It's That Time Of Year Again...This Time, It's Not The Same

 Last weekend, we were hit with our first big snowstorm of the season. My definition of "big snowstorm" is any storm where the driveways need to be cleared of the white stuff. And if you need to clear them multiple times in quick succession, well, that's a really big storm.

We got that.

Last year was such a devastating winter as far as snowstorms were concerned. Last year (and the year before that...), my family was hired to shovel the driveways and sidewalks for eighteen homes in a senior living community. The first year we did it, we shoveled four times...

Four times.

Last year, I honestly cannot remember how many times we shoveled because it was SO much. The first year, we had five shovelers. Last year...three. At the end of the snow season last year we made the decision to not continue to side gig. It was a tough decision because it was good money, but we just couldn't do it. It was too difficult on us physically. This year, had we continued, we'd be down to only two shovelers--myself and my wife--and there would be several new homes to clear.

When the show began falling last week, I honestly got twitchy. I hated snow so much that those old feelings returned. Thankfully, we only had to remove the snow from our own driveway and to clear my mother-in-law's driveway when the new snow removal service doesn't clear it.

So much better!

Before last winter, I actually loved it when it snowed. I love the way the landscape looks after a good snowstorm. I'm hoping for that love to return. 

Oh, Arcade...Where Have You Gone?

 

My side gig takes place near a location where I spent countless hours as a kid. Almost every summer day my friends and I would go to the Lagoon pool, swim for a few hours, then walk around the park. We'd inevitably find ourselves at the Lagoon Arcade. I think it was called the Penny Arcade.

It's been called many things since it was built decades ago.

I believe it was first built as a dance hall. There's even the old wooden floor. Can't say for certain, but I think much of the wooden floor might be original where teenagers and parents danced the night away to first big bands, then rock and roll legends. 

Then again, since I know nothing of how long a wood floor lasts, I might be way off.

As a kid, we'd check out the pinball games. We'd check to see if any adult had played a pinball game, earned a credit or two, but left not knowing (or caring...) they had a free game. Finding a credit on a video game was golden, mostly because we had no money to play games ourselves. All three sides of that huge space were lined with nothing but pinball games.

As we grew, the arcade evolved. Video games came into their own and transformed the arcade into a palace of electric entertainment. We were older and had some money at that point. We'd even play a game or two.

The modern arcade turned into a place to earn points to buy stuff, stuff I don't care much about. There's no Asteroids or even Mortal Combat. Why have those games when much more impressive and challenging games are found on everyone's phone?

Still, I miss Tron and Missile Command and Galaga and Dig Dug and Centipede Dragon's Liar Pac Man Donkey Kong and Frogger and Zaxxon and Tempest and Joust and Journey and dozens more.

Maybe it's just a miss my youth. Still, looking at the space I once loved, I can't help but feel bad for how far it's fallen. Too bad...those were great times.

This Memorial Day...Things Were Different

For years, my family has gathered at the site of my parents's graves. We'll meet either Saturday, Sunday, or Monday on Memorial Day weekend. There are a few things we do, mostly just stand around, chat, and take pictures. Then, I inevitably post pictures of the gatherings. It's fun to look back and see how much has changed since I began posting pictures.

I'll take pictures of my the grandkids, many of whom have themselves married and now the great-grandkids are among the photos. Then, at some point, my sister, my brother, and I will stand together and someone will take pictures of, "The Taylor Siblings."

This year, things were different.

Last December, our sister passed away unexpectedly. We're not the only family suffering from such a loss. Many find themselves without loved ones at gatherings now. Thanks to small miracles, her headstone was placed only a week ago. Of course, we would have gathered this weekend without the headstone, but having it in place meant something special to our family.

I've always enjoyed our family's Memorial Day tradition, but this year, I dreaded it...not overly, but it was there.  I'm thankful we were able to get together. We met in between rainstorms. chatted, and took pictures. Yes, it was different, and it will never be the same as it once was, but I suppose that's the point of life...experiencing the present and hopefully, appreciating it as well.