Janina

It's been a very sad time ... we lost Janina on June 20th, a few days after her 85th birthday. She was Arthur's wife, Arturo, David and Peter's mom, my mother-in-law. She was a woman of substance, very loving, strongly opinionated, an original. Here's an excerpt from her obituary, on which the family collaborated:

She was born on June 12, 1921, in Krakow, Poland, the daughter of Leo and Janina (Roman) Daniek.

Mrs. Lyman studied commercial art at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow. She survived the German occupation of Poland during World War II. She met and married her husband, Arthur, an American Marine Engineer in Poland in 1947, after which they moved to New York City to begin their life together in America. While living in Ardsley, N.Y., from 1953 to 1997, she was a active participant in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish, among which she had made many loving friends. She particularly enjoyed using her artistic talents to oversee the design and construction of decorations for the many themed parties.

An accomplished cook, she was known for her mean apple pie. After moving to Leominster in 1997 she became a member of St. Leo’s Parish. She was an avid animal lover and was particularly fond of her cats, Snowball and Peekaboo.

2006: Arthur & Janina at home.

1955: Janina with youngest son, Peter

1940s: Janina and her brother Zdzislaw in Poland (or is that Elizabeth Taylor?)

~1955: Janina (far right) with her sister, Irena, niece Susie and sons, Arturo, David & Peter in Ardsley, NY. Thanks to Arthur for the old photos.

She lived through trying and tragic times during WWII. She didn't talk much about those days, the memories were very painful for her. We know that her father, a Catholic, was imprisoned and died at Auschwitz. But born of those experiences was a strong, independent-minded woman.

Along with Arthur, she raised three fine sons, all good cooks as she was. She was the epitome of the "food is love" upbringing, to the point of about force-feeding us when we didn't eat "enough." Her winter specialty was a hearty golumpki; she also made great cole slaw. She spoke with a strong Polish accent and had her own cute, phonetic spelling of many English words.

She had an opinion on just about everything, from sports to politics to the neighbor's yard. When we'd correct a misconception she might have, she'd take it in stride ("Oh, Okay"), and move on to the next thing. She loved and protected her sons fiercely, offering advice (in the form of commands) on food, clothing, what to do when sick, how to travel in bad weather, car maintenance, etc. But her intensity would often give way to laughter as she also saw the lighter side of things.

She didn't want us to give her gifts — afraid we'd get the wrong thing ("How do I clean that?"). But knowing we would anyway, she'd tell us exactly what she wanted, always a modest request. She was the most practical person I knew. I loved her get-right-down-to-business approach, no dawdling around, let's go! When you asked her a question you better be prepared to get an honest opinion. As Peter said, she had no filter ... it was brain to mouth.

Before her eyesight started to fail, she was one of the very few people who would actually want to see my latest photos, ask questions about them and compliment me on "beautiful" ones.

She was one of a kind; her own person, as Krisanne said. Here's to you, Janina; we'll all miss you terribly.

Arturo, Susie, Arthur, David and Peter, remembering Janina SEE MORE PHOTOS

A New York Minute ... or two

In mid-June we drove down to Westchester County in New York ... to visit Arturo, Cathy, William and their gang: Cairo, Sarah, Harry, Paolo and Chloe.

Cairo shows off his ear-raising talent, Sarah can only do flaps down.
On the Hudson.	Harry is sporting the "lion cut" for the summer ... so cute!
Arturo & Peter inside Johnny's in Mount Vernon.

We went to Friday's round at the U.S. Open in Mamaroneck, NY, at Winged Foot. The U.S. Open ... where cigars are allowed, but not cameras. Despite my extreme frustration at that, I love going to this tournament. Any golfer can qualify, and those that make it have the opportunity to be tortured and taunted by tough rough and undulating greens. It was amazing to see the course take such a toll on these guys.

Tiger missed his first cut at a major as a pro, and didn't look himself at all. The crowds still thronged and swarmed around him, trying to cheer him on, but no energy or magic was happening this time. We saw most of the "name" players, and caught a glimpse of the eventual winner, Geoff Ogilvie. (What a bizarre, exciting Sunday outcome.)

We enjoyed the perfect weather day, a rarity lately, and spent many hours walking the course and watching the play. The only downside was getting a bit too much sun and the cramped school bus ride back to our car in rush-hour traffic, which took over an hour. Yes, it's much easier to watch a golf tournament on TV, but it's great to be there, really experiencing the beautiful course, feeling the fairways and the roar of the crowd.

And what other sport gives you such up-close access to the players and the "playing field"? Where so many spectators play the same game and can relate to the golfer's travails and triumphs. And the end-of-day visit to the supersized, over-the-top Merchandise Tent — priceless! (not)

On Saturday, Peter and I took a ride around Dobbs Ferry, down to the Hudson River. We watched novice kayakers getting a lesson, then heading up river toward the Tappan Zee Bridge. I want to do that! We also drove into Ardsley, Peter's hometown. Up Hilltop Drive we went to see the old house & neighborhood. Peter thought everything looked pretty much the same. (I told Janina about the trip the day before she died.)

Afterward, with Arturo and Cathy, we went into the city. We had tickets to The Light in the Piazza at Lincoln Center. It's always a rush to see and feel the energy of NYC. Thanks for a fun weekend!

MORE NEW YORK PHOTOS HERE At Lincoln Center.

Raising the Roof.

Eighteen years of wind off the lake had taken a toll on our roof .. time for a new one. We'd been waiting a while since placing the order, it's been a tough season for roofers with all the #%@! rain. But one morning Done RIght Roofing called, wanting to come that minute — there was a brief clear-weather window. So they came, they ripped, they hauled, they pounded (cats freaking out, walls shaking, picture frames tilting), they stapled, they tossed, they cleaned. What looked like chaos around the house was actually a well-oiled machine at work. Five short hours later the entire roof was done. Amazing. Done Right done right by us.

Organized chaos.
It's done: the view from the sidewalk.

Why most people call it Webster Lake ...

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