October 2007
“WHAT’S COOKIN’?”
Marvelous Weather, My High School Reunion and What a GREAT GUY and He is our Pastor!
We have had the most wonderful Indian summer that I can remember. . The temperatures have been most comfortable during the day with them cooling off in the evening. The heavy fog in the valley seems to have protected me from a frost and Joe has experienced much the same on his higher elevation. All in all it has been so nice that no matter where I am, I will sit outside in the evening a soak it all in.
The garden that Joe and I share at his place has been most productive with tomatoes, eggplant, Swiss chard, beets and beans still offering much to enjoy. We even set out tomatoes on a lawn chair and offered them to passer byes and have gotten enough money for plants and seeds for next year. We have our strategies set down on paper and look forward to another wonderful year. Do you want some fresh tomatoes?
My church, St. Matthews Lutheran Church in Laurens (Joe is now a member) has decided to have a soup and bread get-together. On the first Tuesday of each month and this Tuesday was the first. Joe and I went laddened with lots of cherry tomatoes. We set two bowls on the table and members were popping them like candy. The remainder was distributed to those who enjoyed to take home. We plan to make a crock pot of Joe’s tomato basil soup for November get-together. Pastor Paul and his wife, Martha, were able to come, despite a busy schedule. Sandra Shear, who assists Pastor Paul also came. We all sat around the table and enjoyed Nancy and Brian Miller’s tomato soup and Ginny’s black bean and sausage soup. I also brought a carrot cake, which somehow was gone in minutes.
This month I have had the help of my sons and Joe to accomplish much overdue work at my home. Mark worked hard finishing up the insulation work in the cellar, which had been hit hard by 2006 June’s flood. It is now all cleared out, with 6 mil heavy plastic covering the new insulation overhead and the floor covered with plastic too. It was a big job. Andy did some coating on the back roof, which needs more work before winter. He also took the remaining wet boxes of “whatevers”, which he will burn with the bark from his firewood. Joe and I removed and redid the kitchen ceiling that came down due to water leaks. Mark, Joe and I removed the bad areas of the outside north exterior and replaced it. There is still some painting to do, which I hope to get done this month. Does it sound like we accomplished allot? I think so.
Patchy and Precious are now becoming friends, often playing with each other. Precious will often swat Patchy to get her attention but not to hurt her. She dashes from one room to another like a jet plane, her eyes big as saucers. She has a ritual of checking all the nocks and crannies first thing in the morning. Patchy has slowed down allot, but sometimes is like a puppy. Joe found a brush, which he is using on both animals. They both enjoy the feeling and attention. She will be 90 years old in January. They are always glad to see me come through the door.
We have put the gas blower that Joe got at a garage sale. The owner said it didn’t work and Joe got it for $3.00 and doctored it. It runs fine. We blew the leaves into a small area and bundled them in plastic bags which I took to my place and put around the building. It saved allot of heat. I admire Joe sooo because, he is so handy. He can do most anything.
Saint Matthews Lutheran Church is very active in the Laurens community and, under the direction of Corinne O’Connor (we have three Corinne’s in our church) a free dinner of tossed salad, garlic bread, baked Zitti and homemade desserts was offered to the community last Saturday evening. We all got wonderful compliments for the efforts and the stories from flood victims would break your heart. Joe and I offered our help and it was fun.
Speaking of Saint Matthews, our own Pastor Paul Messner was invited to preach for the 60th anniversary celebration of Luther Memorial Church in North Syracuse. Pastor Paul served as Associate Pastor there for 5½ years, from his ordination in 1982 until 1987 when the Messners moved to Worcester, NY. The Senior Pastor at the time was Pastor Alice Moberg-Sarver (the first woman pastor ordained in the Upstate NY Synod). Formed during the post-World War II housing boom, the congregation has grown to 1000 baptized member. They are presently served by Interim Pastor Elaine Berg. Pastor’s wife, Martha, was at his side and also enjoyed the event.
Natalie called and invited Joe and I for a roast chicken dinner. We brought mashed potatoes and tomato salad and a bag of fresh vegetables, which she really enjoys. Last week I took her a big beet, the size of a softball, and she said it lasted for three meals! For dessert, we enjoyed zucchini bread that Jeanie Briggs had made her. We ended up taking half of it home, to Joe’s delight.
My Andy’s Special Lady, Laura, just had a birthday and a busy week. She had a three day conference plus time with friends and family to celebrate. Joe and I are treating her and Andy to dinner at the China Buffet in Oneonta this weekend. We invited Natalie too for all the times she has treated us.
Guess What? The Class of 1952 of Teaneck High School in New Jersey is having their 55th Class reunion on Sunday November 7 and guess who is going? “ME”. It is a Sunday Brunch at the Clinton Inn and Motel and the menu is great. My plans are not written in stone, but I am looking forward to going. I have been in contact with friends, some of whom are going. Not sure if I will have someone to go with me. We gain and hour that weekend due to Daylight Saving Time so that is a plus.
Today (October 4) is s beautiful day and Joe has planned a target shooting time with his buddy, Dr. Neil Haynes of South Kortright. They talk about guns like I talk about gardening or cooking recipes. . . They are very good friends and they will have a good time together. I encourage him to take time and do the things he hasn’t done for a time.
I took a walk on my lunch break and sat down at the lakefront of Otsego Lake. There were only two ladies sitting at water’s edge. I anticipated it being overrun with folks. You can imagine the beauty and calmness there is. In just a few minutes I feel great and ready to go back to work. The new sitting area with benches and flowers and bushes is so lovely.
Though for the Week: Laughter is essential to our equilibrium, to our well-being, to our aliveness. If we’re not well, laughter helps us get well; if we are well, laughter helps us stay that way. Some diseases may be contagious, but none is as contagious as the cure. . . laughter. –Peter McWilliams