June 16-23, 2005 #345

The hot humid weather was doing everyone in and relief finally came Monday night in the form of a thunder and lightning storm. It was continuous rain and thunder with the lightning cracked all night, lightning lit up the sky and my bedroom. I can't remember ever experiencing that. Needless to say, sleep did not come easy, but I awoke refreshed with the smell of rain and earth coming in my window.

All was calm and quiet the next morning like it never happening. All the birds were feeding and the two baby woodchucks were out exploring just a little further into the driveway. I do not frighten them they accept me into their world and them in mine.

The rain freshen everything up. Sunflower shoots sprung up under the feeder and my Peonies had three open blooms. It was a good morning.

Andy and Laura have been busy planting their garden. Laura has been carting water every night and watering the seedlings and plants. Then there is always the lawn to cut. Andy project has been, putting a steel roof on his hog pen, hard work after a full day of work on hot days. Dinner is late and they go to bed tired. I am proud of them and think back when I did the same thing when my family was growing up. Laura suggested that they do a little fishing at Gilbert Lake and have a picnic and I was invited along and it was good for all of us.

I took off for the cemeteries to water the planters and then shot over the Haggerty ACE Hardware, where I always find what I need for my projects. Today was a special day, as I would finally get to meet one of my readers- Marty Helfand of Richfield Springs and Englewood, Florida. We started emailing each other and then one came that said, "Elliot and I are going to the Bridge luncheon at the Otesaga at 1:00pm and I wondered if we could meet somewhere. I'll be wearing a black outfit with white polka dots!" I replied and said I would meet her in the lobby and we did. She knew me without having meet me. The first thing she did was to give me a box of homemade chocolate cookies! I was smitten! "I hope you like them." She said with a lovely bright smile. From then on we talked about everything. We shared the losses and the bounties, our families and friends and were happy we met. This will not be the last meeting. Marty said I have to return the cookie box so that she could refill it! All the time we chatted, her, hubby, Elliot was playing bridge. When the games were over, Marty said, "I thought you'd win at least three dollars," It was all in fun. PS-I nibbled on the cookies on the way home, as I hadn't eaten lunch and then polished them off that night.

On my way home I stopped in The Manor to see some old friends. I found Florence Rood fast asleep in her wheelchair, which was parked in the Chapel. Bruce Mack and Gil Anderson were providing a Flag Day program of all the patriotic songs. The attendant said to wake her, but I was reluctant. She did, however awake. I chatted and walked back to her room with her. She shared with me that her daughter, Mary Bush, who works at the Manor, had had foot surgery and wouldn't be back right away. She sure does miss her visits. I stopped to see Mary on the way home and she is doing well, but it has been hard for her and she also has concerns about her Mom.

I also saw retired Judge Ted Smith, who was in the hall chatted with a kitchen aid. He was wearing a pair of light summer plaid slacks just like pair Irwin had. I said that he looked like he was going to play golf and he replied that he wished he was. . .

Twice during the week, I worked outside in the morning while it was cool and then in the afternoon I worked inside. About 3:00pm I got my walking stick and water shoes and headed for the creek. I would have taken the golf cart, but I forgot to turn the key off and I lost a full charge. It now sits in the shed deader then a doornail. I found my deep pool and slipped under the water. I could feel the heat escaping out of my body. Tiny fish nibbled at my toes and the birds chirped at my arrival as if to say, "Welcome to our World". Oh, it felt so good and made me feel like a kid again.

The dandelions have left my lawn and now buttercups and clover take their place. It is so thick that, when I cut it, I have to rake the cuttings up and so my compost pile is growing. On Friday, I started early to dig up the weeds that had grown into trees and added even more to the PILE! I was real pleased with myself. I am far from done, but I made a good start. As I rounded the corner to the backyard, I noticed a creeping vine had grown quite high and as I pushed some aside, I noticed a hole under the siding and then another. I now have a woodchuck under my bathroom. He must think I have a free motel here. It makes me nervous.

On the 17th, I hitched a ride from Jeff Hahn and he had already picked up Pat Hulbert. We were headed for Seward where we would attend the Memorial Service for Bob Ash, Pastor Lynn Ash's hubby, who passed away after a long illness. Pastor Lynn comforted me during and after the death of my Richard and then officiated at my marriage to Irwin Curlis. She is a great gal and I waited to be there for her and pay our last respects to Bob.

It was held at Zion St. John's Lutheran Church, a beautiful old church. The church has five teachers in the congregation, who are truly musically gifted and Bob would have enjoyed the music and the loving comments of his family. It was a beautiful service. After the service, all were invited to a buffet, for which everyone had brought something pass and there was so much food, they could have had a later service. Give my love to Richard and Irwin, Bob. Rest in Peace.

I just got a call from Terry, who said, "We are here. Come for supper!" So I thought, I'll cut a little grass, while waiting for Bets and BIG Ed Flemming from Connecticut and her sister, Jayne from Afton, to stop by. You may remember that Bets was going to her first Hartwick High School reunion, which was being held at the Community Hall today. Sat., June 18. I hope she will be able to stop by.

PS- Hope all you DADS had a GREAT FATHER"S DAY!

Thought for the Week: A smile is the window of the soul indicating the heart is home.