Seth’s Sightings by

The summer days we experienced last week are in stark contrast to the snow flurries that were falling the day I wrote this column. Ah, Spring in the Poconos. I’m pleased that the brief hot spells have gotten lots of the flowering trees underway. The magnolia at our office has a beautiful display of white and purple flowers. Our cherry trees at the house have their bloom ready, and so too do our lilac bushes. Now I’m hoping we can be frost-free through the blooming season.

We did make the mad dash to Worcester, MA, to the family seder there midweek. We ran into traffic in Connecticut and arrived halfway through the meal. It was nice to see family. On our way up, we ate at Noches de Columbia in Newburgh, NY – part bakery, part Columbian restaurant – fun. On our way home, we stopped at Rein’s Deli in Vernon, CT, for some of their sweet kugel and a big meaty sandwich.

We also made a four-generations family gathering

Seth Isenberg

in Princeton, NJ, that next Saturday. The event brough 18 adults to the home of my 99 year-old aunt, plus 7 great-grandchildren from 1 year-old Asher to 13 yearold Natalie. Add three dogs into the mix as well. That day went long… we reached home by midnight.

After all that driving, we have stayed close to home and prepared to restart chemo on me (started this week – I’m a bit tired but okay…).

On our drive in to the Journal office, one family has its chickens out, which led me to wonder whether the chickens are trainable to stay away from the road. We’ve sighted fox, raccoon, possum, and several mystery animals, plus a hawk flying low with a small rodent in its clutches.

Ruth and I supported the WBS Penguins at their final game of the season. They battled a better team to a 4-4 tie, and then lost with the opponent’s first shot on goal in overtime. We’ll pack away the Penguins gear and have it ready for October, and plan to keep tabs on Lehigh Valley in the Calder Cup playoffs.

Tax time was the usual stressful week. It’s harsh. We sent out our checks on the day they are due after completing our records over the previous week – dull, dull.

We took a break from tax preparing to take a beautiful ride in northern Lehigh County, enjoying the greening of the area and lots of flowering trees.

With the gas prices being up, inflation will pinch again. I plan to offset those costs with extra cash from lower heating bills and no more hockey trips.

The big forest fire north of White Haven burned around Crystal Lake and out toward the turnpike. At one point the turnpike was closed as the fire had come to the highway and there was very heavy smoke. Rains later that week helped tamp the fire, and crews put it out early this week. That fire burned about 4,300 acres when it was contained. As I write this, new fires have started hereabouts, some started by a simple toss of a cigarette still lit.

I am still watching the amazing weather in the Sierras of California. While we experienced 80 degree days, it’s supposed to snow

See SIGHTINGS, page 5

Sightings

Continued from page 4 another six inches at the Donner Ski Ranch (at the pass). They now are literally inching toward an all-timerecord of over 700 inches of snowfall. At Donner Pass, the days are now warm but most nights are well below freezing. According to the California snow expert we’ve been following, the warm then cold weather sets the snowpack into what he called “California concrete,” not snow anymore but a form of ice now 30+ feet deep, which will last well into the summer.

I’ve some springtime yardwork to complete. Ruth is still on crutches, so options on activity out and about are still limited. Perhaps we’ll just relax in our back yard with the dogs.

Once Ruth is more mobile, we are looking at attending a small wine fest co-sponsored by the Carbon County Chamber of Commerce in Lehighton on May 6. On May 7, Knoebels amusement park hosts WVIA day where members ride for free.

Assuming our mobility, we’re planning to have a picnic with friends there and bringing the dogs. Good health to you all ‘til next month.