Batman lives in Pottstown

My brothers and I, when growing up, would regularly watch the TV version of "Batman" (c. 1966) and when the show opened, we would pose in front of the picture tube and swing our arms to match the "pow!" "bif!" "blap!" and other "sock it to them" that sent the villains flying.

My older brother, it seems, spoke of watching the show while at school, and somehow, got the impression that Batman, lived in a town called Pottstown, PA - about 20 miles up the road from us.

One day, while we lined up in front of the TV to do our "pows!" he proudly announced to my younger brother and I, that "Batman lives in Pottstown!" I don't recall our response at the time, but today, we still greet each other with "Hey! Batman lives in Pottstown!"

Imagine our surprise, when after Thanksgiving dinner, we decided to ask Mr. Google where Batman lived.

In just milliseconds, Mr. Google replied, "380 South San Rafael Avenue, Pasadena, California." And sure enough, appraised at $11,377,778 - Stately Wayne Manor with its 10 bedrooms, 6 baths and 16,599 sq ft space (which may or may not count the Batcave) appeared.

My older brother searched the "backyard" for signs of the Batcave exit - and is not convinced that "this is the place." Nor does he believe that the Gotham City Police Headquarters is in the Warner Brother's Studio back lot.

Hippo Birdie... Two Shoes!

Now this would be getting my biggest Birthday wish!

Today, I will be celebrating my posting a blog entry and going to the Super Market to get dish washing soap and doing some dishes.

Aren't I exciting? Thanks to everyone that send me a card or expressed Happy Birthday wishes!

Barnaget Lighthouse - Sunset Cruise

I know I've not posted anything lately. I don't know where my blogging mojo went. Recently, I went on a sunset cruise off Barnegat Light, Long Beach Island, on the "Miss Barnegat Light." I took lots of photos - it was a beautiful evening. The water was warm(ish) at 73F and the breeze kept things cool.

The boat left from the "Viking Fishing Village."

Barnegat Lighthouse, was built by George Meade, a Civil War General for the north. Barnegat Light was commissioned on January 1, 1859.

Later, all the little kids (and me) would get to drive the boat!

But first we motored out of the bay, past the lighthouse.

The other "aid to navigation," the town water tower, probably doesn't aid navigation nearly as much as the lighthouse!

A cooling breeze helped the "blow boat" stay abreast of us.

Ah... relaxation in a New York minute.

Taking the turn into the inlet to head out into the ocean.

We saw a pod of Porpoise and a big school of bait fish being chased by ... something in the deep. I had "Charlie-Problems" and couldn't get a good shot of the porpoise. I have 6 photos of the empty sea where these swimming mammals ... eluded me. The sunset wasn't much to get excited about - but...

...recently, they re-lit the old lighthouse, and seeing the light was a thrill!

Home Improvements

Now that the office has been moved to the downstairs floor of my house, it seemed neccessary to do some outside "yard work" to spruce things up for when clients came over.

The stucco is rather ... dingy.

A fresh coat of paint goes a long way.

The paver edging was in need of relaying and straightening. Rough on the tender "keyboarder's hands"!

I think the results were worth the couple hours in the hot sun.

The other end of the house was a jungle of weeds and rotted landscaping ties. I pulled out all the rot first and then weeded out the jungle.

Another shot of the end of house "flower bed".

The downspout was leaking and water was getting on the porch and into the garage.

More dingy stucco - the dirt is from the stump grinder that removed an old stump that was under the drain pipe here.

A new drain pipe to move the rain water away from the house. I got a pile of dirt to do some back filling - but it was 92 degrees F and equally humid - so that waits until a day comes that I won't get heat stroke moving dirt!

A gallon of white stucco paint makes such an improvement!

Another view.

The gutter had a leak right over the steps from the driveway to the front door - when the leaked water froze over the steps were "tricky" - we don't need any clients falling on the steps here! I never rode a bucket before - and now I never want to do that again!

I decided to dig a trench to help the drainage around the back porch - hot and humid meant taking it slow.

Repairs to the down spouting after the tree stump was removed. Some more white stucco painting when on...

The day lilies never bloomed before - they were buried in the jungle of weeds.

The new trench with gravel fill. We had a massive thunderstorm last night, and the gravel remained bone dry as did the porch!

I plan to paint the woodwork soon.

There is a lot more to do, but its coming along.