June 9-16,2005#344

My son, Mark and I meet at the Oneonta Bus Lines on Orchard Ave., where we were scheduled to take a bus trip in an air-conditioned coach with the Cornell Cooperative Extension to the Adirondack Animal Land in Fulton County.

Due to the construction on Oneida St., the driver picked up I-88 into Cooperstown, where we picked up a contingent of families at the extension office.

The parking lot was a hub of activity with a plant sale, Chinese auction and a raffle. I didn't have much time to check things out as Rich McCaffery hollered to me to "Get on Board".

A short time into the trip, folks began nibbling on their picnic lunches and so then did we, with Mark as a front-runner. It was a wonderful 11/2 hrs ride through some beautiful country on a beautiful day. I took notice to the number of churches that dotted the route and the fragrant wild purple/white that were everywhere. We coaxed the driver to stop at one of the many garage sales, but he COULDN'T HEAR US!

The family owned attraction; "The Best Kept Secret in Fulton County!" encompassed 45 acres and had 400 animals. It was very clean and animals were well tended to. A tractor ride took us around the park and there were live shows that were instructional. A large gift shop offered many reasonably priced souvenirs. It was a good day. If you have a family, you might want to check this site out.

On Sunday morning Andy, Laura, Natalie and myself decided to go to the Hartwick #1 Fire Hall breakfast and GIGANTIC Towel, Linen and Tool Sale. If you were traveling into Hartwick, you could not help but see the signs that were everywhere. It took the firemen 4 hours to put them up. John Bush said the three-day sale was getting great revues and profit for the fire company. Natalie got there first and got the tickets, which she said she wanted to treat. Everything was good and there was plenty to eat.

I had a nice visit with Harriet Harper at the firemen's breakfast. She was the cashier that morning. She is doing OK, but is lonesome, which goes along with losing a spouse. You just have to be busy and she is working on that. If you live near her, pop in and say "Hi" or call and I will do the same.

The morning of the storm, Monday the 6th, I was sitting in the Dr. Lado's at 8:40am having a crown done and I was nervous. Little did I know that I would be even more nervous early that afternoon? When I was finished I asked Bill's wife, Bonnie, who I have known since she was a tot, if her folks might be home. I had a free hour and could visit. She called and her Dad, Jack Bresee, said "Come on over". I had not seen them since Irwin and I were married last August 30th.

I drove to 8 Taft Ave., for the first time since the early 60's, when I worked for Jack at Beb Products. He had an office in the garage office behind this house and there I would process the mail, pack the orders a then get them to the post office and if there was time, I could work in Jack's gift shop-The Golden Rooster. At any rate, Janet hadn't come home yet and Jack had an appointment in an hour, which we made short order of in our reminiscing. The grand piano was still a part of the lovely home and a remodeled garage showed no signs of the office that once was there. They added a large pleasant sitting area behind the house, which was quiet and lovely. Jack shared memories of their trip to England this year and up dates on the family. Time passes quickly then and now. It was a lovely visit. I will have to return to see Janet, who is still a very, very busy lady.

I called Preferred Mutual in New Berlin, which holds my Home Owners' policy. Despite the onslaught of claims, I was handled with care and politeness. I am anxious to get started and the first step was to see the adjuster. He was at my door that very evening. I called Dav Barker, a friend that Andy recommended and he stopped by on the way to his Dad's farm in Mt. Vision to hay it till dark. He will do the job and I am a happy camper.

It took a day to find my blue 30-gallon garbage can. It was lodged in the bottom of one of my Scotch pines, 50 foot away. I couldn't see it until I was right on top of it. I imagined it flying across the sky to who knows where. I repotted my damaged plants and babied them and now they are recovering nicely. Like most living things, a little loving goes a long ways. I have to replace my cloths line pole, birdbath and a birdfeeder in the weeks to come and then I should be in good shape again.

I alerted my brother that I had checked the farm and all was well. He was glad to hear that. He will be here for a brief visit and we will catch up.. I'll see him Thursday for dinner and by then I will have the hanging baskets and planter done for him. Here it is heading deep into June and things are popping.

Natalie Fisher's power was off till Tuesday night and things had come to the point that I invited her to my place to take a shower and have a bite to eat. She said she had been invited to dinner at McBrearty's. As it turned out, just as she was leaving to come, the power came on and she got so excited that she forgot to call. She took her SHOWER and went to McBrearty's for dinner. It was a great evening. She shared with me that Judy had had double pneumonia and had an appointment the next day.

I helped my son, Mark, move his belongs from a garage where they have been stored since a fire and plumbing problems damaged a couple of apartments. Fortunately, he found another apartment and his first week was without power for six days during that HOT spell!

Nature's Scene- I have not seen the woodchucks and rabbits. They must have taken off trying to avoid paying the rent! (Ha). The Swallows and Bluebirds are at peace. I did not see much of them for a few days, but now I see the both have nests building. My plants have nearly recovered from their bout with Monday's storm, but sudden winds on subsequent days did rattled their cages..

Thought for the Week: Learn from yesterday, live for today and hope for tomorrow.

PS- The woodchucks are not gone! One little head peeked out this morning.

The day after the adjuster came; a wind took off shingles on the other side of the original damage. The hot, windy weather continues.