Fall Rush, A Treat, the “Bunchs” Arrive & “Precious” is PRECIOUS!

It is about 6:30am. It is dark and gloomy and I am awaiting the beginning of yet another day. As I look out my window, a dark, gray blue, cloud moves slowly across the sky, much like a huge spaceship hovering over the land. It will, no doubt, ring in cold temperatures and there will be no sunshine today.

Yesterday Joe and I headed for my place to hopefully finish the chores at my house. Mark had taken Bernie Bus and arrived shortly after we did. Soon the paint, brushes, rollers and ladder were is place and after some discussion, we each had a job to do. The painting went well and, except for a few small tasks, the painting was done. The dark Chocolate stain looks so nice with the freshly painted white window trim. I thanked GOD many, many times for the extra warm and sunny days.

While Mark painted the edges at the top and bottom of the Texture 111 and filled in the spaces, Joe used the long handled roller and spread the paint on the larger areas up above. I painted around the windows. What a difference a fresh coat of paint is. I am soo pleased.

I am getting ready to take my weekend trip to New Jersey, where I will visit and stay with Walter and Elfie Kunzel at their home in Danville, NJ. I hope also to visit Betty Stermensky in Waldwick and then Ed and Ethel Tellefsen in Allendale. It will be a miracle if I actually do all of it. Joe decided to stay home and get some of his chores done. I will be on the run most of the time, and he doesn’t do well with that.

We finished cleaning up the garden. Joe pulled all the brussel sprouts plants. I cleaned, blanched/cooled the sprouts and put most of them in the freezer, keeping out some for the refrigerator to have with dinner or homemade soup. The Swiss chard and beets are still hardy. We’ll have some Swiss chard tonight with roast chicken and mashed potatoes.

Louis and Rosette Bunch are up for a week and Natalie called and invited Joe and I to join them for dinner. Rosetta and she prepared a lovely Spinach salad and spaghetti dinner. Natalie was waiting for my apple pie and we later had it. It was GREAT and all enjoyed. We didn’t stay long as I had an early appointment the next day.

The drive home was extremely dark. It was cold and overcast, so there were so stars to lead the way. A wind blew the leaves across the road and gave an eerie feel to the ride. As we came down the hill into Hartwick, we could see the streetlights down Main St. We tooted to say hello to Andy and Laura as we rounded our way onto Route 205 from Route 11. It was the end of another lovely visit with good friends.

Laura Shute had a birthday a week or more ago and I soo wanted to treat her, Andy and Natalie to the China Buffet. It finally came together that next weekend. We got there a little earlier then usual and it proved to pay off. We got there just as all the hot trays of prepared dishes were put in the buffet with all the seafood favorites. Needless to say there was silence as each of us returned to the table and enjoyed.

A few frosts hit the area, I had it but Joe’s place was still protected by the usual dense fog. All the potted flowers were put in the cellar for the winter. I nearly forgot the Amaryllis and retrieved them from their cool, dark rest in the cellar. All the lawn furniture was cleaned and put away too. Now, with the cold winter of the approaching winter months, we wait for it to show its face.

We were up early and on our way to the VA Hospital in Albany via the Otsego County Veterans’ van. With the price of gas, it is much appreciated. We had a full van with eight aboard, each with a different place to go. . . We were running a little late because the veterans were from all over the county.

Joe had not eaten for 24 hours and was hungry but managed to hold his own. They were waiting for him the Nuclear Medicine, where he would have his stress test. Some concerns were present and this test would show if the chest pains he was having, were serious. After the first series of pictures, he was able to eat and he did! Despite a full van of vets, all were done and we were able to leave early.

The phone was ringing when we got back to Joe’s and I caught it on the last ring. It was Joe’s Prime care doctor, Doctor De in Bainbridge. “I got a call from Albany and Joe tested positive on his stress test. I am ordering another medicine for him and also want him to carry the Nitro to use when chest pain comes,” he said anxiously. You will get a call for an appointment with a cardiologist Monday. Please follow my instructions.” This news brought much concern to both Joe and I and we are dealing with it the best way we can. We now wait for communication from the Albany VA. Needless to say, Joe did not go deer hunting on the next day, which was opening day. He was disappointed.

Joe’s sons all got their deer and they were happy.

My Andy and Laura have had some poor times. Their Beagle, who would have been 15 in January, had to be put to sleep. For more then a week she was not herself. They vet said the problem was that her kidneys were not functioning. He did what he could and the final decision came from Andy-“I don’t want her to suffer anymore.”

Laura has been having a lot of trouble with her back. It all boiled down to pain meds, rest, no lifting. She has been out of work now for five weeks. We are all hoping that she will do better soon.

Thought for the Week: Look deep within yourself when those tough times come. Call upon this extra strength and it will come to you. You will be surprised.

PS- Precious had her first experience with snow. We have been letting her outside before she eats and she has been coming back when we call. This morning she ventured out in the snow, shaking each foot as she went. We do enjoy her so much.