A Day Spent at the Fisherman's Wharf

                                                             

I love visiting my sister Jane, who lives in Napa California. The weather is always perfect: no humidity and at night we sleep with the windows open and covered in blankets. It gets pretty chilly at night.

Jane usually does the wine tour with us and we usually stop at a winery for lunch and to do some testing. I don't use the little spittoons that the wine connoisseurs use. That grosses me out. I drink every drop down. Love the wine tasting, but after the fifth sample, I usually don't remember what the hell I was drinking.

                                                               

Jane always takes us on the ferry to San Francisco for a day trip. I love the city and would live there if it wasn't so expensive. This year, my daughter and two of my grandsons came out with me. It was a celebration for Joshua's graduation and before he joins the Navy. He had three requests: see Muir Woods, see the Golden Gate Bridge; eat Bubba Shrimp. We did all three and more.

                                                                   

While we were on Pier 39, there was a magic/juggling show about to begin. The boys had their carry out shrimp from Bubba and we decided to sit and watch the show while they ate. I didn't expect the act to be that much fun, but it was. It was a lot of fun because of Daniel Davinci.  This is one talented and funny man. You can check out his site here.

                                                               

Not only is Daniel Davinci an excellent juggler, he is a great stand-up comic that had the audience laughing their heads off. My grandsons loved him. I was even chosen as part of his act, which was a lot of fun. So if you're ever in San Francisco, make sure you catch this act.

A Diploma to the Wine Country

                                                               

 

This June, I had two more of my nine grandchildren graduate from high school: Katrina Janco who is going to the University of Pennsylvania; Joshua Reid who is going into the Navy. This leaves me with two more grandkids to go; Kadin Gilbert and Nathan Reid. I’m getting old.

                                                             

I usually try to visit my sister Jane Lemmons, who lives in the beautiful Napa Valley every year, and since Joshua was graduating high school; I combined the events into one trip. This was the first time that Joshua or Nathan had ever been to California. Their older brother Jimmy had gone several years ago on vacation with me and Grandpop. My daughter ReRe, Josh, Nathan and I stayed at my sister’s house and I have to say that we had an absolute ball.

Jane Lemmons Bed and Breakfast

Staying at my sister Jane’s house is like staying at the Four Seasons five star hotel. I’m not kidding. She has everything ready for her guests. My daughter and I were given our own caddy of beauty supplies to carry into the bathroom each morning for our daily showers. Our clothes were washed each day. The coffee made fresh each morning. Jane even rented a 12 seat van to transport her son, his wife, and her grandson along with my family all over the Napa and Winery area.

                                  Me, daughter ReRe, and sister Jane                              

I wanted Joshua, the middle child in his family, to have a special graduation gift, especially because he will be enlisting into the Navy. Our agenda for the four days there was designed for him. Here are a few photos of our activities.
                                                       

Joshua and Nathan wanted to do some wall climbing at Rockzilla. My nephew Chris and his son, Joshua joined us.
                                                         

 

Here we are at the beautiful Muir Woods

 

 

My nephew, Chris and his wife, Solannge with son

 

 

 

On the ferry to San Francisco

 

 

Josh and Nathan

 

 

Eating Crabs at the Pompeii Grotto on Fisherman's Wharf

 

 

And we can't forget the wines of Napa Valley.

 

 

All in all, it was one of the best vacations I've had and maybe it was because of my grandkids being there and sharing in the adventure. Nathan has reminded me that he will be graduating in a few years and he’s looking to return to Aunt Jane’s Bed and Breakfast.

Steampunk Granny Talks Serial Mom VS. Tomatoes

                                                           

Two of my nine grandchildren graduated this June, Katrina Janco and Joshua Reid, but when I was at my grandson’s graduation ceremony, the storm of the summer hit Washington Township along with many other areas. I posted my experience here. My daughter and her family, along with many other families, went without power for several days.

It was late at night when I got the call from my youngest grandson, Nathan.  “Grandmom, can Josh and I sleep over your house tonight? It’s too hot to sleep.”

I love having the kids over and quickly replied, “Come on down.”

 

Once they arrived, I got them settled down with a snack because no one is allowed to go to bed hungry at my house. They were busy telling me about the damage surrounding their neighborhood and they were too keyed up to fall asleep. I went through the television guide and found a film for us to watch until they were able to fall asleep. It was an older film and one they’d never seen.

Serial Mom

This is a 1994 American “dark comedy” that was written and directed by the awesomely talented John Waters. It stars Kathleen Turner, Sam Waterston, Ricki Lake and Matthew Lillard, Patty Hearst, Suzanne Somers, Joan Rivers, Traci Lords.

Plot

Kathleen Turner plays the part of Beverly Sutphin, a typical suburban soccer mom. But, there is nothing typical about her. She is a serial killer who murders people over the most trivial mistakes. She secretly harasses her neighbors, going as far as making crank calls.
                                                                           

One by one, people in the suburb of Baltimore start turning up deader than a doorknob, starting with her son’s math teacher because criticizes her son, Chip. The police finally get involved, but Beverly is an expert at appearing angelic.

                                                                          

You can catch this film on demand. Serial Mom was just as funny as the first time I saw it, and my grandsons also enjoyed the film. Somehow, we got on the topic of old movies and I mentioned that I had a DVD of Attack of the Killer Tomatoes. They wanted to watch it that night, but I talked them into waiting until morning.

Attack of the Killer Tomatoes

                                                                     

This is a 1978 comedy/horror film directed, produced, edited, scored and co-written by John DeBello. The film starred David Miller, George Wilson, Sharon Taylor, and Costa Dillon.  Attack of the Killer Tomatoes is a spoof of B movies.

Plot

The opening scroll claims that when Alfred Hitchcock’s 1963 The Birds was released, audiences laughed at the notion of birds revolting against humanity, but when an attack by birds happened in 1975, no one laughed. The film shows a series of attacks committed by tomatoes against humans. The sound effects of the tomatoes are hilarious, as is the scene of tomatoes attacking swimmers via a Jaws parody.

 

It’s a stupid movie, but I love it. From the disguise expert that infiltrates the tomatoes’ hideout to the secret weapon (a song) that can kill the tomatoes.



The next afternoon, the power came back on at my daughter's house and the boys went home, but they plan to spend another overnight with me because I have lots of fun DVD's to watch.

 

Little Turk

                                                            

Little Turk was purposely  run over and injured, but he is doing better.



                                                                   

A Tornado of a Graduating Ceremony

                                                         

                                                

 

On Tuesday night, I accompanied my daughter, son-in-law, and my grandson to his high school graduation ceremony at the Washington Township High School. There were close to 600 graduates, so this will give you an idea of the size of the school. It’s freaking large. There were so many families there to celebrate the graduation that the attendees were split up into two auditoriums: the main one and one that was at the other end of the building.

Did I mention how big the Washington Township High School is?

You need GPS just to get from one end of the building to the other which is a quite an adventure for directionally challenged people like me. Thankfully, the staff and students were very helpful. Note of interest, on the long walk to the other auditorium, I noticed vending machines and bathrooms. I made a mental note of their location because I’m always in ‘Zombie Squad’ mode in case of emergencies and at my age; bathrooms are top of the list.

                                                            

I brought my umbrella, silly me, thinking that the rain would just be a summer downpour.  Although my daughter and her husband were already seated in the main auditorium, I stood in line waiting to enter the smaller auditorium. Suddenly, the lights started blinking on and off, followed by flashes of lightning and booming thunder.

The rain and wind hit the school full force damaging one of their large canopies. Water was beginning to seep in through the metal doors close to where we were waiting to enter the auditorium. The wind continued to howl outside, plus none of our cells phones were working. I had no way to contact my daughter because texting only occasional worked. The maintenance crew did a great job keeping people calm and taking care of the water that had seeped in. Once we were allowed to enter the smaller auditorium, things calmed down and we were able to enjoy a beautiful ceremony. 

I was surprised to learn that the high school was celebrating their big 50. A speech was given by one of the members of the graduating class of 1966. I think that was so cool to compare what the school was like when it opened its doors.

Before the ceremony was over, I decided to walk towards the larger auditorium, so I could locate my family before the mad dash of mass photo opportunities that I was sure would begin as soon as the graduates exited the main auditorium.

                                                       

Did I mention how big the Washington Township High School is?

I was lost in an endless set of hallways that stretched onto forever. I’ve had nightmares like this; you walk and walk but never see the end of the tunnel. I turned a corner and bumped into another lost soul who was trying to find his way to the main hall. “Let’s stick together,” I said.

                                                             

On our journey to the main hall, we began to see other lost souls, “Follow us,” we called out. At one point, our group had grown to at least ten strong. We began to resemble the cast of “The Walking Dead” All we needed was Michonne and her katana. I told my fellow travelers that if we couldn’t find our way out of the building, I knew where the vending machines were. Disaster preparation training comes in handy at all times.

                                                                

Finally, we heard voices; happy voices. We survived! After saying goodbye to my fellow travelers I found my family and we took pictures together. When it was time to drive home, we saw the damage that the storm had done. It was bad. Trees were down, power lines were down, no lights, no traffic lights. It was very scary making my way back home to Audubon. The trees in one section went down in a straight line. I was pretty sure we had been hit by a tornado, but the news stations says it wasn’t.                      

                                                         

 

But a friend of mine took this picture from his home in East Greenwich/Mantua area. I'm thinking we had several small tornadoes across South Jersey, but I didn't see any other photos like the one from Mantua...still...the damage was similar.

                                                           

                                                                                                            

I told my grandson, Josh, that this was one graduation that I would never forget. I actually had fun in spite of the storm. When my youngest grandson is ready to graduate from the wonderful Washington Township High School, six years from now, I’m going to ask permission to use a Segway to get around the building.

                                                        

                                                             
                                Did I mention how big that school is?

Steampunk Granny’s Review of Spy

                                                       

I’m not a big fan of Melissa McCarthy. I’ve never watched Gilmore Girls or Mike & Molly, but I did see her in The Heat with Sandra Bullock and in Identity Thief with Jason Bateman. I wasn’t that impressed. Tonight, my opinion of Melissa McCarthy changed, and for the better.

                                                           

My daughter and I went to see her new film, Spy, starring Jude Law, Jessica Chaffin, Rose Byrne and Jason Statham. The film, directed by Paul Feig, played out just like a real James Bond film with plenty of intrigue, assassinations and explosions to make everyone happy.

                                                           

Maybe, it was the director, or maybe, Melissa had found her niche in films, but whatever it was; I truly enjoyed her performance in this film. She wasn’t so over the top with her cursing or rudeness that can sometimes be overwhelming. She was just perfect with her one-line zingers and, the interaction between her and Jason Statham was one of the highlights of the film.

                                                            

      

My daughter and I laughed so hard, we want to go back and see Spy a second time. This movie is definitely perfect for a girls’ night out. I’m sending out the call to all my female friends and relatives to join me for a night at the movies spent with the talented Melissa McCarthy. It’s a blast!!!

Great Times at the Supernatural Signatures in Burlington

                                                           

                    Director Sharon Vincz and Steampunk Granny

This past Saturday, June 6^th, good old Steampunk Granny, was invited along with several authors to take part in the Supernatural Signings Event held at The Library Company of Burlington. Located on 23 West Union Street in Burlington, NJ, this historic and beautiful library was chartered in 1757 by the British monarch King George the Second and to this day still continues to operate under this charter. http://www.librarycompanyofburlington.org/

                                                       

The Supernatural Signings Event was overseen by the Library Company’s Director Sharon Vincz, who made sure that all the authors were easily accessible to the many visitors joining us that day. It was a great experience for both authors and readers.

                                                                

Most of "Marti's Angels" were there to give Granny and the other authors lots of love and support. Later that afternoon the event was moved over to The Ghost Hunters Store located at 112 W Broad Street, Burlington, NJ. where refreshments were served and visitors had a chance to learn about ghosts and the owner, Dave Juliano

                                                                         

 

Dave is the owner of the store and has been a researcher in this field for over 28 years and he created the very first paranormal website on the internet back in 1994, The Shadowlands. He is also the Director of South Jersey Ghost Research/Sanctuary Paranormal which has been helping people with problem hauntings since 1955. He is the author of “Positive Energy for Haunted Homes”, “Ghost Research 101: Investigating Haunted Homes” and “Armor of God”. Feel free to visit the Dave’s bio page, The Shadowlands, Ghost Hunting 101

                               Angel Jodie & Medium Marti Haines                                              

Marti Haines is a Psychic Medium, Reiki Master and the Assistant Director of South Jersey Ghost Research/Sanctuary Paranormal. She is also the Store Manager of the NJ store in Burlington NJ. http://theghosthunterstore.com/

                                                      Authors:

                                                Laurie McCabe

                                                            

                                                   Jan Bastien
                                                            
                                                               

                                      Karen Kimmel Timper & Bob Christopher

                                                                  

                                                  Herman Stevenson

                                                  Some of Marti's Angels:

                                      Marcia                and         Jodie                      

 

Sharon, Jean, Jodie, Marcia, Rita, Marie

 

Beth and Jodie

 

Jodie and Diane

 

Dick and Jodie

 

Janet and Jodie