Aug.11-18, 2005 #353

When I retired for the day, I could smell the rain in the air and watched hovering clouds during the early evening. I prayed that rain would come and break the heat of the last week. When I awoke at 6:00am on Saturday, the eaves were dripping and there was 1/2" of rain in my indented lawn table. The air smelled sooo good! After a quick cup of coffee and juice, I immediately went out to do some weeding. They gave way to my efforts. GOD had answered my prayer and replenished the earth, but HE knows we need more and it will come.

I made my regular stop at Hazel McShane and found her with a big smile-she had celebrated her 93rd birthday on the 3rd! She got a lovely basket of fruit and a number of cards and calls. I thought her birthday was next week and she reminded me that she had told me that her birth certificate was made out on August 12. We had a nice visit and then I left to make a pit stop at my home before proceeding to Garrettsville to attend Florence Rood's 90th Birthday Party!

Back in 1957 when Richard and I moved to our little house on Hemlock hill, Florence and her family of 10 children lived at the top of the hill. Her hubby was not able to work so Florence raised her family pretty much alone. There was Robert, Gladys, Larry, Ruthie, Billy, Patty, Dorothy, Eddy, Mary and Mike. Florence used to walk to Rose Leone's Nursing home in Hartwick and brought bread and milk at The Risley Store and return home on foot. Each of the girls baby-sat for me over the years. She is a remarkable woman.

When I arrived, Florence was seated at a big table surrounded by family and friends. She looked bewildered. I asked her what she was thinking and she said," I am overwhelmed!" She received a number of cards, gifts and also money to spend on herself. She got a chance to see some of the grandchildren and great grandchildren, which brought tears to her eyes. Florence is now a resident of The Manor.

This coming weekend there will be a lot of excitement for Hartwick and the surrounding area. Hartwick Field Days are starting with Library Book Sale and Quilt Show taking place on Fri., 19th at the Community Center with Flea Market and Carnival Rides throughout the weekend. The Antique Tractor Pull will start at noon on Saturday, a Dog Agility Course from 1-7pm and a pie contest at 1pm. A Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull will take place on Saturday with a Parade at 6pm. ROCK BOTTOM'S Band with offer music from 7-11pm with Dusk Fireworks! On Sunday The Hartwick #1 Fire Dept. will offer a great Breakfast at the Fire Hall; 9 am-Antique Car Show to benefit Kim Thering Scholarship Fund; 10am-Carnival Rides' 12pm-Garden Tractor Pull and Chicken BBQ; 1pm-Dog Agility Course; 2pm-Barnyard BINGO; 3pm-CASH Raffle and another Kid's Pedal Tractor Pull. There will be Vendors, Game Booths and refreshments available all through the weekend. No Matter when you come to Hartwick, there will be lots to see and do. If you have any questions call John Bush at 293-7752. See you there. I always kidded Richard about the fact that the Field Days marked his birthday on the 19th. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

As always, there is good and bad news. The Discovery landed safely in California after a number of problems in space and seven Russians were rescued from near death when their submarine became entangled in fishing nets. Peter Jennings, anchorman for ABC News, died of lung cancer after being diagnosed just 4 months ago. Many have vowed to GUIT smoking in his memory. Go for it! It was a little known fact, that Peter was a Canadian high school dropout, but still became the tops in his field. He recently became a new citizen of the USA.

Nature's Scene: While enjoying my outdoor sanctuary, I heard a snort! I looked up and there was a deer at the hedgerow. It knew I was there and tried to scare me away by stomping its hoofs, but I stayed until he/she decided to go. It will be back as the apples are beginning to come down. Red and Ruby, my Cardinals, have become regulars at the feeder site and Spike and Harley come together while the gals have a coffee break. The Chickadees, Nuthatches and Finches alert me when the feeder gets low. I wonder if they have any idea that I enjoy them soo.

Tomorrow, August 15th will mark one year since I lost Irwin to a massive stroke. Somehow it seems like he has been gone longer then that. Must be I missing that handsome Irishman. . .

Natalie bought tickets to the Beach Boys and Herman's Hermits Concert for her grandson, Andy and his girlfriend. They must have had a great time because she did not see them till late in the AM. I'll catch up with her in a day or so.

Barbara Thomas had a family get-together at her home on Saturday before Betty Barnes, her friend and helper, left for a week's vacation in Las Vegas visiting her brother. Her sisters and brother-in-law, Doctor Paul King and his family were in attendance. All had a nice afternoon. She did well this week while her nurses; family and friends kept tabs on her and popped in with regularity.

Great job Barb, I am proud of you.

I went over to White House Farm on Saturday afternoon to watch Bosco, the Holtje Mascot, while they were attending a wedding in Buffalo. He was doing his job keeping an eye on things till they returned and seemed surprised when I showed up. He was reluctant to follow me on a walk, but finally did getting away from me. I got nervous when he disappeared, but soon he came up behind me. I shared dinner with him and he was content. He was very happy to see his masters when they came home.

Thought for the Week: Indeed, we do not really live unless we have friends surrounding us like a firm wall against the winds of the world.