Late April 2007

“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”

Pig Hoptel Repairs, Purple Tulips & Natalie is BACK!

It was wonderful to experience the warm spring weather as we drove to Manhattan for Joe’s first three-month evaluation on April 23^rd. His Cochlear Implant surgery was on Dec. 14 of last year, and needless to say, the change has been remarkable.

The sun was out and the skies were blue and there were many travelers besides the number of troopers who were patrolling the highways. We were very careful not to break the rules, because they were catching many drivers off guard.

We did not have time to visit Joe’s sister and brother this time and went directly to the Staten Island Park & Ride. Although there were a number of cars, we did find a place to park. We caught the #1 bus and in a little over an hour we were walking the few blocks to the VA Hospital on 23^rd and First Ave. The flowerbeds at the entrance were beautiful and welcomed us with the scent of purple tulips.

Morning came fast and after a quick cup of coffee and a bagel and cream cheese, we walked the few blocks to the center. On every block there is a vendor selling fresh fruit or coffee, bagels, Danish and all kinds of donuts. I would love to sit down in the park and watch the people going to work, exercise, walk the dog etc. You can see the world in their faces. Our appointment was a 1½ later then I thought, so we sat and visited with other folks who had come for appointments. Families with children are numerous, a few children who were deaf at birth are now, like Joe, able to hear..

Betsy Bromberg, Joe’s audiologist, greeted us with a smile and ushered us into a special room where she tested Joe’s hearing. She made a few adjustments during the extensive session, following which she remarked, “You have done wonderfully Joe. I am very pleased. Your next appointment will be in three months.” We were elated. We thanked her and scurried out the door, as her next client was here. She is booked six months in advance. Joe is blessed, truly blessed. It didn’t take long for us to get back to the car and head back home. Joe doesn’t like the city.

In the months that we have been going down to Manhattan, we have meet many wonderful people who seems to realize the excitement if Joe’s experience with hearing again after so long. We have also missed a few that have moved on in their careers since we started coming. We would have liked Romoma, in the travel office and Dr. Lee, Joe’s anesthesiologist to see the finished results. .

Joe has been talking about getting a kitten, as you know, and Saturday he decided he was going to get the Calico one he had been looking at. We went down to the SPCA in Cooperstown and picked her up. She cried all the way to the house and we knew she was frightened. A little tender loving care, and fell right into place with Patchy dog approving of his new pal. In the days that followed, she proceeded to investigate every nook and cranny, darting in all directions at once. She got into the houseplants and found fun played with everything. She slept during the day and played during the night. Her name is Precious.

I got a phone call from Irwin’s brother, Warren, who lives in Salt Lake City, Utah. He has not been up to par lately and wanted to let me know he is feeling much better and looking forward to a trip to his favorite place-Cooperstown. He is not sure when he will be coming, but it will be in the near future.

An email from Marge and Jack Wallace related that they would be in New York in a day or so and to stop by and see their new house on Bunn Hill. They will be painting this month! It is planted in a beautiful spot and I can’t wait to see it and them.

Joe and I stopped at Andy’s after church Sunday to find him working on replaced bad wood in his pig hoptel. The pigs don’t know how good they have it-Sun parlor, gym, running water, kitchen and bedroom. He is hoping to have three this year. It is a lot of work but he and Laura love it. She has chickens and they have three cats and two dogs too. They love their pets and environment.

Natures Scene: Nature is alive and well. The earth is releasing the fragrance of spring-moisten soil, fresh rain, clean air and blooming trees and flowers. It is wonderful. We have seen woodchucks, birds of all varieties, tiny scampering chipmunks, squirrels and evidence of skunks! Last year’s pansies are blooming and I picked a bouquet of Daffodils!

Gas prices have risen to near or over $3.00 here and no one is happy. We can all make a decision not to buy gas on May 15 as a nation wide effort to bring the prices down Let’s do it. DO NOT BUY GAS ON MAY 15. . .

“I’m back”, was the message on the answering machine. It was Natalie. Halleluiah! I returned her call and before I knew it, Joe and I were having Natalie’s Pork and Lentil Soup at her White House on the Hill. She looks wonderful. The three of us talked nonstop while enjoying her efforts. The time went fast and many plans were made, hers and mine and ours. She is really putting the law down and encouraging me in my writing. I hope I can live up to her thoughts. She is right. I am going in too many different directions. Before we left, Joe had agreed to make a few Bluebird houses. She will be in touch to get me on the right path. Thanks for a lovely evening.

Thought for the Week: Nothing taken for granted; everything received with gratitude and everything passed on with grace-G.K. Chesterton.

PS- Natlaie had a surprise visitor, who took her to the Otesaga for their Sunday Brunch. Claire Kepner stopped by in the afternoon to catch up on all the news.