Corinne Pollak

“What’s Cookin’?”

End of May 2007

“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”

OLD FRIENDS, SAD NEWS & AN EMERGENCY SURGERY!

I visited the cemeteries and cleaned up some for the Memorial Weekend, as I would not be able to come to the Memorial Service. The daffodils and Hyacinths were so lovely on both Richard and Irwin’s plots. I made a little garden at each site and they looked very nice. Their lives were cut short and I wish I could bring them back, but GOD had other plans.

My brother and his wife, Maureen called and said that our mutual friends, Doc and Gail Weiner, had asked to spend some time at the farm. They would be glad to take care of Bosco, the Fort Lee, NJ mascot, while Terry and Maureen attended the wedding in Buffalo of Patrick McGrath of Cooperstown, son of his good friend, Jim and Jan. My son and his “Significant Other”, Laura, joined Doc and Gail, Terry and Maureen and Joe and I, at the White House Farm for a wonderful dinner, Terry being the chef. Maureen made her wonderful salad and Terry barbecued steaks on the grill, the first of the season and also his tasty sautéed potatoes. We miss seeing our Dad/Friend at the end of the table, but we know he was there in spirit. . . Afterwards we joined on the porch and chatted while enjoying a beautiful country evening. Andy tried his hand at fishing in the pond and we all contemplated the fate of the old horse barn across the road, which has been losing its battle with time and weather. . .

Joe and I have been helping each other out with all the outside chores like mowing and gardening. We do his on one day and then mine the next, providing it doesn’t rain. This past week we did well. Although the bugs ate us up, we managed to dismantle the metal 8X10 metal shed that came down this winter under the massive weight of snow. It seems like there were 1000 screws holding it together! Joe will add the metal panels to his collection and take it to Otsego Crushers for a few dollars. He might tackle building another building on site, but this time it will be WOOD. Metal buildings do not stand up in this snow country.

Precious, our Calico kitten is getting used to her surroundings now, even Patchy, Joe’s dog. They are slowly getting used to one another. She rests now anywhere she wants, usually under foot. She is an acrobat, almost flying to a new destination. She turns and twists her body into all kinds of positions.

Nature’s Scene: The trees have all bloomed and the grass doesn’t stop growing just because you do not have time to mow it; The gardens is doing well and you can hear the buzz of the Hummingbirds through the kitchen windows. Precious can hear them too and darts to the window to get a better look.

An email from Irwin’s nephew brought the news that his Mom, Marion Sherry of Norman, Oklahoma, had given in to a long awaited rest. The last years have been hard for her with the loss of her sight and disorientation. She was one of three sisters, all of whom are gone now-Virginia, Dorothy and now Marion. They must be having a wonderful time together in HEAVEN. . .

Not days after, two more have gone that way too. Elizabeth Bliss, long time educator and native of Hartwick and Beatrice Berger of Hartwick and Port Orange, Florida.

At least all of them went on a beautiful summer’s day. Rest in Peace.

Joe showed his ability to work on cars when he suggested that I let him fix my brakes, which I had been quoted $200.00 to repair. We bought the brakes $52.00 and, by golly, he fixed them. They work slick now.

Joe fixed his favorite coconut shrimp for supper and it was sooo good, however later in the evening, I felt an uneasiness in my stomach, which later brought about the loss of my supper and a severe coughing spell. During the night the feeling became pain and increased. By morning it was so bad that I asked Joe to take me to the hospital. I wonder about my appendix.

We arrived at 9:30am and went right to the emergency room. They were waiting. A series of tests brought the news that I had acute appendicitis, and it needed to come out NOW. The surgery didn’t take place until 7:00pm, because they didn’t have an available operating room. Last I remember was being wheeled down the hall.

The next four days were most uncomfortable, but I gave it my best shot. I was not allowed to go home because I could not pass gas or have a BM and a slight temperature persisted. Finally I was released. . Home at last where what was necessary came. THANK GOD! I am slowly getting back in shape. I even had the bonus of losing a few pounds. I am moving ever so slowly and resting often. My appetite hade not returned but it will under Joe’s care.

Thought for the Day: Listen to those inner voices and follow your instincts. If I didn’t, I might not have been alive today.