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Even in little towns... there are hidden little gems. Places most of the people don't know about ... or see on a daily basis. These photos I took behind the main street's buildings. I just love the old bricks... the decay... the feeling of being in an "Olde World" setting....



Today was a very busy day... but at least I did get all my paperwork done and in for the grant I am trying for. And as a friend suggested... it was kissed and sent on it's way around midnight...


-----------> photos by Elaine A. Russell

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---------------> photo by Elaine A. Russell

this is to anyone.... perhaps a very specific someone....perhaps on behalf of everyone

.... who has ever had the misfortune of being treated badly by another human being

You belittle me with your words and your actions. You make me feel small. You fluff yourself up; and manage to impress some... but I know the truth. You are opinionated. You rant ideologically to anyone that will listen. You act as if you know all, have seen all... and have done it all.

You have traveled so far, and yet, really learned so little about humanity... about what it is to truly be human. To care for one another. To boost each other up; not to tear each other down. To be supportive. To honestly want to help someone... not for your own gain or self esteem... or because of what others may think of your good deeds.
You try to impress me with your talent and your intelligence, but it all falls flat when compared to what you have actually done. What does all that education and talent mean if you can't make the world a better place... if you have no desire to share your talents for the betterment of mankind.... but only to glorify yourself?

I do not know the answers... and I do not understand people sometimes

... but what I do know is this:

the bullshit stops here.

I am not vindictive. I have no agenda.

I just want you to know that I will no longer be bullied by you or your behaviour.

I refuse to let you get to me... because by doing so... I lose my personal power, and you win.

There are givers and takers in this world... and you are a taker.

You have no power over me. You cannot hurt me anymore.

Get off my feckin lawn.

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-----------------------------------a collage of photos taken at Charles Cole Memorial Hospital today



Today was one of those weirdly busy days... I ended up driving alot of people different places... to the store... to get groceries... to get movies.... out for dinner.....to the hospital and back... just different things. Kind of a "hurry up and wait" kind of thing at times.....
The hospital that dad is getting his rehab at is Charles Cole Memorial Hospital. It is the closest... and basically.. only ... hospital in the area. The next closest is about an hour away. And the one that dad had his surgery at is about 3hrs away.
CCMH is a good hospital. It has undergone sooooooooo many changes since I last worked there in 1990. But then, that is to be expected.
Dad had a bad day today. Alot of pain... still alot of swelling.... poor appetite... and generally not feeling well. He promised to take some pain meds tonight and try to rest......

........................................................................... a couple photos from one of the few alleyways in Coudersport. The mural was painted on the back of this building when I was in high school, by some fellow high school students. I think it still looks pretty cool.

I also love the brickwork on the buildings here. Alot of the downtown area features buildings built around 1880... so they are all brick... with Gothic and Victorian touches here and there. This is the backside of one of the buildings... and I just love the old iron staircase....

For dinner.... Kristin and I went down to Fox's Pizza... (formerly the Tastee Freeze when I was a kid). It still looks exactly the same as it did in the 1970's.... only the food has changed ever so slightly. You can still get pizza, burgers, fries, and soft serve ice cream and sundaes... but now they also offer Gyros and sub sandwiches, mozzarella sticks and other "fast food" items.

When I was a kid... they actually had a brown bear in a pen out back for "tourists" to gawk at... fortunately... they do not do that anymore. It's one of the few places for people to hang out at.... and the ice cream is still pretty good.....PLUS... ya gotta love that they still have gumball machines with cheesy toys in them.....

And then there was this guy... just taunting me from his perch on a porch in town. Nothing screams EASTER... like a plastic light-up bunny . My mother-in-law would've loved it... so in her honor, it became my photo for the day.....

---------------------------------------------------> all photos by Elaine A. Russell

Links:

Charles Cole Memorial Hospital: here

Fox's Pizza: here

Info on Coudersport, PA: here