Mid May 2007

“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”

Dinner with Natalie, Mother’s Day Surprise,

Emery Kane Cracks & Mary is Gone

Natalie is back and has been very busy doing some renovations. She called saying, “Come on over, bring a salad, you are invited to dinner,” she said. Sooo, I made a spinach salad with onion and romaine lettuce and got a bag of our green beans from the freezer. When we got there the landscape man was there mowing the lawns and the scent of the fresh cut grass permeated the grounds. We enjoyed a glass of wine, Joe barbecued the steaks and we then sat and listened to Natalie tell of her adventures on her travels. She added that her daughter, Maureen, who had broken both wrists, was doing well and back to work. Later, Bob Covert, a good friend, stopped by. He brought some more bad news.

Emery Kane, a neighbor who lived on Route 11 behind me, he torched his wife’s home and barn and sat on the porch with gun in hand and did not allow anyone to help put it out. The fire was spreading. He soon shot himself. Many years ago he fell five stories on a construction site and had severe head injuries. He never really came back. He needed help and no one seemed to be able to undo the damage. He is at peace now.

Pastor Paul’s Mother’s Day message on Love was wonderful and coffee hour was tasty with a variety of goodies. All the Mothers were given tiny potted begonias. I got a few extra that were looking for homes. I plants pots when I got home and will give Wendy one when we go up next week. What a wonderful day. I pray yours was too. Drop me a line and tell me about yours.

We stopped by Andy and Laura’s and found them busy. Andy was mowing and Laura was checking her new chickens. She has names for all of them. Andy stopped and took us down to see the new residents-three good sized young pigs. They were busy running back and forth in the summer house! They come up to the fence and say hello. They work hard to keep the place looking nice. Andy planted 36 Peonies plants the day before. They make a great couple. Andy ushered me to the picnic table where he had displayed a variety of flower plants, which I had admired when we arrived.” These are for you Ma, HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY, he said as he hugged and kissed me. I am very proud of him.

It was a beautiful Mother’s Day, warmer and the sunshine felt good. It was a great day for a SURPRISE! I was on my knees weeding the flowerbed and Joe was buzzing around on the lawnmower, when I heard a motorcycle slowing down behind me. It was my daughter, Wendy and hubby, Ken, on his 1976 Harley Davidson Sportster! They were a vision in Black and Chrome. They wore the Harley Davidson black leather and the bike was a shiny black and chrome Harley. It had been a long time since I had seen them and I couldn’t wait to give them both a big hug and kiss. Wendy said that they had decided to make a special trip up to wish me HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY. They were introduced to

Precious, our new little kitty and Patchy made her presence known too. I gave them a tour of the gardens, which really looked great and soon Ken and Joe were talking guns. I was so proud. It was a short visit, but special and in parting, I said that I had received a lovely Mother’s Day her from their son, Kenny, MY GRANDSON, which I thought was great. “We will see you next week at the Annual Scholarship fund raising event the Stanwix Men’s and Veteran’s Club,” I said as they drove out of the drive way”.

We worked for an hour or so more and then came in to get ready for a treat, Mother’s Day dinner at Portabella’s in Fly Creek. We were given a gift certificate by my youngest brother when we got married, but never had the opportunity to use it as Irwin’s help deteriorated. It was forgotten and then came to mind several months ago. I had no idea where it was. I guess my thinking about it, brought about its discovery, in one of Irwin’s suit jackets that I planed to give away. What a nice surprise. I told Joe that I was taking him out for Mother’s Day, which brought a big smile.

We were down right hungry when we got there. We had a glass of their house white sine and toasted the day. I ordered their Crab Cakes (Irwin’s favorite) and Joe ordered a Mussel/Shrimp dish. Wendy, our waitress, brought a wonderful, young, greens salad with hot bacon dressing and warm rolls, which just melted in our mouth. Our entrées sooo good that we wished there was more. They were enjoying a evenly busy evening and it was quiet and pleasant. We forwent the dessert as I had a surprise at home. Joe really enjoyed his first visit to Portabella’s.

An early morning call from my sister-in-law, Maureen, brought the news that her Mon, Mary Porto, 88, had passed away on Mother’s Day with family in attendance. Her health was not good and Hospice was there. She had been blind for some time and it had a devastating effect on her well being. Then cancer stepped in. Joe and I went down, leaving early and returning the same day. The funeral parlor was filled with long time family and friends and there were many beautiful flower pieces that filled the rooms, which showed the beauty that this Mom gave to her family and friends. Good bye for now, Mary.

The weather has been sooo changeable. The warm sunshine and pleasant breezes changed to heavy rain, wind and cold temperatures. I covered all I could in anticipation of frost, but we didn’t get it, probably due to the rain. I am not giving up. I know the sunshine will return.

Precious is doing well. She is like a dive bomber. She literally flies through the room, up, down and through. . . We truly enjoy her. She can find fun in playing with a little twist-tie or a piece of paper. Now she goes right in her travel carrier when she wants to go out and WATCH the birds. I dare not let her loose outside. .

Joe is hearing better everyday, still hearing sounds that he hasn’t experienced before. Sometimes, he takes his processor off as the background noise gets too much.

Well, folks that is all for now. I’ll catch you next week. Like my husband Richard used to say. “Live one day at a time and make it a masterpiece.”

Thought for the Week: GOD sends the brilliant light of a rainbow to remind us of His presence.- Verdell Davis