Early June. Welcoming the unofficial start of Summer. Here in the North/mid/east all the seasons don’t slowly blend into one like most of our southern friends .Our season are abrupt, extreme and sometimes frightening. Winter here was brutal and the snow piled higher than cars at times. It has yet to release us from her grip as here I am on June 7 seeking desperately a hoody to help me make it thru the morning.
It was an email from cousin Jim Gill “Paul McCartney and Wings (on the radio now) remind me of our visits to Jersey.” that triggered this post. Also a call from a very old friend Jim McSherry was filled with resurrected Summers.
This topic has been covered ad infinitum yet I feel a desire to write about it. I’ve waited 55 years to finally say, “You kids don’t know how good you got it.” or “Get off my lawn you no good sons of bitches!” Social media is swarmed with the “when I was young…” cliche. Social media will always be telling us about life before the internet. I remember the set of outdated encyclopedias in our rec room actually WERE my internet. And if it wasn’t in there, then I really did walk 20 miles in the snow (actually it was more like one mile and it was only in the snow once) to the little library on Carteret avenue. I filled many reports with cut out photos and charts from those encyclopedias……and I hate to admit I also used books from the library for my primative “cut and paste” knowledge.
Todays internet brats don’t know how good they got it. But the internet is just the first in-line glaring example of how things have changed. Summer has changed dramatically as I look around now at the empty streets and playgrounds. Most kids have resorted to cyber entertainment. When we played in the Summer, we had to use our imagination. First of all our Summers were at least three weeks longer! For whatever reason the school year has definitely lengthened for todays school kids.
It started on the carpet when Jim McSherry and I would play “little army” with plastic soldiers frozen in boring poses. We don’t know where he got them but Johnny Lambert had the coolest, meanest looking Japanese toy soldiers in unique poses of death and destruction. How we yearned for those politically incorrect yellow soldiers. They were never to be found in any toy store.
There was always our pool and Kenny Gitters pool which sometimes became strange when we decided to take off our suits and swim naked. Mrs. Gitter put an end to that real quick Most hot Summer days she could be found at the end of our kitchen table playing Scrabble with our mom. They had also discovered a fabulous new drink by reading “Hints from Heloise” in the Star Ledger. It was called Iced Coffee. It was this same Heloise daily article where mom found out that we could actually eat the skin on our baked potatoes and didn’t have to throw them away with the tinfoil that they were wrapped in.
Actually football is always compared to a chess match. Maybe because the knight wears a helmet?
As the Summers progressed we invented new things to do and keep us occupied. One time we spent an entire Summer in our backyard creating mazes with lego pieces and watching bugs walk around in circle. It would piss us off when some bugs would just say “fuck this” and climb the Lego wall to exit our “maze of doom.”
Unfortunately for these clever bugs escape usually meant being captured again and being subject to some cruel torturous death. Being burned to death with a laser from the sun via a magnifying glass was a popular choice.
In our neighborhood the 5th of July was much more popular than the actual holiday on the fourth. For it was the day after the nightly fireworks that we would walk the sidewalks and gutters looking for “duds” Unexploded fireworks. Anything. Fire crackers, bottle rockets, the remains of a roman candle. We bought hundreds of these used explosives home and carefully unraveled them into a box. It was long tedious hours with little payoff. I ate a few crabs last Summer and it kind of reminded me of that. A lot of work with little meat and never feeling close to having my appetite satisfied.
What we did with our gunpowder harvest hardly satisfied my appetite for destruction either. I was pretty keen on destroying plastic tank models that I spent weeks building but that was usually done with gasoline. Sometimes we got lucky and were able to purchase real fireworks from the local firework dealer on Tennyson street. We would knock on this teenage kids door and barter with him. A nickel, a dime, ANYTHING for one single firecracker or bottle rocket.
We played outside. Sidestreet baseball, touch football, man hunt. We built forts in trees and under bridges. We explored the endless miles of railroad tracks that led up the dirt hill from Daniele. We hung out on the trestle
Then there were the Summers of the Gills. I had already written about this in a previous posts but these were great times. Just a few years after the passing of our father, it was good to have a man in the house again. This was Summer at it’s very best. Carefree and happy. Lot’s of pool, barbecue and popcorn. Wherever we went, we all went together. Filled the station wagon and sang songs from the FM together. It never got any better than this.
We did surrender to TV though, although it was a different monster than it is now. A huge wooden box attached to an antenna on the roof. Seven channels and sometimes eight, if we could get channel 3 to come in. Monty Python was a Summer staple on Sunday nights along with all the other mindless sitcoms of the day. Greg got us into “Dark Shadows” Saturday Night Wrestling and eventually Mary Hartman Mary Hartman.
The Day I Beat Walter Lambert In Chess
In the Summer of 72 we sat in front of channel 13 and “watched” the championship of chess between Russia and USA. This was huge when we were young. There still was a cold war going on and anything Russia vs USA was must see. At this time Bobby Fischer was still in the progress of losing his mind and didn’t allow cameras in the room where they were playing. So, for the entire Summer we sat in front of the TV and watched some guy move paper chess pieces on an upright paper board. There were sometimes HOURS between moves. It was like watching grass grow yet this is how we spent an entire Summer. This championship match had ignited a national interest in the game that we caught.
In 1973, this was worth more than three bars of solid gold.
I had gotten rather good at the game and even got a book from the library. Next to Fran Tarkenton, the then quarterback of the New York Football Giants, Bobby Fischer was an absolute hero to me. I studied and envied his life and his mysterious quiet way was even more intreging.
So one day, it happened. In the Lamberts always open garage door, I challenged Walter Lambert to a game of chess. Nobody had ever beaten him or even come close. And he would smirk and let out a whinny laugh everytime he beat one of us and called us knuckleheads for even trying.
But as the game went on, it became interesting and a small crowd began to gather around. I knew I had him on the ropes and he was just waiting for one stupid move, like we always seemed to make, to beat us. Not only did I keep my head in the game but I actually check mated the older, the wiser, the much cooler Walter Lambert. There was a shock of silence first but then the place erupted. George beat Walter Lambert. Yes. George Hartman had beat Walter Lambert in a game of chess. In the Summer of 1972 in a small rural town off the New Jersey Turnpike where planes flew overhead to land in Newark… I had become a folk hero for a few days. I had indeed beaten Walter Lambert at chess.
For me,
I want every anticipated Summer to be good. I yearn for the sun in my face. I watch our tomatoes and flowers grow. I BBQ ribs and steak on weekends. I’ve seen a Summer moon rise from the deck. I love each abrupt season better than the next. I couldn’t stand ‘summer all the time” or rainy seasons but Summer is a great time to feel alive. There is no greater swim than body surfing on an Atlantic ocean wave. Much like George Costanza, today, I proclaim this THE SUMMER OF GEORGE!
the abrupt seasons
Very funny pictures digoxin in medicine The investigation will be led by a detective inspector and will involve investigators from the fire and rescue service and our scenes of crime officers
A book of First Class stamps tretinoin gel retin-a micro for wrinkles “It is also the only power capable of organising a coalitions reaction to this regional and international threat,” said Gen Allen
Another year unisom kopen in nederland Farrell has carved out an eclectic career with films such as 2002 thriller “Phone Booth,” 2008 dark comedy “In Bruges” and 2012’s ensemble “Seven Psychopaths.” Vaughn is best known for his comedy work in movies such as 2005’s “Wedding Crashers” and 2013’s “The Internship.”
No, I’m not particularly sporty generic sildalis But the virus has made a comeback in recent years, in part because of people obtaining personal belief exemptions from rules that say children must get their shots to enroll in school.
Where’s the nearest cash machine? buy claritin online However, it was Cavs guard Iman Shumpert who came up with the biggest play, running down a long rebound before J.R
Where are you calling from? provigil medicine addiction He posted winless seasons in 2008 and 2010 and, even in the years he qualified for the Chase in Sprint Cup championship, was never a true threat to bring home the title
A First Class stamp tricor braun The report from “Homes for Every New Yorkers” — a coalition of activist groups — also recommends that Mayor de Blasio put aside 10% of all units in his affordable housing plan for shelter residents, invest in more programs to prevent tenants from becoming homeless and give more NYCHA housing to the homeless.
A jiffy bag tetracycline bruising He repeated the European Commission’s aim to reform thesystem of the “troika”, by which the Commission, the EuropeanCentral Bank and the International Monetary Fund have supervisedthe international bailout of Greece and other countries.
How long have you lived here? finpecia 1mg tablets cipla Where appropriate, we will make acquisitions to develop both the breadth of our services and enhance our scale.”
I’ve got a part-time job erexin spray reviews 26 in Minsk to discussthe situation in eastern Ukraine, where fighting is ragingbetween pro-Russian rebels and government forces
Nice to meet you diflucan resepti Production of the Tiguan will begin in late 2016 with thevehicles hitting the market the following year, Hinrichs said.Volkswagen will produce around a million of the vehicles at theplant over eight years, Hinrichs said, with some destined forthe Mexican market.
My battery’s about to run out cafergot goodrx Speaking ahead of the show James Currell, chief operating officer for Viacom International Media, who produce the show, said he hoped this year's awards could reach even more viewers than in the previous year.
Where are you from? mebendazole tablets spc And even when parents find academies, they can start at as little as $10 (6.65) to participate but some cost up to $100 an hour for private coaching.
A company car will lithium batteries power electric cars One other thing: the Jets really got screwed on that whistle following Jay Cutler’s fumble last week
What sort of music do you like? prazosin hcl dosage Seven more states have now been categorized as having “widespread” levels of the disease, bringing the total to 43, up from 36 last week
I’m only getting an answering machine glipizide xl and metformin When Zimbabwean circus performer Winston Ruddel started a quest for circus talent for his world-renowned Mama Africa show, his first stop was the Tanzanian city, Dar es Salam
I’m a member of a gym dutasteride avodart buy (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York, additionalreporting by Bill Rigby in Seattle)
Some First Class stamps glimepiride generic name He wasn’t sure if the Rockies were going to make him a qualifying offer and, either way, he figured there was a good chance he’d be moving on
What line of work are you in? mebendazole tablets online The law likely would not allow the venture capital firm toseek attorneys fees from Pao, who has the right to appeal theverdict
Jonny was here pioglitazone garr “If I traded for a third baseman that was an everyday guy, that would be the move I would be making.”
I came here to study nebulizer atrovent ventolin normal saline Dutch air crash investigators have said it was likely struck by multiple “high-energy objects,” which some aviation experts say is consistent with a missile strike.
good material thanks fucidin salve recept Losing the coal blockscould also mean higher and costlier imports of the raw materialused by sectors including steel and power.
Which year are you in? ashwagandha proszek cena The WHO revised the cumulative death toll downwards for a second week running, with 440 fewer deaths reported in Sierra Leone than in data published last Friday, but 284 deaths added to Liberia’s tally and 23 to Guinea’s since then.
Children with disabilities uses of femara Such skirmishes with taxi operators and local authorities have shadowed it in many cities where it operates, starting in its home base of San Francisco
Will I have to work on Saturdays? cabergolina y el embarazo But now what? Alderson’s goal is not reaching .500 to shut up loud-mouthed critics, but achieving the critical mass to be a postseason force for years to come.
Have you got any ? prilosec kaufen A case in point in this week’s release of Best Fiends, a launch that I understand from friends in the industry has been widely anticipated and will mark a watershed for mobile games
I can’t get a dialling tone keflex toxicity However, “it is hard to glean much information about whatthe (FDA) report means as far as the key issue of antibioticresistance is concerned,” said Betsy Booren, the group’s vicepresident of scientific affairs.
Get a job tretinoina comprare customs agents say the items were taken from religious temples and ancient Buddhist sites, and then allegedly smuggled to the United States by an art dealer
I was made redundant two months ago eyelash growth dermatologist bimatoprost They said that the study suggests that women should improve their lifestyle and try to maintain a healthy weight before they become pregnant, as well as during pregnancy, as this may help reduce the risk of obesity in their children.
I can’t get through at the moment bupropion 2000 2009 jelsoft enterprises ltd But Lord Blencathra, whose joint committee scrutinised – and was heavily critical of – the original legislation, told a House of Lords debate on Monday that the government had subsequently redrafted the bill.
A jiffy bag comprar tadapox contrareembolso Jana Weckerly, 27, claims Jones kissed her, groped her genitals, made her rub his penis and forced her to watch as the businessman received oral sex from a different woman in the original bombshell legal document she filed earlier this month, seeking more than $1 million in damages.
This is the job description digoxin maintenance dose formula Britain’s main political parties – the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats who rule in a coalition, and the opposition Labour Party – vehemently oppose independence and are holding out the prospect of greater autonomy for Scotland as a way to dent the “Yes” vote.
Looking for work dove comprare il ginseng coreano I’m pretty sure she was scared so the last thing I wanted to do was have her panic
I love the theatre speman pills The range of hospital activities and initiatives on the theme of ‘clean hands – save lives’ has shown that education and engagement on infection control can be both informative and fun,” Dr Fahey added.
I’d like to tell you about a change of address naproxen 500mg tab camb “I believe you cannot react violently, but if Mr Gasparri, my great friend, says a curse word against my mother, he can expect a punch – this is normal,” the Pope said with a smile, making a punching gesture.
Is there ? deltasone 20 mg Health information must be provided to anyone using, hiring or buying a sunbed and health warning signs must be clearly displayed.
About a year propranolol hcl 80mg glycerol Buddhist nationalism has been on the rise in Myanmar in recent years, with extremist monks such as Wirathu growing in popularity and increasing clashes with Muslim minorities, particularly in Rakhine state.
Directory enquiries prednisone dose pak directions in spanish But they’ve got to stop treating the general manager of a sports team like he’s some kind of criminal, because they don’t just make themselves look bad, they start to make Jets fans who don’t do this kind of incessant whining look bad.
I’d like some euros zestoretic 20 mg uses ** Austrian real estate company CA Immobilien saidit did not expect a change in strategy with the arrival of newshareholder O1 and that the investor had said it did not intendto raise its stake beyond the planned 26 percent.
I stay at home and look after the children depakote with trileptal While the Fox Searchlight film offers a biting commentary on the current entertainment industry – from the superhero franchises dominating the box office to audiences’ obsession with social media – Inarritu said the real message came down to the value of art versus celebrity.
good material thanks terramycine bestellen Pineda’s explanation for his brief struggle was that he was too strong at the beginning of the game, so he was leaving the ball up
I can’t get a signal dutasteride approved for hair loss By the lake was another cabin, wooden with a shingled roof in the traditional style
Do you know each other? reviews of nizoral shampoo The most depressing fact, though, might be that there is actually no such animal as a panther — the word is used to describe animals that are, in truth, jaguars or leopards.
It’s funny goodluck etodolac tylenol His interview also sends a very strong signal that LGBT people can aspire to and achieve the highest political office in Ireland,” Mr Rose added.
How much is a Second Class stamp? phenergan with codeine liquid dosage Chin was placed in custody Wednesday after his arrest Wednesday, along with Cadden and others.
A packet of envelopes rogaine minoxidil price in india Earlier this week Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said: “It is the Palestinian Authority – which is in a unity government with Hamas, an avowed terrorist organisation that, like ISIS [Islamic State], perpetrates war crimes – that needs to be concerned about the [ICC].”
Could I make an appointment to see ? haus kaufen gran canaria privat The rules for the anthem are to “standardize proper etiquette for the national anthem, which reflects national independence and liberation, a prosperous, strong country and the affluence of the people,” Xinhua said.
I’d like to cancel this standing order imitrex shot “People are buying PCs mainly because the one they had isthree, five years old and it’s getting to be less and lessproductive to use and therefore they refresh it and not becauseof other stimulants,” Chou said in an interview.
What’s the exchange rate for euros? midamor yahoo answers It offers a single rate for euro one, two, three and five-year fixed rates of 1.5pc
Enter your PIN retin a cream india Angels: LHP Joe Thatcher (left ankle sprain) remains behind schedule and has yet to throw a bullpen session