Author Archives: Adele Josephine

A star shines in the East, a group of wise men are led to view a miraculous birth, a savior is born and the promise of love and forgiveness was granted to humankind.

A quiet calmness blankets the earth at Christmastime, could that be the nearness of God and our earth angels?

Recognize fears. Find light in the darkness. Trust in the divine one.

Hardships endurance allow growth the light of Christ gives us hope. The darkness will retreat. Focus on the positive and see Jesus. Stop worrying on the details of the negative. Notice the darkness but don’t allow it to overcome.

Find the hope!

As I walked out of the office on Thursday afternoon and glanced proudly upwards to “Old Glory” blowing in the breeze on a sunny afternoon, I was reminded of the words that echoed through my mind many times as I watched the VFW Post 1599 Honor Guard, led by my Grandfather, repeated so often throughout the years as they were paying gratitude to their fellow Soldiers…One for Honor, One for Duty and One for Service.

As citizens of the greatest Country in the world, don’t we all have that duty to love and respect one another in an honorable manner? We have been afforded those freedoms and luxuries because of the Soldiers, the men and women, that have served and continue to serve.

I see fighting and disagreements, disdain and dishonor across the country – instead of fighting, can we as a people find peace, can we not come together and support our fellow Americans?

Are we not all the same, soldiers in our our right, striving for peace and prosperity. We look for love, and to be loved. We strive for success and abundance. We strive for freedom and to find our place in this amazing country we call home.

ONE FOR DUTY…We have the duty to protect and love our fellow Americans with open minds and hearts.

ONE FOR HONOR – We have been granted the opportunity to live in the greatest country in the world – let’s live honorably with the grace of God.

ONE FOR SERVICE – We have the opportunity to serve our families and community organizations while expressing a sense of gratitude.

My friends and fellow Americas, please choose love versus hate and choose inclusion verses separation.

Tonight I visited the Fort Hunter Historic area on a social distancing walk with my favorite furry friend. I stood watching trains at the Rockville Bridge for about an hour. The view was breathtaking.

During my walk, I learned that the Eastern Division of the Main Line of the Pennsylvania Canal was located in the area in 1826 and completed in 1833. This was a 43-mile stretch the canal that linked Columbia, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Juniata River at Duncan’s Island. It was an integral part of the canal system that spanned the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and was used through the early 1900’s. 

The canal inspired a quick development of private profitable railroads in the area. The railroads followed the canal west, and in 1852, the railroad connected two cities, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and crossed the Susquehanna River on the Rockville Bridge.

The Rockville Bridge is the longest stone masonry arch railroad bridge in the world and was built sometime between 1900 and 1902. The bridge spans the river at a length of 3,820 feet compete with 48 arches and was the third bridge built in the area by the Pennsylvania Railroad.

In a time when the economy is in a downturn, there is something very comforting about watching trains and knowing that the locomotives and cars are constantly moving forward in balanced rhythm across the steel gauge tracks supporting the Nation’s economy, environment, and quality of life.

The nation’s freight rail network steams ahead moment by moment; tank cars, coal cars, hoppers, and reefers move forward keeping America’s products and goods in transit to communities across the United States providing citizens the goods they need for daily living.

Freight rail truly is the ‘engine that keeps America moving forward.

For without the railroad, where would America be as a country?

Information sources: Fort Hunter Mansion and Park and Pennsylvania Historic Markers

There are a few people that come into our lives that truly make a lasting impact; for me one of those people included Howie Greenblatt.

Although I can’t remember the exact date when I met the Greenblatts, I do know it was about 26 years ago. I can, however; recount the exact moment when I met them. I sat down at the kitchen table, at 712 Orchard Court for an interview of sorts, with Howie and Lorile as I soon was going to be babysitting their children Rachel and Eric; little did I know that because of this babysitting gig, I would have gained two precious lifelong friends.

The years went by and the Greenblatts moved to different cities from Pittsburgh to St. Louis and back to Pennsylvania. Though the chaos of raising children to job changes and the whirlwind of life, our friendship continued.

I met Lorile and the kids for rides rides on roller coasters and walked through Kennywood Park in a torrential downpour. I visited some cool places with Lorile and Howie – roadside markets and breweries – we ate ate really good food, drank sangria and laughed about the silliest things.

One time while visiting, Howie served me a “blood orange” in tiny little pieces. I stuck a tooth pick into the orange and tasted the sweetest thing I have ever experienced in my life. Although, that orange was not as sweet as my friends smile. I will never bite into a “blood orange” again without thinking of Howie Greenblatt.

Howie was truly one of the good ones. He loved his family, and protected them fiercely. His smile, lit up a room; his humor, so very oddly funny that I couldn’t help but laugh. His advice, ALWAYS truly life changing. He was a great friend.

My heart breaks for Lorile, Adam, Rachel, Eric and all of Howie’s precious family.

I’m sending you love, light, prayers and a reminder that even though Howie was taken from this earth entirely too soon and his physical presence is no longer with you, he is right beside you in the warmth of the sun, in the raindrops that touch your face on a hot summer day, in the wind that blows across your shoulders on a cool spring afternoon, and in the snowflakes that dance across your view on a crisp cold winter morning.

Look up my friends because in that big bold beautiful night sky, you will see your earth angel twinkling back at you sending you a message of peace, love and hope.

Life well lived…job well done!

You will be missed.

Godspeed!

🙏❤️💥

It is a strange world we are living in…emotions are running high and things feel very perplexing!

Easter Sunday started very peacefully with puppy snuggles and yoga church.

Duff and I then headed off into the forest for a social distancing walk and met Abby Knepper, Joshua Knepper, Kicker and crazy Walnut and disappeared deeper into the forest. We found a stream, and the dogs romped in the water.

We finished over 3 miles and headed back for some water and rest…of course continued our our social distancing and today only ventured out to get some much needed exercise for the dogs and the home sapiens.

The day ended with a “bang!”

I think we are all having these moments, and they are more than likely going to continue over the next few weeks and months as we all move into a “new normal” where things get “sticky,” but in the end we realize that love will prevail! ❤️

I want YOU to know, I’m going to love you harder.

I’m going to love you in your weakest moments and in your strongest ones.

I’m going to love you when you are happy and I’m going to love you more when you are sad.

I am going to get loud and tell you how you infuriate me.

I’m going to say the hard stuff and celebrate the good stuff!

But understand this, I love you and I’m not going anywhere beside YOU are my people, my family, my friends, my tribe! YOU are the reason I get up everyday and give the best to the world!

Let’s do this together!!!!

Happy Easter my loves! ❤️

Wouldn’t it be great if every day was sunshine and rainbows? We

But unfortunately life does sometimes bring difficult decisions, and uncomfortable conversations. In many cases we brought to a crossroads on life where a decision has to be made and unfortunately, as adults, we might have to make difficult yet life changing decisions.

The famous poet Robert Frost wrote these words over 100 years ago…

“Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”

Sometimes the journey is messy and overgrown – the road needs paving.

Guidance provided and grace given – the only way to help humans move forward is by building relationships and understanding where each individual journey starts – we can not impact change by ignoring the overgrow and jagged path – nor can we force change by solely focusing on the outcomes. It is a process to be engaged.

Will you walk the easy road? Or Will you be a change agent with desire to take the road less travelled?

Present moments, live for now!

Balance

Flow

Joy, Fulfillment, Spiritual Growth

GOD

Love, passion…SOULMATE ❤️

Travel, contentment, rest, self-care perfect health, abundance…

Home and family.

Feel the sun…

Touch the moon…

Dance with the stars…

BE JUBILANT.

A child of God, use all of the gifts that have been afforded to you to make a difference in this big, bold, beautiful world!

Can you believe the crazy, chaotic, magical time of year is upon us? This year has been a whirlwind adventure for my furry Duffield P.J and myself…

I finished ten years with the Senate of Pennsylvania on March 27, and immediately started a new job as a State Director with a national non-profit organization based in DC, working to promote the nation’s freight rail network. I travel extensively, so Duffield spends much time with his Grandy. He gets a ton of love, goes on lots of adventures, and is very spoiled! I think Grandy enjoys his company more than she admits. I am eternally grateful to my mother, for without her, I would not be the woman I am today. Thank you, Mom…to the moon and back.

I’ve been extremely blessed by my work and have had the opportunity to see the Cattle Yards & the Water Gardens in Fort Worth, Texas, the glimmering lights dancing on the Severn River in Annapolis, MD, New York City at Christmas, and the green mountains in the Adirondacks & Hudson Valley in upstate New York.

As I travelled the east coast this year sharing important GoRail messaging about the nationwide rail network to state and local elected officials and community leaders, I also listened and learned – important connections were made – relationships were created – coalitions were built. I learned that freight rail truly is the “engine that keeps America moving forward, not just a repetitious phrase used while organizing; for without the railroad, where would America be as a country? And, I must not forget to thank you to the friends I met and spent time with along the way – for these connections are what makes the job so beautiful.

On the personal front, I am still single, I have done the work, and am more than ready for my soulmate to arrive; please, feel free to send my digits to any handsome single intelligent gentlemen that you deem ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

I have been practicing yoga (spending some time hanging from aerial silks flying like a bird, talking walks and hikes with my boy, and getting in the pool and swimming when I can. Also spending lots of time with friends (so happy phone calls aren’t billed by the minute in 2019, or I would be in big trouble) and family. It was a truly amazing to have Abby and Kyle “home” for a bit– they are now off in the Air Force and the Marines. Very proud of my niece and nephew, and I wish nothing for the best for my two monkeys! Speaking of family, Kyle Vargas, I’m so happy you are a part of it. You have become dear to me, and I am very proud that you are Abby’s guy. I wish you two a bright and beautiful new year! I know you, as I am, are counting down the days until she returns in 2020.

Mom and I travelled with friends to Cozumel for 12 days in October for sun, fun, relaxation, great food, and scuba diving. I reached 62 dives and am moving forward in my pursuit of PADI Divemaster. Being under the sea is such a connection to the divine.

Abundance and love are fully present in my life, positive energy flows freely, unexpected shifts occur around every turn, endings, revelations, and new beginnings have been met with grace and support because my tremendous group of friends, family and angels on earth have allowed me the opportunity to rely on them for strength when I thought my reserves were completely empty. We have loved, we have lost, we have leaned on each other for strength; and through it all we have remained together and stronger through it. This year I found out who would “risk it all for me.” Thank you all for playing a special part of my life. I am looking forward to moving into the next decade with each of you.

As you move through this joyous Christmas season, I ask you to pause, take a breath, and feel the glorious healing powers of the divine touch your life…it is certainly a time for rejuvenation and new beginnings.

Merry Christmas my loves,

Melissa and Duffield P.J. 

“My idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?” ― Bob Hope