Speaking about the Sun

In the day we sweat it out on the streets of a runaway American dream / At night we ride through the mansions of glory in suicide machines / Sprung from cages out on highway 9 / Chrome wheeled, fuel injected, and steppin’ out over the line / Oh-oh, Baby this town rips the bones from your back / It’s a death trap, it’s a suicide rap / We gotta get out while we’re young / `Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run
-The Boss

Day one of pt 2 of our East Coast journey found us in three states in one day.  Let’s begin where we left off in my last post — Penn Station, Manhattan, bidding Joey adieu. We boarded a train to Secaucus where we caught our connecting train to Ramsey, New Jersey, located on the New York border.

Tensions were running high on the train; Robbie and I were tired and annoyed with each other, we were both getting sick and feeling sad we hadn’t been able to see and do as much as we wanted to on our short stint in Manhattan. We had both been hurt by the other and the train gave us a good chunk of time to talk through all that, and to show each other grace and love through the power of the Gospel. As with every marriage we are learning how to care and nurture each other in unique ways, and to show love and compassion in areas that might not be our strong suit – we’re getting better but there’s no real combat training for two selfish sinful individuals who are becoming one.  There’s occasional resistance from both parties, so we are learning by failure and with grace.

We arrived in Ramsey by 10:30 am and were picked up by Robbie’s uncle. Today was the day of our New Jersey party, celebrating our marriage. We had a fantastic meal at a small Italian placed called Limoncello, there were many courses of food + many bottles of wine, as well as a cake of course! We had calamari, caprese salad, rigatoni, a wonderful pear and blue cheese salad, and breaded veal. It was an almost all day affair and after leaving the restaurant we went back to Robbie’s uncle to celebrate more (and to watch the Rangers game — Rangers of the hockey variety.)

I think the Senators won the game, I am not sure. At this point I was feeling pretty congestion and sick, the pollen in the air mixed with a general sinus cold had me down for the count. Around 6:30 we hopped in a van with Robbie’s mom and his grandparents headed for Connecticut.

Our final destination was “brass city” the cozy town of Waterbury. After drinking a hot toddie I fell fast asleep.

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Day two was one of my favorite days of the whole trip. We slept in until around 8, a feat for Robbie and I, woke up to fresh coffee and donuts, heaven. The only excursion for the day was a beautiful drive to lovely Litchfield for morning mass at The Grotto. It was drizzling while we were there, but the tranquil presence of the Holy Spirit and the low sound of the brook running through the grounds was serene. I didn’t take any pictures while I was here, sadly. It will just have to be remembered in my head.

After The Grotto we had a quick snack at Dunkin’ Donuts (of course!) and returned home for more relaxation until we were summoned to the dinner table. Robbie’s grandfather had prepared a treat for us: rack of lamb, salad, potatoes, and homemade focaccia, referred to as “oocheech” by Robbie’s family. “Oocheech” is a word used only in the VERY localized area of Southern Italy where Robbie’s grandfather is from, no where else will you find this word.

Again, I didn’t take any pictures. It was too nice of a night to worry about sharing the share-able-ness of it on Instagram. It was a simple evening full of love and so much yummy food. Plus Robbie’s grandad’s homemade wine, it was an unparalleled night. The night ended with a slice of coconut cream pie and watching the classic Sydney Poitier film Lillies of the Field – the film that gave him his Oscar.

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Day three meant saying “goodbye” to quaint Connecticut and traveling back to New Jersey. We were on the road by 8:30 and almost as soon as we had crossed into The Boss’ Country we were in a diner enjoying the Jersey breakfast – Taylor Ham Egg and Cheese on a hard roll.  A cheesey ooey salty crispy breakfast sandwich that is hard to replicate anywhere outside a diner or bagel shop in NJ.

Feeling satisfied and ready for a day of NJ tourism we headed straight south aiming for Princeton and it’s infamous cemetery near the college.

Are you Aaron Burr, sir?

Rosemary Citrus Soda

“I assure you we are open”

“I wasn’t even supposed to be here today”

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