LA-born grandfather might have), the restaurant features classic American soul food.
