Jersey Ger's Lighthouse Tour of the Shore

 An introduction to my journey.  As I turn 55 this year and reflect on my life, I have an overwhelming desire to document it.  I want to investigate the feelings of me as a child and continuing to want a life I imagined.  How that life compares to what I imagined.  How changes and adjustments happen like the ebbs and tides of the ocean.  My husband once wrote for me one of our first Valentine's Days and had it published in the Asbury Park Press in the Valentine's classified section.  "For every wave that comes ashore, my love for you grows more and more".   I want to compare my thoughts and visions to how my life actually turned out.  I hope you join me on my journey and leave comments, as that is a fuel that keeps my going.

 As I wrote some of my memories on my iphone it kept asking me:  who are you with and most of the time it made me a little mad, and I wanted to write.......me, myself and I.  But, I did bring a friend and it was a good book.  I sat on top of the pavillion on a rocking chair and totally breathed and relaxed.  Knowing all the comotion of children running, playing, and being loud didn't concern me.  I was free of responsibilities for the day and it felt really good.  I was the woman who as a child I imagined myself to be.  When I was a child I was the one playing in the sand, running around playing locker tag,  swimming in the pool only to jump out run through the tunnel to swim in the ocean,  doing dolphin dives through and riding waves and building sandcastles.  But, everyday I would look up and say some day I would be sitting on a rocking chair observing all that was around me.  And that day came yesterday and it was fabulous!

This a picture of me and my dad and my sister and brother.   The pool is remarkably almost the same.  It took a beating from Super Storm Sandy and many others storms and time.  This family picture is more then 50 years ago.  The pool was a chilly 67 degrees yesterday.  It is a salt water pool and there are not too many of them around any more.

I had to include this bench in the picture because it is so NOT Spring Lake.  But, there it was among the manicured gardens.  It probably still hasn't been attended to since the storm.

 These are the gardens that haven't changed in all of these years.  After Glen and I traveled cross country for one summer looking to relocate.  We had the desire to take a ride around Spring Lake.  We both agreed Spring Lake is the most beautiful town we have ever seen.

My best observation for my life today is.  Taking a picture of St. Catharines's makes me think of many things.  I was baptized there and so were my children.  But, after taking Art classes I wanted to visit Italy and see all of the churches, especially the ones built during the Renaissance.  But, again I was reminded I was searching for something I was lucky to have been around my whole childhood.  St. Catherine's is the most beautiful church I was most privleged to attend  Sundays.  Glen and I were not married here, we are different religions, but yesterday reminded me we may not share the same religion, but we share the same faith.  Had to take a picture of this bicycle.  It is a Schwinn, blue and white and perfect in every way.  I would always fantasize about having a Schwinn.  You know when I begged my parents for one........they would say that does not mean you have to have one, because everyone else had one.  My eighth grade graduation my mom took me to DJ's bike shop in Belmar and told me I could pick out any bike I wanted.  I was so excited!  It turned into a long and drawn out debate and I came home with the ugliest brown Head (a tennis brand at the time) three speed bicycle.  My mom won.  But, this is when I learned my real work ethic.  If I worked and made my own money....there was no debate......I finally got whatever I could afford and wanted.  I never bought the bike of my dreams, because that one did last me all through high school until I bought my own car and that is a whole other story.  On our first wedding Anniversary Glen and I went to a bicycle shop and bought matching Schwinns.  We were both the youngest of three and shared the same story.  We rode the bicycles from Pt. Pleasant home to Manasquan  and smiled all the way.                                                                                                                                                               Last night when I got home I starting flipping through the book by Anne Morrow Lindburg Gift from the Sea and reminded how brilliant she was comparing life moments to shells.  Then I looked at clothes on the internet and my daughter is so excited about a line of clothes called Virginia .....darn Senior moment....anyway brought me to reading about Virginia Woolf.  And she ironically wrote a book about a journey to a lighthouse.  I can't help but, feel I am on to something here.  But, this
is truly soul soothing to me.  I was lucky beyond words or pictures to grow up in such an ideallic beautiful place and will be forever grateful to my parents.  This was where I called home the first 23 years of my life.  As you can see
by the picture of my mom, I had
a lot to live up to.  I respected her and
her wishes and never wanted to disaapoint her in any way.  We have a good relationship where she will actually tell me how much she appreciates me for our friendship.  I always have some guilt no matter what, but feel she is proud of me.  As a parent
the feeling of pride is the best gift a parent could ask for.  I truely think my mom has had a wonderful life.  I think she was a good mother, but the teenage years of her children turned out nothing like she imagined.  After WWII there was such an ideallic way of life for the American family.  The sixties brought out a social storm into the households that was hard to adjust to.  It was a whirlwind of changes and the younger generation was winning and my parents didn't like that one bit.

I decided for this vacation I would visit a different light house each day.  I have a vacation.  But, we own a store in Asbury Park.  How do I relax,  but not just spend my time on the couch watching TV.  So, a couple of weeks ago I decided to take a road trip each day and visit a different Lighthouse.

 It seems funny to take pictures of places I passed by everyday.  I totally take them for granted.  But, after superstorm Sandy I take nothing for granted.

 Serendipity of the day:  I passed by this mid afternoon on a Saturday in Mid-July and was able to get a parking space.  The song on the radio:  Lighthouse by Ziggy Marley.  The song playing made me feel like there is some kind of devine intervention going on with this journey which is very inspiring and motivating and takes care of my self doubt.  But, the other of finding the parking space is to make people aware that New Jersey is in trouble.  People assume with the traffic and so many people around that business must be good.  Let me just tell you to find a parking spot beachside in Point Pleasant at noon.....it is not good!

 Surprise picture of the day.  Can't wait to do some editing of this picture.  The birds were having so much fun next to the lighthouse in Sea Girt.

Walking towards North End Pavilion and seeing that the relief motifs on the Pavillion were reproduced.

  This panel below is a dedication to the old panels that were destroyed by Super Storm Sandy.  The reliefs are on the building, but I don't know if they will be left as a relief or painted.

I took these with a digital camera in 2009.  It had been on my mind for a long time that something I saw so many times and loved should be in my computer so I could appreciate them at home.  I have many ideas what I would like to do the images, and at the right time I know I will do something with them.

I was so happy to see the suns and most of all the lighthouse.  It is a symbol of light for me.  A symbol of relief for sore eyes.  A helpful building to help someone find their way.  It is reliable and weathers many storms.  It stands tall and proud and lights the way for others.  The government pays attention to the importance of them.  They have the best view of the most beautiful parts of the world.  They stand still while the waves and tides change around them.  I am so looking forward to all the lighthouses I see in the next few days and hope they enlighten me, but most of all make me grateful for this wonderful life!

 So, my day was enriching, enlightning and soothed the soul.   My favorite observation for the day that I would NOT photograph was a man about my age leaning on the rail, baseball cap and sunglasses with a rosary.  I don't know what he was praying for but, as I walked to my car I decided to pray very hard that this man's prayers would be answered.

Since it was a Saturday all the chuches were full of weddings.  I have a wonderful feeling of satisfaction for my life at this age and every wish I ever wished upon a star has come true for me.  I want to document this so my family knows truely what they mean to me.  They are a dream come true for me.

Goalllllll !!!!

No, I am not watching the World Cup today.  USA does play today, though.  I am celebrating a goal almost completed.  Last year when I went back to work full time as an department manager for the children's department in a department store I knew time management would be my biggest concern.  I would add some time to a commute, still have to have time for my family, home, dog and bookeeping responsibilities.   And, still find time to relax and renew during my vacation time.  I was able to have a week off and get some things done and relax too.............goal !!!!!  It feels good when you can accomplish what has to get done and not get too stressed out going about it.  This desk I walked by back in the beginning of store opening last year.  I wanted it so bad.....the price for the three pieces were fantastic.  Glen put together the desk and media holder.....I still have a bookcase to put together.  I was in some stores over the vacation and saw some things I wanted to buy to decorate the walls.  But, I decided to make them instead.  I was able to make the  peace, heart and anchor canvases over my vacation with my shell and sea glass collection.  I am happy I not only started them, but finished them too.  I took some pictures this morning at the beach and will use the pictures for greeting cards!  YAY!!!  Summer hasn't even started yet......yay!!!!!

Follow That Dream

Once Upon a Dream.......this picture happened.....right?  Sometimes my life seems so surreal I am so thankful for pictures to show that the moments have actually happened.  After Sandy I have taken pictures of a lot of customers and I am making a scrapbook out of it using the Born In The USA record cover as the cover of the scrapbook.

And this really happened too.....right????  Hard to believe but, we got to meet Jim Rotolo, of the Wild and Innocent show on E Street Radio, in person and this was taken after he was checking out the tree Glen had made out of vinyl records.  Jim was so nice and gracious and loved the tree and spent a lot of time admiring all of the different record labels used.  

So, as I get older I feel everyone has dreams and some people make their dreams come true.  But, if no one validates that dream does it really come true?  Through photos and now the digital world of facebook, twitter and instagram we can now share instantly when our dreams come true.  What a great time to be living in.......aren't we lucky?  

In listening to E Street Radio as we are celebrating 30 years after Born in the USA was released I was giving a lot of thought to my dreams.  I even heard a song of Bruce Springteen's that I have never heard before......imagine that!  Follow that Dream an outtake of Born in the USA....a song of Elvis Presley that had a movie of the same name.  It is a beautiful song and talked to me and told me to keep following my dream.  A challenge for me lately is to be motivated to keep my dream alive of our store Greetings from Geralyn.  But, the memories of ALL that has come out of my dream keep me going.  I decided to make a list of ten songs of Bruce Springsteen which have helped me throughout my life to hold onto my dreams and never give up.

Born to Run:  As a teenager I had an intense yearning to get out of my house.  I wanted to run away but, never wanted to hurt my parents.  But, that feeling of wanting independence is sometimes just the feeling you need to make a dream come true for yourself.....you are born with that feeling and it is that basic instinct that will make you jump into something (for example opening Greetings from Geralyn)

No Surrender:   Once you start on your pathway to making a dream come true.....there is no giving up! There are the promises you make to yourself and to others to make sure your dreams come true.

Dream Baby Dream:  I don't understand dreams and how they happen....but, listen to them, write them down, talk about them....and keep dreaming baby!

Working on a Dream:  My dream was never to win the lottery and live happily ever after.  It was to find work and build on economic security and the only way to do that is to keep working!

The Wrecking Ball:   OMG have we had wrecking balls,  no foot traffic on Cookman Avenue, a New Year's Day greeted with a smashed front window to the building in the Arcade we were in, the storm Irene where we lost a whole weekend of income, the superstorm Sandy which filled the whole building of Convention Hall full of water and sand, and the latest this year a water main break that drenched both stores full of water.  Glen's tree survived and dried out without any damage thank goodness.  But, the lesson from the song is know that hard times come and hard times GO.....don't give up and always believe the best is yet to come!

The Rising:  Again having the faith to hold on and to know with the worst comes the best.....without the rain there would be no rainbow.

Into the Fire:  Knowing with prayer and meditation we can get through the most difficult situations.  This is my go to song for helping me get though everything I do not have control of.

For You:  Again there are so many people in our lives we have no control over.  We love them and want only the best for them.  But, we have no idea what they are going through and knowing we can't always be saviors for others.....we can be there for them but, we can't save them for their inner demons which make their dreams fail.

Two Hearts are Better Then One:  Having someone else not only share your dream but make them happen is the most amazing part of a dream come true.  This makes you believe that we can all live happily after whatever that dream may be.

Follow That Dream:  Knowing that just around the corner is the Light of Day even if there is Darkness at the Edge of Town.  

Channeling my inner flower power hippieness

 Needed a trip to New Hope to see a vibrant, busy, creative, alive Main Street America

 Needed to see a store I enjoyed twenty five years ago........still there!!!!!

 Needed to see some sixties inspiration!

 Needed to see a mailbox on a Main Street.....when is the last time you saw that?

Needed to see a creative business very busy and full of pictures of customers and vibrant colors!

Trip Around the World without leaving Jersey

 When we went on a cruise last week, I started the vacation at a book store.  I didn't find anything to read.  So, when we got home I started googling my favorite author and realized she had a new book.  Her name is Elizabeth Gilbert and she wrote:  Eat, Pray, Love.  I followed the website and liked her facebook page.  Then realized her home just was featured in the New York Times and it was for sale and it was in New Jersey!

 Upon reading more the author is now married and they own a store in Frenchtown, NJ.  I start to look at what events she has upcoming.  She will be with Oprah at the Meadowlands....tickets are I am sure worth it, but expensive.

 I just need some inspiration, not spend a fortune.  This morning I am thinking what a great way to spend the day, but to take a ride there.  Kaylyn had an interview this morning and thought she might like to join me.  We were very close to going, but she had to back for work at 4pm and didn't want to rush the trip.  I know we will probably be back to New Hope on Sunday......mmmm  maybe Glen would want to go.

 Then Ian called to ask for a ride from Trenton station and that was perfect because Frenchtown is about 30 miles above Trenton.  I wonder as we are driving if all of her books would be available.  Not only are they available......they are all signed!

 The store named Two Buttons is huge.  It is like a trip around the world with an exotic collection of goods filling every nook and cranny.  As soon as we walked in the door we knew we were in for a treat!  Best of all it is in New Jersey.  Again we are SO lucky to live here!!!!!

My purchase was five sheets of handmade paper and Elizabeth Gilbert's newest book:  The Signature of All Things.  What an unexpected wonderful day!  I am going to use the paper to make greeting cards.  I will share pictures soon!!!!

Some Earth Day thoughts......

   I always feel good on Earth Day since, we started our business.  I love the idea of what we do is  being creative with records that aren't played anymore.  I love hearing your positive responses to what we do also.  There is an unlimited and endless supply of records, especially ones that were made famous by selling millions of copies.  This year we have decided to sell EVERYTHING handmade!!!!  After a few years we have seen just how well the items that we make outsell everything else.  We also have seen your enthusiasm in buying old vinyl also.  We will have more records available for sale, also.  Glen is making a lot of inventory already.  I am starting to make a huge amount of cards and journals this week.  And, my daughter Kaylyn will be painting dogs on vinyl and making greeting cards.  We will be probably be back in business by mid- May......yay!!!!

People.....get ready....

     May is approaching.  Meaning I have the task of restocking the store for summer.  In January a water main broke and dumped water all over this display.  So, all the things I spend the most time making were ruined.   Since, the store has become so seasonal because of the rebuilding of the boardwalk, it has given me the gift of time.  So, I have been working real hard and most days off I am fighting a cold and on the coach like a vegetable.  But, we get to go on vacation the week ending with Easter.  Perfect!  The time of the year for the RISING!  I plan on recharging my batteries!  And then all my days off will be spent making cards, journals and scrapbooks.  I do like spending my time like this way but, when you became exhausted it becomes a challenge.  My daughter is home this year, so she plans on helping her dad at the store.  I have described how when I make each card and add a glisten to the ocean or a building on the card it gives me the best feeling.  To be a part of watching Asbury Park come back to life has to be one of the best feelings.  Having my children and watching them grow of course is the best.  But, when it was time for them to go out on their own, I was left with an empty feeling.  Asbury Park has filled my soul.  As I approach the summer I am more pensive then ever.  A lot has changed since the first summer.   But, it is time to get ready!  I am so looking forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new faces.