Saturday, March 30, 2013

Easter, A.K.A. The Remler Egg Bowl

Most families celebrate Easter by arising to find a basket left by a magic rabbit, going to church, and enjoying a delicious ham dinner. Cavities aside, it sounds nice, doesn't it? A great way to enjoy the spring weather and recognize the reason we are all Christians.

That's what most people do.

This is what Remlers do:





Our Easter does include church, bunnies, and food, but that's just the boring part. Actually, the Remler Easter should be renamed the Egg Bowl. Let me explain.
Pop Pop and Max served as spectators for much of the day.

First of all, there will always be hats. Usually, said hats are made ahead of time, decorated with bunny ears or duck bills or some such nonsense, and upon arrival all aunts, uncles, and cousins are told they must wear them. This year's Easter event (which actually took place on Saturday for easier scheduling) we heightened the hat tradition by making the day's first event an arts and crafts session during which we made our own visors.

Afterward, we collected them all and had a hat contest. If I remember correctly, this year's winner was Kathryn Fortenberry, who won for her efforts a miniature bottle of Tangueray gin. Did I mention Remler Easters also involve alcohol? It fortifies us for what comes next.


Following the arts and crafts session comes the Laugh Olympics. Before we could start, we needed Bob to arrive. When he did, he was sporting a woman's wig that his sister in-law had purchased for a buck at some yard sale. He left the wig on all afternoon, and he won the prize for being the most hirsute. 
I can't help thinking he looks just a little bit like Bob Seeger. What do you think?

The the Laugh Olympics commenced. This photo of Kelley should explain the name:
I like this photo of Kelley because it reminds me that a year ago, we were all just hoping she would live.
Clearly, she's all right now.

The Laugh Olympics took place in four events:
  • Some kind of contest during which people had to throw jellybeans across the yard into muffin cups,
  • Another event during which people had to transport jellybeans in plastic spoons across the yard--while blindfolded--and, with the instruction of a wigged coach, dump said jellybeans into a glass, 
  • And a bunny hopping sack race.
  • An egg toss.

Those teams ran their hearts out, as you can see in y opening video. By the way everyone is yelling and cheering, you'd think they were competing for a $10,000 prize. And what amazes me the most is that Bob Remler's wig stayed on during the entire bunny hop race.
Look at Taylor's hair a-flyin'.

In spite of Stephen Remler's crash in the bunny hop sack race, his team won the Laugh Olympics. Their prize? A string of genuine gold colored plastic beads, an M&M trophy, five dollars, and (for the adult competitors) mini bottles of various alcoholic beverages (Lawson had to opt out on that part--he should have gotten extra M&Ms.) By this point, Bob's wig had begun to look normal on him, which is odd because it had also sprouted a giant pink flower.


Look at the proud photo of the winning team. That was worth wasting two dozen eggs, don't you think?

Following the Laugh Olympics came the Remler Easter Bocce Ball Bonanza. For all other events, I served as the sports photographer, but I just had to get my name in the bocce bracket, so I teamed up with Alicia Visotsky, and we tore up against Jelly and Kelsey. Unfortunately, we soon lost to Ben Bob and Wigged Bob.

 Bocce is more challenging when players wear bunny ears, wigs, and flourescent green visors.
Davis served as the bocce commissioner, wielding his tape measure in order to ensure all bocce games were played and scored accurately.

 There was no prize for the bocce bonanza. I'm still trying to figure that one out. I suppose by the time it was all over, we were just too tired.

But it was a splendid day. It was good to see everyone again, especially Davis, who was able to come home for the long weekend. And JoJo was happy to see most of her grandchildren and all of her children--no matter what they put on their heads.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Spring Break in the Balmy Big Apple, Volume IV

Day four of spring break found me walking. I walked and walked. The Today Show's Al Roker warned me that Tuesday would bring lots of rain, so I knew that if I wanted to get out and about in the Big Apple, I would have to do so on Monday.

So I checked out of my hotel in New Rochelle and took the train into the city. I hoofed it from Grand Central to my hotel, four or five blocks down 42nd Street, rolling my big suitcase behind me. After leaving that big bag in the room, I stepped out the front door of the Hilton Manhattan East to find a location of Patsy's Pizzaria right there on Second Avenue! Well, I had to have lunch there. Patsy's became a favorite of mine when I first ate there with Lawson and Great Aunt Dawn on our famous trip to New York in February 2011. We ate there before splurging on giant sundaes at Serendipity. Since then, I've taken Stephen and Davis to Patsy's when we brought Davis to college, so when I spied a Patsy's location so close to my hotel, I considered it serendipity and lunched there on eggplant parmesan.


Afterward, walked back to Grand Central and took the subway down to Union Square, and there began my walk around the lower part of Manhattan to see what I could see.

My first stop, oddly enough was Whole Foods. I've never been in one, and as I write, Whole Foods is busily constructing a new store on Victory Drive in Savannah. I wanted to see what the fuss was about. When I first entered, I thought, What's the big deal? It's a grocery store. Then I walked to the back of the store where the deli foods are. Then I thought, Oh, I get it. The place looks more like a cafeteria than a grocery store deli. People at home are going to love the selection. Welcome to Savannah, Whole Foods!

After that quick tour, I walked down Broadway, taking a right onto 18th Street and then heading south another block or two to Washington Square, where I sat down for a few minutes to rest.
As I gazed upon the arch, I wondered, Where can I find a big, sugary drink? Today is the last day I can have one. Nothing says America like a super-sized Coca-Cola, especially after an afternoon walk in the big city. I'm surprised I didn't see New Yorkers left and right sucking on their Big Gulps, but oddly enough, they were out playing and enjoying the day. All that thought of delicious cold beverages made me realize I had to find a bathroom. But that's one challenge of vacationing in the city--most locations do not open up their restrooms to just anybody. However, the NYU Library lay just ahead, so I headed there. 

Unfortunately, the library is open only to students, faculty, and staff of NYU. Go figure. But I didn't let that deter me. I spoke to the security guard, brandishing my Armstrong faculty ID, and said I was a guest of the university and had to do some important research at NYU. He gave me library privileges for one visit only, which was enough for me to find a toilet. However, I also found a really neat exhibit about the history of NYU, which included this wall of portraits of the university's past presidents. 
I also browsed the stacks and looked for a copy of Dunaway's Crossing, but sadly didn't find one.

Then my walk resumed down LaGuardia Place into SoHo and back to Broadway, where I worked my way back up to Union Square, where I sat and rested again, before strolling through the Monday local farmer's market. The produce looked really good, and I wish I could have bought some of it, but I don't know how I would have gotten it home to Savannah. It did remind me to make a visit to the Forsyth Park farmer's market sometime soon. 
From there I walked up Fifth Avenue, noticing from my map that the Flat Iron Building should be just ahead.On my way, I noticed a weird looking guy with kinky, curly, grayish hair walking my direction, pushing a strange little cart loaded with what looked like books and office supplies. The cart caught my attention more so than the man, but we happened to make eye contact, so I said a quick "hey" before moving along. Then I realized I'd spoken to Howard Stern. I have no idea why he was pushing a cart of office supplies, but he must have been just as puzzled by a Paula Deen sounding woman in a bright red coat speaking to him.

As I continued my walk, I looked and looked for the Flat Iron Building, but I didn't see it. I would have missed it if it hadn't been for a man on the corner ahead of me taking photos. I realized then that I'd been walking beside it for a whole block, and I hadn't thought to look up.
Across the street from the Flat Iron Building is Madison Square Park, home of the original Madison Square Garden. By this time, my feet were pretty sore, so found a bench and sat again, this time enjoying an apple I'd bought at the grocery store in New Rochelle. Temps had risen considerably, so I also shed my red jacket. The weather was a stark contrast against the snow I'd flown into just three days before.
From there, I resumed my walk on Madison Avenue, having never walked that street before. I was glad I did because I eventually came to the Pierpont Morgan Library and Museum. Unfortunately, it's closed on Mondays, but I thought that might be a nice indoor excursion for a rainy Tuesday, so I made a mental note to return. I had to take a photo of this banner outside the library because it reminded me of Lloyd Davis, my paternal grandfather, who always used to call me Miss LaLa:
Finally, I'd made it back to the hotel, and I was delighted to find in the lobby an urn of hot chocolate, so I poured myself a cup and while it was not a super-sized cup of it, I found it refreshing and a nice treat after a long afternoon's walk. In my room, I relaxed for about an hour before changing for dinner, and as I watched the news, I learned that the Supreme Court of New York had just ruled that Mayor Bloomberg's law against the twenty-ounce soda was "arbitrary and capricious." At that moment I heard the huge sigh of relief from New York soda lovers across Manhattan. I made a mental note to order a giant Coke at dinner, feeling fortunate to be in New York on this momentous historic occasion.

I dined at a New York landmark I'd never heard of before:  The Palm. I just happened to see it on Google Maps on my phone, but as it turns out The Palm has been a beloved New York eatery since 1926, and it soon became a favorite among journalists and newspaper cartoonists. The restaurant's owners had no decorating budget, and the cartoonists of nearby King Features Syndicate often had no food budget, so they drew on the walls in exchange for meals. The result is an entertaining mural featuring some well-known cartoon characters. I sat next to Funky Winkerbean. I couldn't help noticing, though, that the characters took on personalities they couldn't in the Sunday papers. For instance, newspaper funnies seldom feature topless women.
As I dined, I read about the history of the Palm in my iPhone,and I discovered that the restaurant has locations all over the country. There's even one in Atlanta! So I texted Sabra and told her she and Martin should have a date there sometime soon.

By the time I'd finished dinner, I was wiped out, so by 7:30, I was back in my hotel room getting ready for bed. Tuesday is supposed to be rainy all day, so I will either spend it exploring the Morgan Library and Museum or the New York Public Library. I have time to decide.








Monday, March 11, 2013

Spring Break in the Mostly Melted but Still Chilly Big Apple, Volume III

The snow has mostly melted, even though in the shady spots it still clings to the ground and roof tops. It was a beautiful day Sunday, but because Davis and I packed so much into Saturday, we took a much more relaxing approach to Sunday.

Davis started the morning by sleeping through it. Finally, at noon I woke him and reported that I was hungry and ready to cook our remaining eggs and grits. He was welcome to share them if he wanted. He accepted that offer and we dug in to another southern breakfast. While he was sleeping, I had even made him a pitcher of sweet iced tea, no small feat with hotel room sugar packets.

Outside our window is Long Island Sound, and we became curious about the neighborhoods along the coast, so we set out to find them. Using the GPS in our phones (Boy, have we given that ap a workout this weekend!), we followed the map to New Rochelle's bay-front homes. The houses  themselves are similar to the homes in the neighborhood where I grew up in Hawkinsville (or like the houses in Savannah's Mayfair or Wilmington Park), but the back yards consist of private beaches along the blue waters of the sound. After driving around a bit, we found Hudson Park, where we could stop the car and view a regatta in progress.

Those sailors must have been freezing in those little boats because the wind was pretty brisk coming of the water. but they made a spectacular view, and the park had a band shell, a pavilion, and several monuments that made it a nice little place to take a walk. Also, when I climbed atop the rocks, I could take some photos of those attractive waterfront homes I'd just seen from the car.




Afterward, we went to a movie, Over 21, a comedy about college students drinking too much and having an all night adventure. It's Sixteen Candles goes to college or The Hangover on fraternity row. It gave us a few good laughs. 

Our post-movie activity was to drive to Yonkers to have dinner with the Dronzek family. Davis has befriended their oldest child David, also a student at SUNY Maritime, and much to Stephen's and my delight, the Dronzek's have welcomed Davis into their home as if he's one of their own. I just had to meet the people Davis has told us so much about, so they joined us for dinner at a lovely local Yonkers restaurant called Gianna's. Caryn, Dave, David, Kevin, and Jessica were so nice and so easy to talk to, and I immediately realized why Davis has taken to them so much. I enjoyed meeting them all. And then they invited us to their home for dessert and coffee. David's grandparents, Pete and  Grace, also joined us, and they were such sweethearts. We had a fun night eating crumb cake, looking at photos from indoctrination graduation, and talking sports. 



Unfortunately, the time soon came for Davis and David to return to the college, so the three of us loaded up our little rental car, and we drove over to Throgg's Neck. By the way, if anyone can explain to  me what a Throgg is and why its neck is significant, I'd be so appreciative. It was not easy saying goodbye to my boys, and I gave him three big hugs before sending him into his dorm, but I did have a wonderful weekend with him, and I am looking forward to seeing him again at Easter. Meanwhile, I express my sincerest thanks to the Dronzeks. When Stephen and I can't be withDavis, it's a relief to know he knows a wonderful family he can call on if he needs help.


Saturday, March 9, 2013

Spring Break in the Somewhat Warmer Big Apple, Volume II

This morning, Davis enjoyed his eggs and grits, mixing them up in his bowl, just like he's always done at home. Nothing like a big breakfast to start the day. It's a good think we ate hearty because we didn't eat anything else until supper. We were too busy enjoying the beautiful weather.

We started the day with a trip to Woodlawn Cemetery. I've been wanting to go there since August because for the last several months I've been reading Moby Dick, and when I read up on Herman Melville's biography, I learned he is buried there. My last trip to New York was filled with making sure Davis got enrolled in college, so I was unable to amble among the headstones. So this trip, I put Woodlawn on my must-see list.

Using the GPS device in my iPhone, Davis and I drove over to the cemetery, but when we arrived, we discovered the gate the phone took us to was locked. Our next strategy was to drive around the exterior of the cemetery until we found an open gate. There had to be one somewhere. But it was kind of hard to see because ahead of us was this big white van running its flashers, and it was obscuring our view.We couldn't understand the purpose of the flashers, and they were quite distracting in our search for the open gate.But a few minutes later, we realized that the car behind us had on flashers too. We were in the middle of a funeral! What luck! We just continued on, looking somber as we drove, until we followed the line of cars into the back gate of Woodlawn. From there, we followed the dotted line on the main road to the cemetery office, where we picked up a map.



We drove right to Herman Melville's grave, and I must say that although the numerous rocks on the head stone indicated an abundance of visitors, the size of the marker among the many elaborate monuments made poor Herman look pretty insignificant. Still, I posed for a photo of it. But Herman Melville's grave was Mount Rushmore next to the head stone of Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen. He didn't even have a headstone to himself. He had to share one with his adopted father. And Davis and I had to search among the rows and rows of headstones to find him. But we finally did.


We also took some photos of some of the more attractive monuments. Note to Stephen:  When I die, a mini parthenon would be nice, but I especially like the nice domed monument. Note to Lawson: Make sure you outlive Davis because when he buys the farm, he wants you to buy him a granite edifice to preserve his memory. Any of the below models will suffice.






But that was just phase one of the day's activities. The next item on the itinerary was a trip to SUNY Maritime College, this time in the daylight. Davis and I strolled the campus in the bright, fifty-degree sunshine. He showed me the campus library,

The maritime museum,


in which were several of Davis's classrooms.


He also showed me the campus Canada geese. Geese are everywhere around here.

And then he gave me a tour of the Empire State, the college's training ship. Davis showed me where he slept and ate during indoctrination. He also took me to bow of the ship and showed me the bridge. He explained how the big orange life boats worked, and he explained how they will open up the holds and lower in the food and supplies when they go on their summer cruise. Impressive. This summer, Davis will cruise to New Orleans, New Foundland, and Dublin, Ireland.






After the tour of the campus, we drove out to the Hamptons so I could see where Davis rode out Hurricane Sandy. He stayed with his friend David Dronzek in Hampton Bays, and afterward, while classes were canceled, Davis and David cleaned up the neighborhood and helped get the local  marina back in order. We drove out to the beach, where Davis told me how the dunes had been damaged from Sandy. He also showed me where he and David had gone fishing and caught some sizable striped bass.



Because of a recent winter storm and the high tides, water covered the road to the beach, so we parked in a nearby lot and hoofed it over the dunes and onto the beach. I picked up several moon snails while the waves crashed onto the sand. I hadn't realized the waves were so big in the Hamptons. Now I know why Montauk is a favorite place to surf.


At the end of our walk, we realized we had not had lunch, and it was already five o'clock. So we drove back to the Bronx and found a nice local restaurant in Pelham, where we discussed what we might want to do on Sunday. We still haven't figured it out yet, but we have a feeling there are some other fun things to do in New York. Stay tuned...

Spring Break in the Frozen Big Apple,Volume I

Instead of gearing up for a St. Patrick's Day parade (we have no son marching in it this year), I decided to spend a portion of my spring break in New York visiting my first-born son. Since many of my readers have been so thoughtful and generous to stay in touch with him and send him care packages, I thought I would upload some posts about my visit, so you all could learn more about his life up in the cold north.

I had planned to spend all of Friday with him, booking a 7 am flight, which would put me in the Bronx by 10:00. A tour of campus and the regiment's training ship was on the agenda. Unfortunately, Mother Nature and Delta Airlines had other plans, and I found myself circling over Washington, DC for two hours before landing at Dulles to refill the gas tank. Fortunately, the snow over New York lifted enough for our plane to make it to LaGuardia, but descending through those snow clouds had me saying the rosary all the way to the tarmac. By the time Davis and I hooked up, my first order of business was to find a liquor store.

Once here, though, we set out to have a good time. We took care of housework first, getting our rental car, finding that liquor store, buying some eggs I could cook along with the grits I brought with me (Davis hasn't had grits since Christmas. He has dark circles under his eyes as a result). But eventually we did make it to campus  just before dark, and Davis had time to show me his dorm room and pick up his pillow and peanut M&M's, a gift from Skippy.



To all the Remlerville readers who have sent care packages, thank you very much. Davis has enjoyed all his goodies, and he proudly showed me his "pantry," which is the foot locker he was issued upon arrival at SUNY Maritime. Overflow lives in his bottom desk drawer:


 And that's about half the storage space he has in the room. The rest of it, which consists of his closet, must stay in the same arrangement for inspection:


For any Remlerville readers who went to UGA, I can compare Davis's dorm to the mid-century dorms in Athens:  Russell, Creswell, Brumby, Hill, Mell. The architecture of the building is similar. the only difference is that 1) the rooms are smaller (maybe that's because  they've crammed three guys into Davis's room instead of the usual two) and 2) they're dim.

When we walked into Davis's room, I said, "This is pretty nice. Turn on the light so I can see it."

His reply: "The light is on."

Sure enough it was. SUNY Maritime's student housing units provide the boys with what looks like a 25 watt bulb. Davis also has a desk lamp, which illuminates his desk, but that's about it. I guess that's one way to encourage the guys to get outside and play.



But if you ever communicate with Davis on Skype or Facetime and you see him sitting at his desk with the door  in the background, you're pretty much looking at his whole room. If he's preparing for a career on a ship, he has to get used to those close quarters. Still, I think he was delighted to come with me to the local Residence Inn to enjoy the vast square footage that is my hotel room.

On Saturday's itinerary: Woodlawn Cemetery, a daylight campus tour, and East Hampton. Stay tuned!