That box.  Lots of people have them.  C’mon you know what I’m talking about.  That box of stuff that you have collected for years.  That box which is filled with memories of various times in our lives.  These memories are forever bonded amongst the various items we have placed into that box over the course of many years. It may have sat like mine did in the darkest corner of our drawer or closet for years through good times and bad.  The other day while moving some things I came across that box – a shoe box to be exact. In this box were many papers and pictures from when I was a little kid doing a middle school presidential debate, pictures of friends and family, documents from vacations I had gone on almost 10 years ago, and awards and accomplishments. I found myself leafing through all of the items as if it were a lost and buried treasure from some long lost ship wreck many years ago.  Do you ever look at an old picture of yourself and wonder “gee .. i wonder what was i thinking when this picture was taken..”, trying to recount the events that occurred leading up to the picture being taken and what happened soon after the camera was turned off? 

There is a story in each and every item we find in that box, and while it may be a short explanation not worthy of that that five letter word, it is part of our lives and a moment in time that we felt significant enough to save.  While some memories are incapable of being physically placed into a box they are important.  When I find myself in a situation or place I want to remember I create a mental snapshot.  I may lose my keys or wallet or sunglasses all the time but I will never forget that moment in time and can pull it back up like a file on hard drive for myself.  Many times I will mimic what Joe Pesci’s character in the movie ‘With Honors’ did and collect an item (glass, rock, pebble, etc..) to keep.  Anytime I want to think of that time all I have to do is roll it around in my hand and Abracadabra … I’m there again.

All My Friends are Dead

and portrays in around 90 or so pages various objects who have lost or will lose something of a friend to them. It got me thinking about how many friends we lose in the course of our lives. From girlfriends and boyfriends to best friends including those which we thought were friends but only made themselves appear that way to us. I have lost many so called “friends” and the life I live today exists because of the times and memories I shared while with them. Websites like Facebook and MySpace have made the term “friend” merely a number of various faces and storylines of status updates as life speeds on by. I guess in the end you’ll always have one friend that will always be there for you and cannot delete you from their virtual friend list – yourself.  Time does have a way of bringing the right people back into your life so never count anything out.  Guess that’s sometimes easier said than done.

 >  I received the Building Permit from Springfield Township to replace the fence along my front yard.  That will occur August 5, 2010. 

  > A new grill occupies the backyard premises.  Yes there have already been corn on the cob, steaks, burgers, and even chicken cooked on it.  Oh and cannot forget the roasted marshamallows too.

  > The cat door has been installed onto the basement door.  The cats – Jinx and Hope will soon be moving for the first time in their kitty kat lives.

  > If those two updates weren’t exciting enough for you the a desk and bookshelf now occupy what will become the office or the thinking laboratory where ideas are born. 

  > I am attempting to perfect the making of Eggs Over Easy

Here are a few random pics which include a brief look at the “office” and the kitty-kat door.  Additionally Mr. Grill and just a close look at the tile on the kitchen which still needs a few remaining items done to it.  Don’t make fun of the brown teddy bear in the office picture.  That’s Biddy.  I’ve had him since i was a little kid.  Rawr

My rendering of fire truck ride

The 4th of July as a kid was a fun day.  Located within quick walking distance of my parents house when I was a kid was the Grange park.
Every year the local fire trucks would come to the park shuttling kids and some of their parents on a fun ride around the block high atop the vehicles with the blaring sirens and horns in full affect.  (Extremely talented artist rendering above!)
While awaiting he arrival of the fire engines, individually wrapped gum was handed out in handfuls to all the people in line by clowns if I am thinking correctly. Thinking about it now it was an odd thing to provide but the super sugary yumminess definitely tasted great for a good minute until it lost all of its taste.  No sugar free gum to be had then baby!  The 4th of July is about being a piggy with food and letting loose for a day of celebration.  Later on in the day came the free ice pops – yummy twin pops to be exact, that were distributed to the many people throughout the park.  Vanilla was quite tasty. Raiding the block party that took place right near my parents house was fun too.  Later came the fireworks show with the location of choice being Narberth, PA.
Memories…..Happy 4th.