Overcast and damp and not a pleasant day at all. I could not get warm despite heat, extra clothing and an occasional trip to the hot pad. A nice stream of traffic in the store all day, however, so I am not complaining . . . Have decided to explore the mysteries of Ngaio Marsh, a contemporary of Agatha Christie. Her first, A Man Lay Dead, is right up my alley--an isolated manor house with a murdered corpse and a lot of fashionable suspects . . . Just the thing to curl up with on a day like today . . .

A nicer day than predicted and better traffic in the store. Got a neat shipment from Amazon. Some books and a DVD for me, a couple of books for Bob and a game for The Kid; the last was intended for his Easter basket but I doubt that I will be able to wait that long . . . It has now been a year since my radical surgery. I have adjusted pretty well to that, but there is always a new pain on the horizon, it seems . . . We are going to squeak out a "better than last March" month this year but only by a few bucks . . . And here is some more of Steve Day's pottery . . .

Melissa Herman celebrated her birthday today and not yesterday as I had previously reported . . . Dr. Coldren wants his neighbors to know that he and Jack Barnett have become a one-car family and therefore there is now an extra parking space street-side in the 700 block of Green . . . A welcome visit from Lee Spitalny today . . . Given conditions in the city, it has been suggested that we could increase sales immensely if we just stocked MACE . . . The April issue of TheBurg is now available. Did not know that the Mantis Collective which was once on North Street and had moved uptown has now called it quits . . . Bob and I watched Gypsy on TCM last night. Bob had played the Karl Malden part in a local production several years ago and said the role was greatly enlarged for the movie. I find it surprising that this show has been so beloved over the years. The music is okay, but Momma Rose is one of the most obnoxious characters in modern theater. I don't remember my initial reaction when I saw this many years ago, but last night it seemed to be interminable . . . Made in Pennsylvania, Berks County to be exact. We processed the new shipment of Steve Day pottery this morning and it is now on the shelves. Add a few Hershey kisses or miniatures to these plates and you will have a nice Easter hostess gift . . .

Got to the hospital for the blood work and wrote a few checks before being felled by a severe headache and nausea. Bob had to come early to my rescue, but this turned out to be the third straight day without a customer. What is going on? However, that did give him the opportunity to unpack Steve Day's new Petrified Forest pottery--21 new pieces, some of which I plan to photograph and post here soon . . . Looking forward to seeing Dr. Coldren's new car; he was not yet back from the dealer when we closed for the day . . . Uptown neighbors are showing an increased concern for their safety since Bob's incident. Several have stopped to inquire about his health and to get a first-hand description of events. Even the dog walkers who once felt themselves safe are voicing worry . . .

Another sunny but chilly day. Street empty. Second day in a row without a sale. A few quick visits from neighbors. Off to the hospital in the morning for some blood work but we should be back in time to open at eleven. Please, someone, come on by . . .

Happy birthday to Lelia Simmons. Melissa Herman celebrates Wednesday (I think) . . . Spring took a step backward today and the weather should be seasonal (normal) for the next several days. We have been spoiled. The cold breeze was what we might have expected in March, but since we had been so much warmer these last few days today was downright chilly . . . Nothing in the way of business today but still lots of visitors and inquiries about Bob's health following the assault on him. Quite a few of you saw the CBS News21 interview. Bob says that the point of impact on his head is still sensitive but that he can tell it is healing . . . Our Easter cards await your approval . . .

A totally lazy day. Did nothing and talked to no one. Will try to be more newsy tomorrow . . .

Heavy rains forced the cancellation of Harrisburg's St. Paddy's Day parade . . . Most of the day was spent rehashing the assault on Bob as was reported yesterday. Thanks for all your e-mails and phone calls; your support is truly appreciated. Bob was interviewed this afternoon by CBS News21 and the story will run tonight at 11 p.m. if time permits . . . Curious about the woman who lost her car keys in the assault on her. A neighbor gave her garage space to store her car--the thief would only have had to walk the neighborhood and press the button to see which vehicle went with the keys he had. It was discovered in the morning that the window in the garage had been broken but access was not achieved . . .

BOB ASSAULTED MID-MORNING . . .

Bob had dropped me off at The Bare Wall this morning and was returning home from the grocery when he was attacked by a young black teen armed with a brick at Green and Clinton. The boy struck Bob behind the left ear and ran off without demanding anything. As fate would have it, I was telephoning Bob as he stumbled into the house, and I quickly hung up and called 911. No one answered immediately and when I did get a dispatcher she was less than helpful. I explained that we needed assistance in the 1600 block of Green and gave what little info I had. Rather than send a policeman or ambulance she said she would attempt to be in touch with Bob at his house to assess the situation. If she did call she did not reach him; all the more reason to raise the alarm, I would think. In the meanwhile Dr. Bob Coldren and I raced up to Bob's house to do what we could. I was again on the phone to 911 but was told that the Harrisburg police had been informed but that they were busy elsewhere. Anyway, it was a half hour or more before the police responded to our call for assistance and to see if we needed an ambulance . . . Turns out that several neighbors had seen this kid lurking about but none, including Bob, could give a precise description. And if he was roving the streets mid-morning instead of being in school he should have been easy to spot . . . My anger arises from the fact that the police were so lackadaisical in responding to a emergency distress call. They may not have been able to catch the kid, but in the meanwhile Bob might have been on the sidewalk somewhere and bleeding his life away . . . Last night around five at Green and Verbeke a woman just emerging from her car was approached by a black man about 20 who grabbed her keyring and ran. Of course, all the locks in the house had to be changed immediately . . .

Doctor Jay Goodman and his radiology staff replaced the kidney stent without incident this morning but he wants me back in three months to renew it again. No "joy juice" this time; I only felt a small jag and nothing more . . . But I wish I had better news about these pesky headaches which have brought me almost to a standstill. Everyone on the staff has heard of them and quite a few are fellow sufferers. Antibiotics are not effective with this viral strain; it will leave by itself at some point, but perhaps not for six months. Whoop-de-do! I have had them since Christmas, so I am halfway there . . . Thanks to this unusual weather the staff is anticipating a summer of bug and mosquito bites Get out the OFF, folks . . . Ran into Ed Marsico in the hallway when leaving. He was there to see his wife, Suzi, who was also undergoing a procedure. She was resting easy, he told me . . . And here are the Dancing Cats as promised. $38.50 . . .

This is Post #1001. Hard to believe . . . Weather warm but overcast most of the day. Nursed my allergies for the most part and did nothing else . . . Due at the hospital for the stent change early tomorrow morning. Our friend and yours, Mark Stevens, will be manning the store over the lunch hour. Please drop by and say hello even if you don't need anything. You can ask him about his upcoming trip to Ireland and Wales . . . Haven't featured the Dancing Cats here yet, but there is only one Dancing Pig left . . . The large sun face is a stunning piece of art and quite heavy. We had it last fall and now it is back in stock. It is eleven-plus inches wide and sells for $32 . . .

More nice weather resulted in some nice sales . . . The Pat-News ran a story this morning on the allergies that have been plaguing the population for the last several months. I got a headache just reading about it. I could have been interviewed . . . Bob's and my suspicions about gunshots at three a.m. in our uptown neighborhood early Sunday morning were confirmed today. I heard the pop pop from my bedroom in the back and didn't realize that Bob had not only gone to his window but had thrown up the sash and stuck his head out. Luckily, he didn't see anything and wasn't seen. Others in the neighborhood did see a man strolling up the center of Green Street and setting off the rounds into the air. I don't know if the police ever tracked him down . . .

Bradford pears are bursting into bloom. Looks like it is snowing when the wind blows. Thankfully, that is just an illusion . . . Brief visit with artist Earl Blust this afternoon . . . Hope you buy more cards for Easter than you did for St. Paddy's Day . . . Had a phone call from our friend John Goldsmith out in California (known as "Crazy John" around Palm Springs). He recently attended the unveiling of a star for Lily Tomlin on that Walk of Fame we hear so much about. Never one to be shy, John chatted up Carol Channing and Lucy Arnaz and a few other celebs. He is truly enjoying himself out there . . . I was stretched out on my recliner last night trying to break into one of those blister packets that held my sinus pills. You know the kind--easy access if you just peel off the backing in the direction of the arrow. It was a five minute struggle but I finally broke through. Unfortunately, one of the pills slipped out and lost itself in the chair's mechanics. I wrestled with the chair for about ten minutes and finally turned it upside down but to no avail. However, I am happy to announce that the bunch of keys that went missing a few weeks ago were dislodged and are now back into my pocket! The pill, however, got away . . . We featured this heavy metal wall piece at Christmas time but it sold out so fast that few of you saw it. The lady is nine inches round, more or less, and sells for $19 . . .

The sun shines bright and the magnolia trees are in bloom. That display frequently is destroyed by a quick snowfall, but not this year if the weathermen are to be believed. I will be in surgery on Thursday just as this weather cycle peaks . . . JJ has received his spring Smurf Soccer schedule and he will again be on the San Francisco team. The weekly games are played on Friday. Not sure that Uncle Bob and Uncle Ronn will be quite as loyal to the cause as we were last year. And T-ball is just around the corner! . . . I am certain that Bob is going to be pulled over some evening on Third Street and given a DUI; The stretch of road from Harris to Peffer, give or take, is so-o-o-o-o bad and Bob now knows to drive on the left occasionally to avoid the biggest potholes. He swings back and forth for several blocks and someone is sure to notice sometime . . . This not-too-heavy metal bunch of grapes is quite attractive and would make a nice addition to kitchen or rec room. It is roughly ten inches wide and eleven inches deep and sells for $15 . . .

A beautiful day and crowds were streaming downtown all afternoon for the cheap booze and merrymaking. Hopefully most will head home before closing and avoid any unpleasantness that might arise along Restaurant Row. Bob and I are celebrating at home with the traditional cabbage and corned beef dinner which Bob loves and I tolerate . . . Spring continues with flowering plum trees and forsythia . . . As I have mentioned before, when you have a moment you might click on next blog in the streamer overhead. You might get a knitter, a cook, or a family with a newborn. You will also find that some bloggers tire out early and haven't made a new entry for months . . . Annalise MacLeod who is almost one has taken to pointing at everything. Longtime readers of this blog will recall that JJ and then Cecilia did the same thing. We were quite concerned back then until pediatrician Dr. Bob Coldren explained that this was a good thing--the child's faculties are working just as they are supposed to . . . These painted (or not) cast iron dragonflies are intended as paperweights, I assume. They are five inches long and sell for $8 . . .

Dan's blog: http://www.thebewilderedman711.blogspot.com/

Guess the whole neighborhood came alive last night at eleven thirty when gun shots were popping on Briggs Street between Green and Third. Calls flooded 911. A swift response from several squad cars, but nothing further that we could learn . . . I have recently mentioned our friend Dan Browning who is (slowly) recovering from back surgery. He has decided to blog his recovery for us and started yesterday. Today's entry mentioned The Bare Wall for which we are grateful. As soon as I get the basic address for the blog I will pass it along to you. Meanwhile he will be writing to us from Honey Grove in Juniata County which means he is forced to think harder for his material; no midnight gun shots there, I doubt . . .

This indoor/outdoor metal moon makes a nice statement on wall or fence and is roughly eleven and a half inches top to bottom. We had these at Christmas but they went out the door so fast not many of you saw them. The piece sells for $21 . . .

The springtime weather continues . . . Have had welcome reports that there is an increased presence of patrol cars in the neighborhood and last night the bicycle brigade was seen passing thru after dark . . . Received this jigsaw puzzle and was told that if I could complete it I had no reason to fear Alzheimer's at the moment. (If you have not done these on the Net, left click and hold to separate the pile of pieces and then slide each into place.) Go to: http://www.brl.ntt.co.jp/people/hara/fly.swf . . . This "Dancing Pigs" garden sculpture is made of painted cast iron. It is 14 inches long and seven inches high and could be used as an door stop inside. It is heavy and sells for $38.50. Have a similar "Dancing Cats" statue as well . . .

Another absolutely fabulous day. Bob and I took up summer residence on the stoop and greeted everyone who passed. Somewhere down the line we will have to pay for this unexpected and abnormal weather, but let us all enjoy it for now . . . Had a somewhat lengthy chat with my friend Mark F. who, unfortunately, will have to undergo an operation similar to mine in the not so distant future. I tried to assure him that there was minimal pain (or none at all as in my case) and that he would be able to cope with the new restrictions on living without any difficulty. I hope I was able to give him some peace of mind . . . Am hoping to clear out the nine remaining $14 tin signs which are suitable for indoor game room or outdoor patio or garage. The price is down to nine dollars, and could drop further if you bought more than one . . .

Today was The Kid's birthday so we celebrated with tacos and ice cream cake. Not the combination I would have selected, but it wasn't my turn to choose the menu . . . another beautiful day and daffodils a-bloomin' everywhere. Lovely . . . A nice sidewalk chat with Larry Valerio . . . Still have a shamrock cookie cutter left if you haven't yet baked for the St. Pat's weekend . . . Condolences to Lonnie Kerr and Mike Billo who lost their pet dog Sasha Marie overnight . . . New to the Bill Campbell pottery collection are these fluted vases. The fourteen inch one sells for $52; the ten inch one is $31 . . .

For readers in California, New Mexico, Ohio and around the world, be advised that Harrisburg has become "Crime City" big time. In addition to what was reported yesterday here, there was apparently a shoot-out on the Hill that resulted in one soul being in critical condition at the hospital. There was another Saturday night stabbing at the Dragonfly Bar (and that venue is now permanently closed). Just after midnight this morning a state legislator and two staff members were mugged downtown; the car was stolen but two culprits were quickly arrested . . . The mayor has a plan! Since yesterday's shooting took place in a taxi, she will propose an ordinance requiring all cabs to have a protective shield between the passenger compartment and the driver! . . . And, of course, there may be more crime items but the newspaper is a bit slow to report them--or is it the police department that is slow in making these events public? . . . Thought I would revisit Matt Hall's video about Harrisburg on YouTube to see if it is still attracting people. There have been 523 "hits." If you haven't seen it yet, go to: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cf7zdtXvhlo . . . We have a new collection of massage, bath, nail and complexion brushes at various price points. Check these out on your next visit . . .

Wondered if spending nearly 24 hours in bed would in any way help my headaches; it didn't . . . This was a glorious day and even better times are predicted for the rest of the week. I think half the city was promenading along the riverfront . . . another shooting and a couple of muggings in the burg this weekend. This is hardly news anymore . . . Nancy Eshelman's column in the Pat-News caused lots of comment; she thinks the cheap liquor prices at the various venues along Restaurant Row is partly to blame for the violence and that the atmosphere in general promotes confrontation. I think I agree; there certainly isn't anything "family" about the offerings there. And I certainly support a "drink tax" to help in the city's financial crisis . . . Got my first introduction to the IPad this afternoon when Bob and I visited the Battistis. Cecilia and JJ each have one and they were demonstrating the games and educational functions for us. Quite impressive. No wonder they seem to know so much more at their age than I knew back then . . . The cast iron Eiffel Tower is back in stock and perfect for patio or garden. The top lifts off and there is a place for a tea light inside. It stands fourteen inches high and sells for $22 . . .

No particular news from this quarter today. The greatest thing I did was to change a light bulb in the back room; next greatest was to work on a jigsaw puzzle. Bob handled the business . . . JJ's dad Eric responded to our plea for help in getting The Kid his birthday presents. Little did we or Eric know--- He expected a one-stop shopping trip but it turned out that Toys R Us is moving to a new location and the store was in the midst of a 70% off sale and what we wanted was sold out. Eric fled the bedlam and went to a mall where he got eyes on one item we wanted. Yes, it was in stock BUT - - - the game was being introduced at midnight in a Manhattan "sales event" so the store could not let him have it; he would have to return on Sunday. So off he went in search of our other items and we haven't heard from him since !!! . . . We now have a nice selection of blank journals in the $10-$15 range . . .

I am not looking forward to losing an hour's sleep this weekend, but I am looking forward to the continued sunlight in the evening. Remember it is time to adjust your clocks again so Sunday will seem to be a long day . . . PennLive reports that there were two attempted muggings on Boas Street in the last 24 hours or so. One was near Green, the other nearer Third . . . I have the unfair habit this year of characterizing all the residents of a particular state based on the candidate the GOP chooses in its primary. But I feel I have backed myself into a corner; what am I supposed to think of us if Santorum wins Pennsylvania? . . . This owl pitcher is a chubby eight inches high and just begs to be filled with lemonade, ice tea or sangria. (Think summer, folks!) We have two on hand and they sell for $27 . . .

Warm and sunny for most of the day (cloudy late) but not a day to be indoors. Not a single shopper! Bob and I took turns sitting on the stoop and reading our books. Summer cannot be that far away . . . Just a reminder that St. Michael's Lutheran Church on State Street is geared up to supply goodies for your Easter baskets. The candy patties are $1 each this year, and we can put you in touch with Guy or Lindsay if you want to place an order . . . JJ has asked for some stuff for his birthday next Tuesday but both Uncle Bob and I are too out of touch to know just what it is he wants. We need the parents' HELP! . . . This clock with the grape decor on glass is really nice. It is about a foot wide and sells for $25 . . .

A prelude to spring! Warm and sunny. Most welcome . . . Our first client for the Vermont-made loofa mint soap has responded: two thumbs up for this product . . . The mayor and police chief have launched their series of town meetings on crime in the city. The attention is welcome, but for once I wish the authorities would stop telling me how to protect myself and instead tell me what protection they are providing . . . Management tells me that the Midtown Cinema did quite well with its month-long showing of The Artist. The foreign language Oscar winner is the current attraction . . .

Beautiful bright day brought out the shoppers, and the immediate future is to be brighter and warmer still. Hope that provokes more sales; I am already talking to Steve Day and his Petrified Forest company about more pottery (those with leaf images). Have already sold several of the newest pieces . . . TheBurg reports that Garrason's Tavern will reopen soon with a new owner and under a new name. The newspaper also reports on the 'net that breads 'n' spreads on North Third Street has closed its doors . . .

I certainly jumped the gun in yesterday's post when I mentioned preparing an order for English soap. I made the phone call first thing this morning only to find that the warehouse is being moved to a new location and that nothing would be available for another couple of weeks. So you lemon basil soap lovers will have to wait. Sorry . . . However we did receive two huge orders today and one of those contained loofah seaweed soap that is made in Vermont. The generous bar sells for $5 and according to the promotional literature this is the soap that is used aboard ships cruising the Caribbean. It smells really nice . . . FaceBook tells me I have two friends who are celebrating birthdays this week. David Griffith, a former Penn State football player, will party on Thursday and Richard Dension, pastor at Harris Street Methodist Church, marks his birth on Saturday . . .

Probably spent too much time on the couch today despite two brisk walks around the neighborhood. I was deceived by the sunny skies; the temps did not achieve their promise . . . Met yet another person suffering from these painful sinus headaches. He has tried several cures including a seven-dollar-a-dose pill but nothing has helped yet. I am really depressed by all this and feel really worn down. Surely some doctors must realize that something is in the air around here . . . Angela Lawson safely home after a Mexican vacation . . . Wrote an order for English soaps this afternoon. We need to restock the lemon basil big bath bar, by far your favorite from this company . . . The Kid spent his weekend on the slopes of the Pocono Mountains. But even a soon-to-be six year old runs out of stamina eventually . . .

Apparently it was nothing but mayhem on North Street most of the early Saturday hours. Comings and goings with lots of noise as the bar crowds jammed the walkways. All seemed to climax about three-thirty when an assumed bar hopper pulled a knife on someone who promptly pulled out a gun and capped a few rounds. There was a witness, it was reported, but both armed people had already disappeared by the time police arrived. The mayor has scheduled town meetings and given the promise that something will be done, but, frankly, things have deteriorated so badly that I cannot imagine an easy solution. This is not the neighborhood I so enjoyed for the last fifty years . . .

Went to the downtown post office for two booklets of Forever Stamps ($18, incidentally). Arrived at one-thirty and was the fourteenth person in line. There are five windows but only one was open. Any wonder the p.o. is losing to other delivery systems? It seemed that no one ahead of me simply wanted a stamp. There were packages to be weighed, money orders to be written and something with a passport. I kept watching the clock and expecting other clerks to come running, but that did not happen. By two o'clock I was still back in the line and my stamina was beginning to waiver. I wanted desperately just to sit down on the floor for a moment. Then I heard some comments of concern from behind me and saw back in the line a welcome familiar face--Deb Ritchey, a friend and patron of many years. She knew of my health problems and could see I was in distress. Her promise to get me home if I collapsed gave me that little nudge of confidence that I needed and I persevered. (The clerk avoided what could have been a riot by telling a woman attempting to jump the line that she had to wait her turn.) It took another fifteen minutes but I did eventually get the stamps, and by that time the line behind me was just as long as it had been when I joined it . . . The latest issues of TheBurg and Central Voice have arrived and are available to you . . . As to yesterday's post, both Bernie Pupo and Tom Leonard were able to identify Michael McGeehan as the man who planted the bulbs along the street . . .

A nice start to the month of March. Thanks, people. Must be all those new items lining our shelves. The St. Patrick's Day and Easter cards are now on display; just remember that you save 10% when you buy five cards, any sentiment, at one time . . . Was musing about our early history. Lots to think of when you are 40 years old. I recalled that in the very early years we issued an every-now-and-then newsletter that described our merchandise and provided bios on the craftsmen who were showing new product. And what was the name of that Bare Wall newsletter, you might ask? Why, Graffiti, of course . . . And speaking of newsletters, I might recommend that you Google Mt. Gretna Newsletter sometime. JJ and family have a summer home there which he calls The Jungle House since it is secluded among trees and his dad Eric forwards me the monthly goings on in that community. Very interesting even when you don't know the people mentioned--just like this blog, I hope . . . I need some longtime residents of our neighborhood to assist me with this next story because I cannot recall the names exactly. Many years ago Michael and Gary lived in an apartment on North Street. Both worked at least part time at the old Paper Moon/Key Largo restaurant which is now Mangia Qui. Anyway, if I remember correctly, Michael's parents lived in the West Fairview area and he discovered that a flood had deposited lots and lots of daffodil bulbs on the riverbank there. He dug up a basketful and planted them in the tree wells up and down North Street. This was years and years ago and Michael passed at an early age but the little clumps of bulbs continued to spring up each year. I tell you this because today I took a brief walk outside and at the corner of Green and North found two clumps of leaves popping up to welcome spring. Bob doesn't think these produce flowers anymore but I feel certain that I saw blooms there just a year or two ago. What a lovely remembrance of a wonderful guy. Maybe someone can tell me Michael's last name . . .