Today's the day to shovel our way out of yesterday's snowstorm...
My area in the Hudson Valley got hit with about thirteen inches, while the nearby city of Newburgh got around ten. So, for now things are moving slowly. Prison employees are trying to make their way to work. While yesterday no mail was given out as the van, which would normally go into town to pick up and drop off the facility's mail, was stuck in the snow.
Now, a day after the storm, most of the prisoners are in our cells as all of our school and vocational classes, and even the industrial shop, are closed. More than likely things will return to normal once the weekend goes by and workers manage to clear the roadway to the prison.
For me, it's a day to relax and unwind. I can't do clerical work because the chapel is closed. But looking out of the housing unit's windows, which face a small dingy courtyard, lies big piles of sparkling white snow.
Seeing this has caused me to reminisce about my childhood days of winter, where in the neighborhood I grew up in, sledding was a popular pass time. Like many kids, I had my own sled. With it, I could slide down a hill and steer it as I kept my belly and chest pressed flat against its wooden board.
What adventures! My sledding spot, which would be overrun with kids and even some grownups whenever there was a heavy snow fall, was located near the corner of Watson and Morrison Avenues in the Soundview section of the Bronx, which is one of New York City's five boroughs.
My friends and I, whenever school was closed and lots of snow was on the ground, would make our way to the overpass above the Bronx River Parkway, where an impressive hill awaited us. Sledding time! We joined a throng of excited kids as we'd await our turn to pick a spot, jump on our sleds, and zip to the bottom. But we always had to be careful not to slide too far. Otherwise, it could end in disaster. With cars travelling south on the Parkway at speeds of 45 to 50 miles per hour, one had to be careful not to go into the roadway itself.
Nice memories. And if anyone reads my journal and is interested, they could see the hill I used to go to. It's still there. It's a nondescript piece of land with Morrison Avenue on one side, and the southbound lanes of the Bronx River Parkway on the other. Watson Avenue is just north of the hill. While the junior high school I once attended when I was in my early teens, Junior High School 123, is on the opposite side of Morrison Avenue. The school yard is where I used to play softball.
D.B.
Now, a day after the storm, most of the prisoners are in our cells as all of our school and vocational classes, and even the industrial shop, are closed. More than likely things will return to normal once the weekend goes by and workers manage to clear the roadway to the prison.
For me, it's a day to relax and unwind. I can't do clerical work because the chapel is closed. But looking out of the housing unit's windows, which face a small dingy courtyard, lies big piles of sparkling white snow.
Seeing this has caused me to reminisce about my childhood days of winter, where in the neighborhood I grew up in, sledding was a popular pass time. Like many kids, I had my own sled. With it, I could slide down a hill and steer it as I kept my belly and chest pressed flat against its wooden board.
What adventures! My sledding spot, which would be overrun with kids and even some grownups whenever there was a heavy snow fall, was located near the corner of Watson and Morrison Avenues in the Soundview section of the Bronx, which is one of New York City's five boroughs.
My friends and I, whenever school was closed and lots of snow was on the ground, would make our way to the overpass above the Bronx River Parkway, where an impressive hill awaited us. Sledding time! We joined a throng of excited kids as we'd await our turn to pick a spot, jump on our sleds, and zip to the bottom. But we always had to be careful not to slide too far. Otherwise, it could end in disaster. With cars travelling south on the Parkway at speeds of 45 to 50 miles per hour, one had to be careful not to go into the roadway itself.
Nice memories. And if anyone reads my journal and is interested, they could see the hill I used to go to. It's still there. It's a nondescript piece of land with Morrison Avenue on one side, and the southbound lanes of the Bronx River Parkway on the other. Watson Avenue is just north of the hill. While the junior high school I once attended when I was in my early teens, Junior High School 123, is on the opposite side of Morrison Avenue. The school yard is where I used to play softball.
D.B.
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