July 21-28,2005 #350

Delancy drove her folks, Mary Hoyt, Bill Joyce to their Cooperstown summer get away, arriving with bags and baggage after a long haul from Washington D. C. Thank GOD for the air-conditioning! All was ready for them when they arrived. Now for a day or so of relaxation and then Mary's five lady friends will arrive for their annual visit to Cooperstown. Delancy returned home but will return again with her five children to spend the summer till school starts in Washington D.C. It will no doubt be a fun filled summer for them. I can't wait to see the children who have GROWN!

"I will be in your area tomorrow, Corinne, perhaps we can get together for lunch in Cooperstown, Bill Walters, Irwin's brother-in-law said. I will call you about noon and we will go from there." I knew that he would be coming sometime this summer and was glad to hear his voice. Bill splits his time between his log cabin in Michigan and his condo in Florida. He drove all the way from Florida to Basking Ridge, NJ and then to Oneonta at which time he called for directions to my place. He arrived at 2:00PM after a little mix up.
We had missed the Sunday Brunch at the Otesaga, but settled for The Hawk Eye Grill, where we had a lovely lunch with a bottle of the Otesaga's best wine. It was quiet and comfortable and we could see Otsego Lake from our table. We got caught up on everyone and then in a blinking of an eye, we were in our cars, headed in different directions. "Come see me in Florida, if you get down" was his parting words.

It had been a hot, humid, busy day. Laura called and asked if I would like to join her and Nicky, her 75 lbs. Olive Lab, for a dip, I quickly said "YES"! She came prepared with sticks, balls and two inflatable tubes. Nicky wasted no time and he entry could have been heard all the way to Hartwick and the spray all the way back to the house. We had a BALL! Nicky chases everything and then brought it back for a repeat performance. Laura and I had a time mastering getting in and out of the tubes. If were didn't act quickly, the sticks, ball and tubes would be gone with the rush of the water. We'll do it again SOON!

The hot weather caused me a little grief when I had trouble getting the window on the driver's side to close. I had been keeping them up to avoid a wet interior when a sudden rain would arrive. I also noticed a black sticky substance on the window. My nephew, Keith Holtje, came to my aid at White House Farm, when a thunder and rain and lightning storm came. He grabbed a hold of it and pulled it up. . . With it came a mess of black, sticky glob. I made an appointment at Five Star Subaru and they took care of it. "This has happened to four other vehicles, same side, same door," the service man said. I have reported it and will keep you posted." It had something to do with a heat sensor in the door with the extreme heat it literally melted. It is fixed now for the time being.

My annual visit to Bassett Eye Clinic and Dr. Russo proved rewarding. " Your eyes are fine. You do not need new glasses and I'll see you next year," he said with a smile. That was the start of my day and I was a happy camper.

I sat in my lounge chair enjoying a cooler day. It is parked under the apple tree and the view is great. The stillness was interrupted only by the screech of a hawk and the sound of the breeze rustling through the corn, which is a least 10-foot tall. A glass of iced tea and time to read "The Bridges of Madison County". I didn't see the movie, so hence the book which I picked up at a garage sale for a couple of dollars. Out of the corner of my eye, guess what I saw? a woodchuck! So we are back to stage one and one to go.

Maria and Dick Hall, who hail from Maine, came to visit Dick's Mom, Marion Hall. I managed to catch them their last evening. I treated them at the Moo Shack. Dick and I had ice cream floats and Maria had a "Rooster Sundae"! Dick had to help her finish it. Dick did a few jobs for his Mom, but also had a chance to visit. First one was with Emery Kane, who he met at the Moo Shack. Emery talked his ear off. They visited with Dick's daughter, Missy Saddler and family in Cedarville. Her girls, Elizabeth (6mos old) and Mackenzie (6 yrs old in September) are really growing. They also went to the 60th Wedding Anniversary of Marion's sister and hubby, Aksel Pedersen in Sherburne. It was a great week, but it was toooo short.

Ever since Natalie and I mentioned the "Wine and Cheese" at the Fennimore Café Terrace, my sister-in-law, Maureen, has been anxious to go. So when do you think we went? We left Hartwick about 3:45pm last Friday! At about 4:30pm as we made our way to Cooperstown, we were hit with a terrible thunder, lightning and rainstorm. We arrived and made or way into the museum and were drenched. Our spirits were not dawned.

When we got to the terrace; however, the rain had inundated the area and slowly there was about 4 inches of water creeping its way to the back of the terrace. Some young lads were enjoying walking through it with tongs on.

The rain was fierce and hard. Travelers were snapping pictures. It was coming down so hard that the drainage was not handling it. In an hour and two glasses of wines and fruit and cheese and cracker, it was over. We enjoyed the experience and Maureen has something to tell folks when she returns home.

I came home directly after church. I had just enough time to get myself ready for a day's outing at Gilbert Lake. Andy and Laura had invited be to join the Shute family there for their family picnic. They arrived at my door about 11:00am and off we went. When we got to the site, hot dogs and burgers were already on the grill. After a bite to eat, Laura helped Andy get his boat in for a fishing experience, something he loved. When she came back we all went in swimming. It was wonderful! What a gorgeous day! The sequence repeated itself several times with time to just sit and enjoy in between. I recommend it.

Thought for the Week: Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner. . .