Aug. 18-25, 2005 #354

I got to White House Farm about 3:00pm expecting Boscoe, my brother's dog, to bark at me as he usually does, but I heard nothing. I opened the door and there he lay on the floor with the saddest look on his face. His masters had left to attend a wedding in Buffalo and I offered to dog sit for them. I stroked him, but he did not respond. I said," Boscoe do you want to go for a walk?" His tail wagged and I opened the door, but he did not move. He finally went out when I clapped my hand on my leg. I walked down the pathway, but he did not follow. I had already gone to the end of the yard, but no Boscoe. I decided that he was missing his masters and he thought he should stay there and protect the place and that is what he was doing. Boscoe did finally follow me and we walked some distance when he disappeared. I was nervous, as I had no idea when he might have gone. Neighbors, Lumpy and Ellen said not to worry, he will come and he did. I was happy. He slept on their bed and did not move, while I slept in my Dad bedroom. Brought back memories. He was one happy dog, when his masters returned the next day.

I picked the last of the beautiful Flocks, a few Corn Flowers, Queen Anne's lace and Hosta blooms for church. I always bring flowers on Sunday morning. Anna Risley gave me some roots just before she passed away years ago and every year they bloom and multiply, bringing back to mind Anna and Ford. The fragrance was unbelievable, filling the church with their memory..

Brook's parking lot was EMPTY except for Gerald's Red 4X4! Both of us forgot that they were closed on Monday. A quick revamping of his plans took us to Friendly's for dinner. He hails from Seward and decided that we should meet for dinner. It was very good, but a lot of food. Neither one of us had room for a Happy Ending Sundae, so we he gave them to me to share with someone-Natalie? It was a very nice and time went fast. "We will be talking" was stated as we went our separate ways.

Wendy got off work early on Friday and so I moseyed up to Rome and got there about 4:30pm. It was the beginning of a great weekend. A call came from hubby, Ken, who said, "Come on over to the Stanwix Men's Club and I'll treat you to dinner". Wendy likes my little Subaru and I let her drive. They were already busy when we arrived and shortly after my grandson, Kenny, came and joined us. He didn't stay long as he was helping Sarah, his girlfriend, set up for her graduation party the next day. Ken took a ride on his Harley and Wendy and I went to Walmart's, Michael's, (a great craft place) and Bath & Body!!! It was fun and we didn't spend hardly anything. It was home to bed, a slumber party for Wendy and I.

The bedroom is in the back of the house and surrounded by trees and oh so quiet. We slept till 9:30am! I have never done that! Then Ken said the power was off and it was actually 10:15am. It had RAINED! We scurried around, as we had to make a stop to pick up some photos. Wendy's collogue for Sarah, needed to be finished..

It was a beautiful day and it soon got hot and humid, as if it hadn't rained at all. Sarah is a gifted artist and had a lot of her finished pieces on display. She will pursue an art career. I meet a lot of new folks, which is always fun and headed home after the party, vowing to see them all again.

Wendy shared with me that her girlfriend was having a hard pregnancy. A baby shower was planned for the next day, but complications arose. She was admitted to the hospital and Saturday afternoon a 4-1/2 lb baby boy was taken by caesarian section. Say a little prayer for this new little life.

I stopped at the Hartwick Field Days on the way home and enjoyed the music, the smell of food, but could not eat a thing after all I ate at Sarah's party. Many a lot of folks I knew and caught Barbara Potter and Frederica Hornbeck as they caught a little break. They, like many Hartwickians, were going nonstop. From all reports, the event whole weekend was a screaming success. GREAT!

I got reacquainted with a former customer of mine this week. I recalled his face, but didn't know his name. We had quite a visit and we learned a lot about each other. He all but rebuilt his home on top of a beautiful hillside nearby. I would call him a Jack-of-all-Trades. I headed home with a bag of his homegrown tomatoes.

Keith Holtje spend several days installing new windows in the front of White House Farm. He is a great carpenter and did a wonderful job. I would like to have him around for a week!

Carol Neidselaknowski is now a resident of The Manor! Isn't that wonderful. She will continue with rehab there and will be close to family and friends. Drop her a line and let her know you are thinking of her.

Just spoke with Natalie. She is back from a quick trip to Connecticut. I forgot to tell you that we went to the Wine & Cheese on the Fennimore Museum Terrace last week and got a surprise. Due to a private party, we were seated on a raised area that overlooked everything. The waiters were great. Carla Eckler came to see if everything she was tickled to meet Natalie and I. She is a real fan of What's Cookin'? As usual it was delightful.

Thought for the Week: A friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.

PS- Don't forget you can reach me at 607-293-7769 or cory13us@yahoo.com.