Aches and pains woke me very early this morning so I grabbed a pad and began a few lines for tonight's blog. Big questions now: what was I writing about and where is the pad? Oh, well. Maybe the news will still be good tomorrow or when the pad next emerges . . . Autumn cannot be too far away judging from the new items coming into the shop. Pumpkins, witches, black cats, maple leaves--you get the picture . . .

We all know what BYOB means, don't we? Don't be too sure. While paging through the Upper Dauphin Sentinel this week I ran across a BYOB ad from The Squirrel Farm, which, I assume, is a dairy store in Millersburg. Anyway, if you Bring Your Own Banana they will give you fifty cents off your banana split !!! . . . Something totally unAmerican is afoot in Midtown. A few people are advocating additional property taxes ($60) to hire some off-duty policemen to patrol the streets Maclay to Forster, Front to Sixth for a few late evening hours;  hopefully this will discourage the multitude of muggings which have been taking place there. How two officers at the corner of Sixth and Maclay will prevent muggers at Boas and Front is beyond me. Someone is not thinking logically. And if the neighborhood hires its own officers will Harrisburg police still respond to calls there? But here is the scam part: one must cast a negative vote to defeat this proposal rather than a positive one to approve it. In essence it is already passed and your money is in their pocket!!! If this is such a good idea I think Third Street businesses should pay the tab and not home owners on fixed incomes . . . We have signed up for additional e-mails on this action but have not yet received any from anyone . . .

Bob and his neighbor Betty Holmboe observed their private Christmas tradition today and invited Janet Reed and me to join them. I have reported this before over the years. The two neighbors found that they could not do justice to their friendship during the holiday season since both were busy with other friends so they decided they would celebrate with all the trimmings in July instead. All the trimmings--ham dinner, gifts and Christmas tree; it was quite an event . . . Got caught up in the party and the Olympics and forgot to post this Sunday night; Sorry . . .

Bob and I are still analyzing Friday night's opening of the Olympics. We have pretty much decided that the "History of Britain" segment just wasn't that good . . . A rain shower chased the CAN picnic inside but there was still plenty of food and fellowship . . .

Joanne and Eric safely home after an amble through New England . . . TheBurg for August has arrived. You will find Bob quoted in one of the stories; I will let you discover which . . . Our friend Joe Kershner in York has sent us a five-page document listing dozens of stores and restaurants offering discounts to senior citizens aged 55 and more. There are many venues in our area from Arby's and Bon-Ton to Wendy's and Big Lots. But, remember, you have got to ASK. The discount is not automatic. It might be fun to take a month or so and see just how much you can save . . .

You've asked where Bob and I celebrated our anniversary last night. After much consideration Bob decided we would simply stay home and he made me a beef roast, my favorite. And tonight, despite the heat, he is making me beef noodle soup, surely my second favorite . . . Think I mentioned a few weeks ago that the Hodge Podgery had reopened on North Third Street. I have now been told by Larry Binda at TheBurg that it has closed again . . . I am still haunted by the fact that we lost those three big shade trees on our block earlier this week. I have come to realize that my End of Days are oh so much nearer than I thought. Even if something were planted tomorrow I will not live to see it mature . . . Our CAN clan will hold its annual picnic in the MacNett yard on Saturday. Perhaps we should talk about establishing a tree planting committee . . .

Today's TripAdvisor visitors were a mother and daughters, Carolina natives now living in Carlisle. They are craftsmen in their own right and were scouting other handmade items . . . Our neighbors in the 800 block were the victims of "metal hunters" this week; their iron garden gate was stolen. Apparently this has happened to several other people as well in our area . . . The heat wave is to return tomorrow. If the temps reach the high nineties or beyond I am sure we will close early . . . Dr. Bob Coldren is back in town after a couple of weeks in Provincetown . . . Diane Neiper ran across this MEDICAL WARNING and wants me to share it with all of you:

When you drink vodka over ice, it can give you kidney failure,

when you drink rum over ice, it can give you liver failure,

when you drink whiskey over ice, it can give you heart problems,

when you drink gin over ice, it can give you brain problems........

apparently, ice is really bad for you!! Warn all your friends!!!

Today the 700 block of Green Street became the city's newest hot spot as three large shade-producing trees were removed. The roots reportedly were threatening the building's foundations, but what is left of the street scape can best be described as urban desolation. We will look blighted until we get used to it but I am happy to report that there will be replacement plantings as soon as the sidewalk is rebricked. Let's hope that is soon . . . Today's TripAdvisor visitors were from Stillwater, Minnesota. They were glad to escape the heat and bustle of New York City . . . Still trying to adjust to the new PennLive. Seems like they have nothing to offer but sports news at the moment . . .

Well, it is that time of year again and I have good news and bad news. The good news: you were very very nice to us last December; the bad news: there is not much on hand in the closet for a "Christmas in July" sale. I might find a few boxes of holiday cards and a couple of ornaments to put on the flea market table, but that is all . . . Bob and I will be celebrating our 27th anniversary on the 25th . . . I am about to finish the first round of pills for the pain in my leg/buttock and I don't think they have been very successful . . . Gay pride parade on Front Street Saturday at 11 a.m. . . . Am staying out of the Paterno controversy, but how can one claim that ten years of football games never happened? . . . One of the seven weekend muggings in Harrisburg happened virtually on our Uptown doorstep. "Police are beefing up patrols." Believe it! . . . Pictured are some of the pots we are offering at 20% off . . .

Bob safely home from his chilly weekend mountain retreat just in time for a warm up here. He enjoyed the camaraderie despite some apprehension--it was the first time I was alone for a few days since my operation sixteen months ago. But not to worry--the neighbors in the 700 and 1600 blocks of Green took good care of me (and I got a lot of tasty goodies) . . . David Hoffman reminds me that in the early days of service station credit cards one could get a discount by paying cash or using the station's own card . . .

Dreary day despite some late afternoon sun . . . Folks in the 1500 block of Penn are partying in the street tonight . . . What the heck is going on in the money world these days? A new law allows us retailers to charge you a fee for using your credit/debit card instead of cash though few plan to do so immediately. Now comes word that the Pennsylvania turnpike will charge you an additional fee if you pay with cash. Have I inadvertently followed a White Rabbit down a hole? Is that a grinning cat out on a limb? Ah, yeah, now it comes to me--there are a bunch of mad wierdos assembled for a Tea Party . . .

After all the hot days lately today's overcast, rainy and almost chilly weather was most welcome. Bob might have been happy about this, but unfortunately this is his weekend in the mountains where it is always a good ten degrees cooler; he felt somewhat foolish digging out a fall jacket when packing . . .

A quiet day in every department . . .

Pleasantly surprised by a bit of biz despite the heat. Especially pleased by some showers that brought us relief. Tomorrow might not even reach the eighty degree mark . . . Spent my day ordering some new items which I will be describing in the coming days . . .

Hot again. Bob allowed me to take the afternoon off but he wouldn't join me; he was determined to make a couple of sales. Unfortunately he didn't see a soul. Tomorrow could be a repeat of today weather wise. But please, folks, let's pick up a card or two at least . . . Spent some time trying to find my way through PennLive's new Internet format. I am sure I will get it eventually but right now it seems a bit cluttered when compared with the previous layout . . . Remember part of Front Street, Woodbine to Forster, will be closed tomorrow night for the Harrisburg Mile . . . I have spent the last couple of months complaining about the removal of trees in our neighborhood and now I have to announce that we are hoping to remove and replace the greenery in front of the store; The Bare Wall is practically hidden by the evergreens as it stands and we aren't very visible to cars travelling south on Green . . . Ordered some new glass jewelry from Fred Imhoff in Oregon this afternoon. He is a bit backed up with orders just now so don't rush in. You will now be able to buy the necklaces independent of the earrings . . . I am irritated by: Penn State news, Paterno's statue, political ads, my own health complaints, and almost everything else these days . . .

Another heat wave is on the way so we may be closing early for the next couple of days . . . Muggings continued in the midtown over the weekend. Where are the mayor and the police chief? Having tea? . . . Saw The Kid this afternoon for the first time in almost a month. We played on the computer, worked puzzles and had a good time chawing about his summer activities. Then he went shopping for a little present for Grandma and wrapped it up himself . . . Thanks to our neighbors we had barbecue for supper . . . Heard from Bill Forgy that the flower featured a few days ago was known as a rain lily in his family because it always popped out after a storm (just as this one did) . . .

Members of the Harrisburg Camera Club were snapping away at Wildwood Park this morning . . . I vegetated most of the day but I did finish my book . . . The humidity became stifling after a late afternoon shower . . . The turnout for the annual State College arts festival was disappointing this year, I am told . . .

Overcast and humid after an early morning rain . . . Nice chat with Charles Fetterhoff . . . Ruth and Wayne Reed down from Dalmatia for the annual Shipoke flea market and fire apparatus extravaganza . . . today's TripAdvisor couple was from Brooklyn . . . Seem to have stalled out on my Marsh novels. The twelfth, Colour Scheme, set in New Zealand's thermal springs region, just isn't all that compelling in my opinion. But only 80 pages to go . . .

Jane and Jason Hess are celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary today . . . Did Bob get a surprise we wonder? That one-day lily pictured yesterday was still blooming today , , , Enjoyed Gentlemen Prefer Blondes on TCM last night . . . Christine's wire rings arrived this afternoon and there is a wide range of colors in this collection. That is Chris on the left . . .

Happy to report that the OPEN part of our sign that was blown off during last night's storm lodged itself in the bush directly below; our neighbor spotted it and it is now back in service . . . A new doctor and a new round of pills for my painful buttock and leg. Perhaps not overly serious, but the x-rays did show the beginnings of arthritis in the hip. It is not believed that that is contributing to my current discomfort, however. She (the physician) was very optimistic for this go-round . . . My respect for my neighbor, retired pediatrician Dr. Bob Coldren, just grows and grows. I have been "doctorin'" for nearly two years now and  his name has come into various conversations every now and then. At least three of my doctors and a couple of my nurses recognize his name because they have placed their own children in his care . . . Jaime MacLeod sent me this picture from Bob Deibler's garden. It is a surprise lily and the bloom lasts for just one day . . .

Relief from the heat wave arrived unexpectedly and violently at rush hour this afternoon. Rain flushed the gutters and a strong wind did its damage--the dead tree on the property next door lost yet another limb and our "OPEN" part of our sign was blown away; hopefully someone will see it, recognize it, and return it . . . as far as we can tell at this writing the fallen limb didn't do any damage. However, I have learned that a couple of healthy trees on the street are to be removed. What a loss, especially since three others along Green have been removed in the past year or two . . . Our neighbor lost his recycling bin during trash pick up this week. We doubt that it was stolen. It was so dilapidated that the hauler probably took one look at it and decided it too was ready for recycling . . . I have a doctor's appointment late tomorrow morning so we probably won't open much before noon. Let's hope I get some relief from the sciatic problem . . . We are always pleased (and perhaps a little vain) to tell you about our TripAdvisor visitors. But I don't believe we have ever mentioned that there is something of a downside to this notoriety. We are not only discovered by tourists but also by itinerant salesmen looking to unload their goods. They figure that if this is such a popular place we surely will welcome whatever it is that they are offering. I hereby give them notice that we have never made any purchases from any of these "just passing through" hucksters . . .

Managed to establish contact with Christine Keller in Buckhannon, West Virginia. She was displaced by the storms that ravaged that state several days ago and was without power, phone or Internet for a week. Happy to report that she will be sending us a whole new collection of her popular and colorful wire rings by the weekend. They will continue to retail for $13 . . . Had a really pleasant chat with Dan Harvey at Grandville Hollow Pottery in Julian, Pa., a few miles north of State College. He makes our "HARRISBURG" pots and we should have some new items for that collection in a month or so. As I reported a few weeks ago, we are discontinuing the pottery that has not been personalized and those pieces remaining can be had for 20% off. A lot of this personalized stuff is purchased by our TripAdvisor visitors looking for a souvenir of the city . . . Peter O'Toole announced today that he has retired from stage and screen. The heat wave calls to mind his first big breakthrough in Lawrence of Arabia . . . Cecilia is biking her way through summer . . .

Muggings continued in the Midtown district over the weekend. Where is this police protection that has been promised? . . . Slightly lower temperatures but I refuse to use the word cooler . . .

The lightning strike that brought down some large sandstone blocks on the facade of the Harris Street Church last night also damaged the electrical  system inside. The a/c is not working but fans are . . . People are trekking home from vacations at the shore and dreading another day of heat . . .

Our thanks to Janet Reed for the batch of homemade cookies . . . Bob opened for a few hours today but saw very few people . . . Have heard good reports about The Speakeasy which replaced Garrason's Tavern . . . Growing weary of escaping the heat by staying inside; even watched some undersea creature destroy the Golden Gate Bridge on TCM this afternoon. Now that is what I call "desperate" . . . BULLETIN: Harris Street Church damaged by a lightning strike about eight o'clock this evening . . .

I have been having trouble with the heat so Bob gave me the day off; read and rested mostly. I want to be closed all day Saturday but Bob insists he is going to open for an hour or so at least. Please call 236-8504 before you venture out . . .

The heat almost felled me this morning (it was already in the nineties when we opened) so Bob sent me home. He wsa surprisingly busy with numerous visitors; the one from Baltimore found us on TripAdvisor . . . I am sure we will be closing early on Friday, and if predictions continue to be over 100 we probably will not even open on Saturday; call first . . . Hope to feature some of our craftsmen in the column to the left in the coming weeks . . .

HAPPY FOURTH !

Spent a frustrating hour looking for the source of a strange sound somewhere in the house. Turned out to be a smoke detector whose malfunctioning function was not functioning as it should. The resultant noise was peculiar . . . The Patriot-News today printed Lee Spitalny's letter in which she lamented the change of format at WITF . . . My lunchtime BLT did not sit well on my stomach so I begged Bob for an early close. He refused but brought me home so I could nurse myself and take a nap. We had cauliflower soup for supper . . . The MacLeods are safely home after several days at the shore . . .  We will be closed for the Fourth. Please play safely . . .

Bob and I suffered a small tragedy this morning when the vacuum cleaner snagged our beloved Ferris wheel music box and it ended up in twenty pieces or so on the floor. It was over twenty years old and was quite pricey in its day. The kids will also be disappointed. They had developed their own fantasy lives for the various figures in the tableau . . . When he was younger, JJ would have let the thing run all evening if we had allowed it. Once Bob dug into the mechanism and flipped the switch to "off." He told JJ that the music didn't play because it was broken. Not to be outdone, JJ also got into the mechanism, found the switch and then proudly announced to Uncle Bob that he had fixed it . . .

Still brutally hot but I have found a bit of relief: my latest murder mystery novel concerns a group of people snowbound in a country manor house . . . Bob and I spent a lovely afternoon in the home of Wes and Yvonne Brown . . . Bob treated me to my favorite: an Arby's original roast beef sandwich . . . Lee Spitalny aroused a bit of envy when she sent this e-mail outlining an evening excursion: Harrisburg Symphony had a marvelous program for some of its contributors yesterday. We boarded an Amtrak train at the Hbg. train station, trained to Elizabethtown, where we were given a lovely box supper, then bussed to the Masonic Home, where Stuart Malina and the entire symphony entertained us with a mixture of classical and "Fourth of July" American music. Residents of the Masonic Village were a good part of the audience of 1700 people  We were then bussed back to the train station, given Hershey Bars, and arrived back in Hbg. a little after 10pm. A truly old fashioned kind of evening..........and it was wonderful!!