I almost hate to post the first pic after my last post but it's how the days have connected. Life. As you roll into Duryea the largest headstone on the right is a memorial for my great grandparents. It's so very strange to see your own name on a headstone but there it is. I didn't know this town until I was an adult but I still feel a strong connection to it. There's not much left, especially after the last flood, but there is still so much family history. A drive through town only takes 5 minutes, maybe 10 if you go past the house and the other cemetery. The hole in the ground where Grandpa's bar was is finally filled in, that only took 75 years, but the garage is still there. That's Dad bent over picking up something important. I've taken so many photos of this empty lot but without anyone to really tell the stories it is what it is, an empty lot. There's folklore and newspaper clippings but nothing first hand. Oh how I wish I could go back in time to see whether there really was a brothel, to see whether Grandpa had alcohol during prohibition, to see how the fire really started... the stories are probably better then the truth. It's sad to see all the bars and restaurants closed, the Mo-Ritz has been for sale for so long i'm sure they'd give it to you for free if you'd actually open something in it. What happens to a town like this? How does it stay alive when even the churches are closing?

Happy Holidays!


Duryea, PA 2011

Sunday.





From here it doesn't look to bad. From here you cannot smell the stench of mold and mud. From here you are not there. The doors and windows will remain open not just to air out the house but because they won't close. Warped beyond the frames. The entire main floor was covered in 3ft of water and now completely empty. So strange to be in the home without all the items I've always known to be in their proper places. Inside is the FEMA inspector going over losses and damages, the house chilled from the dampness, we moved Aunt Lori outside into the sun to answer questions when needed. You try to remember everything that was in the house, and even with photographs, I'm sure we missed a few items... but with the extensive damage to the foundation I'm sure she will get what she needs to repair, rehab and move on.

A place to sit.


The house is over 100 years old, my Grandmother's family has lived on Chittenden for all of their lives. Now, with just my Great Aunt left of the original Baclawski gang, she no longer has a home. Her favorite spot near the door watching out the window for visitors and goings on about town... no longer. Last week the Lackawanna River overflowed into Duryea forcing the residents near the levee evacuated, some like my Aunt who did not want to go, just in time. The photo albums next to the chair, paperwork on the kitchen table, personal items - all soaked. So after her entire life in this house, she will stand strong and move into an apartment. The house is savable but with months of construction and repairs to the foundation, furnace, replacing all of the furniture, etc., seems like an opportune time to move into something more manageable for one of our Elders. I will help her this weekend sort through the saveables, the upstairs and attic... through the 100+ years of memories on Chittenden.

The latest news from the Times-Tribune is heartbreaking.
Click through to read.

what's left.


Duryea PA April 2011

Cwikla's





In a small town near a smaller town is Cwikla's. A bakery I've heard of and known of most of my life yet never visited. I've tasted the goodness at family events when the breads would make their way to Detroit and now I've tasted them straight out of the oven. The brothers are almost family, close enough to be, but not really. A couple stuffed Poppy Seed breads were made just for my cousins to take home and when we stopped in we got a quick tour of the oven. An amazing yellow brick wall of fire, burning hot with coal that's still delivered through the shoot from the street. History alive. If you ever find yourself in Avoca, PA... go get some goodness!

Home Again.


Rest in Peace, May 2011

We came as a family to say goodbye, I would have preferred under better circumstances but it really was a wonderful trip. Not too often do we get together, let alone have nothing to do but enjoy our time with each other. An afternoon of memories, a beer by the river, and a dinner full of conversation... with that, I thank you. RIP Aunt Sophie...

another sun has set.


Arm wrestling at 92, March 2011

It's been a rough year for my family and it's only coming on May.
RIP Aunt Sophie..

no relation?



I asked how I was related, my Aunts said we weren't. I stared in confusion. She said think of how many Baclawski's there are, we aren't all related. But this is a very small town. I think I need to do some research.

Reflected, deflected.

Family.







They were born here, and now in their 90s, this will likely be their only home. It's a nice house, the house they know, but not easy when the only bathroom is upstairs. Alzheimer's is taking Sophie's mind so Laurie cares for them both. I cannot imagine. I don't think Sophie remembered me, but she recognized a photo of herself and knew who my parents were which made us all smile. She's still quite strong and was happy to show me, I thought she wanted to arm wrestle! I was worried it would make me sad but she seems content in her mind, even a laugh and a beg for more ice cream after two bowls, but I cannot imagine watching 24/7. There's a repetitive nature to a loss of knowing and that can be exhausting so Laurie writes her notes that she keeps by her side. The memories are mostly gone but her mind is still working and when she gets confused the notepad is there to remind her what just happened and where she is. I'm not sure who it's harder for...

Flag #3 - Duryea, PA

I was off to see family for Thanksgiving, family I had not seen in a LONG time. Not sure how that happens. Anyways, spent Friday mostly on the couch but went for a walk with my Aunt around town. Duryea is a SMALL town so it's never a far walk. There's not really much left, most of the pubs have closed but of course you can still get a gun...