February 2008

“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”

Valentine’s Day Blues, ICE, ICE & MORE ICE & Marcie Is a Fraud!

On the fifth of February, I accompanied Joe to the Bainbridge VA Clinic for his follow up appointment. It took ½ hour to scrape the ¼ inch of ice off the windows! That was not the only problem. The driveway, which is on a knoll, was a sheet of ice. Joe drove gingerly, but the car had her own mind. We slide side to side and then the car slide sideways as we neared the road. I prayed no one was coming. At the bottom the left front wheel caught a bare spot and Joe was able to recover the car. We were shaken and finally on our way.

Dr. Dao was glad to see us and embraced Joe and patted him on his shoulder. Joe had not experienced any further chest pains since that day in early December. Thank GOD! Doctor Dao was glad to hear that and proceeded to check everything. Joe’s blood sugar was up and it was noted that the medicine he was taking, was not working well. He prescribed a new one. All in all, all went well. Dr. Dao suggested a weight management program to take a little weight off and that would help coupled with exercise.

Joe has been burning wood and it works well. We are nearing the end of the supply. Prices vary from $45-$65 a cord. He will need seasoned and that seems to be a problem. He has his furnace as backup.

You may remember that I purchased two digital hearing aids from Katie Marcie, Expert Ear, of Oneonta, NY several years ago. Well, it turned out to be a bad deal. She had no license. . She is now on probation and has left the state, supposedly in Texas. Authorities are on her tail. She changed addresses three times over a few years and defrauded many folks, who also purchased hearing aids. She was found guilty and was to pay restitution. I am going to keep on top of this.

It is Valentine’s Day and I have the same mixed feelings I have had for 10 years. It was on this special day 10 years ago at 6:13am that my husband of forty-three years lost his battle with ALS and went to be with his LORD. He left me with a peaceful smile on his face that lead me to believe he was, in fact, at peace. . I thanked GOD for letting me share his life and love and not allowing him suffer anymore. Since that day I did everything I could to keep busy and involved, then one day, I decided to go to a Hospice support meeting.

There were perhaps ten people there with the same lost feeling. It was good for me to know that there were others who were sharing the same feeling that I had. After several months, one of the gentlemen who came called me on the phone and asked” Are you going to the meeting tonight? I live in Fly Creek and I can pick you up. I go right by your place.”

That evening he did pick me up and over the course of the next few years, we cried and laughed together and he proposed often. I eventually did say yes and we had a happy life for 11½ months, at which time I lost him to a massive stroke one Sunday at 7:00am and he was gone at that time that night. I was again back to square one. A year to the day I was reunited with an old customer of my Country Kitchen and am now enjoying the other side of sadness with him. It has been great and I know I have the blessings of both Richard and Irwin.. . .Life does go on peppered with joy and sorrow.

I walked downtown to the Cooperstown Library and got a surprise. The Fenimore Quilt Club was having their 2008, sponsored by the Cooperstown Art Association. I know you will not be able to go this year, but perhaps you will be in the area next year. It is running from February 9-24 this year and there were 100 quilts, all of them beautiful. About 17 for were for sale. Many of the quilts were hand sewn or machine sown with appliqué. The patterns and colors were delightful. Keep it in mind for an extra treat or you next year. Calling 607-547-9777 can get more info.

I ran into two old friends at the Price Chopper in Oneonta- Ferd and Marge Thering of Christian Hill. I hadn’t seen them since Irwin and I had met them on a bus trip to a Lobster Feast in Massachusetts. Neither had changed much, still smiling and looking good. Ferd retired from is position of Otsego County Accessor a post he has held for a number of years.

A dear friend of both Joe and I, Al Lapp, pasted away quietly at the age of 86. He and his second wife of 14 years, Beverly lived in Laurens, NY and they were also members of St. Matthews Lutheran Church. His health was failing and he was moved to The Hampshire House, Oneonta. He was a resident for a short time before his passing. We were amazed at his military record, among which were the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman Badge. Al was Joe’s boss for 21 years at the Oneonta Job Corp. Rest in Peace Al.

My brother Harry and his wife, Molly, were very interested in Joe’s experience with his Cochlear Implant and followed his progress. They said that their granddaughter, Ellie Holtje (12) of Rochester was hearing impaired and her parents, Danny and Julie were checking out the possibilities of an implant. Molly called and said she had the operation and was now due for her first appointment following a month of healing. I should have some news soon.

Ellie is in for a wonderful surprise that day!

Speaking of Cochlear Implants, Joe and I will be heading for New York City over Saint Patrick’s Day weekend for his six-month appointment. I bought two St. Patrick’s Day T-shirts for the trip. We hope to get to visit with some our returning veterans at the Veterans Hospital in the morning before his appointment.

Thought for the Week: Spring is in the Air. . Tra-la, Tra-la