Today is Sunday, October 29 and there are only 58 days until Boxing Day, so get those gifts for your mailman and garbage collectors ready.  Today we remember the birthdays of Charles Ebbets, Bela Lugosi and Neal Hefti.  On this day in 1682 William Penn landed in what would become Pennsylvania, in 1811 the first Ohio River steamboat left Pittsburgh for New Orleans and in 1966 the National Organization of Women was founded.  In Cyprus it is National Day, in Turkey it is Republic Day and in the US it is National Oatmeal Day and National Hermit Day.

For those of you who might be interested, National Hermit Day is a day to take some time to be alone.  It is a time to step away from the hustle and bustle of your everyday life and retreat to some place quiet.  I do that all the time.  I call it going to the bathroom.  

This past week friends of Barbara’s came to visit us from South Carolina.  They had never journeyed this far north before and we wanted to give them a sampling of what we had to offer up here.  On their first day we went to the Statue of Liberty.  They were overwhelmed, not only by the statue, but also by the views of the Manhattan skyline.  Our tickets also gave us pedestal access so we got the chance to go up there as well.  Part of the pedestal access was a spot where you could look up and see the inside of the statue.  I thought it was cool to say that we got to look up her dress.

One of the things that puzzled me was the security.  Before we boarded the boat to take us to the statue, we had to go through a complete security check.  This included all the stuff you go through at the airport.  I had no problem with that.  Once we got on the island and started to enter the pedestal access, we had to go through another check just like the first one.  What exactly were they afraid of?  I got checked, boarded a boat that went to Ellis Island and then boarded a boat to the statue.  Unless I missed it, I did not see any weapons or explosive devices being sold on Ellis Island or on the boat.  What did they think I had obtained … but I digress.

We walked around the statue pedestal and marveled at the views we had.  It was a beautiful day, the weather was great and we spent a good part of the day on the island.  All in all, we walked over 8,400 steps (3.6 miles approx.) and had a great day.  We finished the day by taking them to a diner so that they could get a good idea of what it is like to be overfed.  We saw a variety of interesting people at the statue.  One woman looked like she was dressed for a bit part in a Grade B movie, with short black skirt, tight black blouse, black fish net stockings and black leather jacket.  I saw a guy wearing a short-sleeved green plaid shirt that he had buttoned up to the neck, a pair of orange corduroy pants and red canvas shoes.  The woman he was with was dressed normally, so I am not sure what his issue was.

The next day we took them to an orchard that we like to visit.  The thing I like about this place is that I do not have to pick my own apples.  I have always felt that if I am going to pick them, I should not have to pay for them.  I am doing your work, you should be paying me, or at least giving me the apples.  Sorry, digressing again.  This place we went to had some great stuff to buy and we did – pies, donuts, a large selection of apple varieties and cider.  It gave them a chance to better understand why my waist seems to continue to expand.  It also gave them a chance to see some of the New Jersey countryside.

The next day we went down the shore.  On the way there is a premium outlet store I like to go to and, of course, we did some shopping while there.  I am always surprised at how I am able to find things to buy every time I go to outlet malls.  It is not like the prices are so incredible or the things I get are so unique.  It just seems like when I go to a place that claims to be an outlet mall, everything seems like a bargain.  I guess malls like that exist for people like me.  In any event, we shopped and then went on down the shore.  While most of the places on the boardwalk were not open, they were able to get a sense of what is would be like during the summer.  We bought some ice cream and walked on the beach.  It was great.

Their final day was spent going out to Lancaster County in Pennsylvania to visit Amish country.  We got to see some beautiful country, saw the horses and buggies the Amish use for transportation and found a good Pennsylvania Dutch farmer’s market where we were able to do some shopping.  I bought a few things even though it wasn’t a farmer’s outlet market.  In general, we had a great time and I think they really enjoyed themselves.

One thing I wondered about came up while we were on a highway in Pennsylvania.  The speed limit was 70.  I was driving the limit because I thought 70 was a good speed.  As I drove along cars were going by me.  I wondered why they felt that 70 was not fast enough to get where they were going.  If a car needs to go faster it should have emergency lights on it or a sign that says “Transplant Organs On Board.”  That’s all.  I have complained often enough about speeders, but just wanted to slip one more rant in.

This week our fact tells us that in Miami, it is illegal for men to be seen in public in any kind of strapless gown.  So my question is can they wear a strapless sun dress?  Can they wear a tube top and skirt?  Is the problem with the fact that it is strapless or that it is a gown?  I really think that they should be required to show what caused this type of rule to be created so that those of us who read it and shake our heads can better understand it.