Sept.1-8, 2005

I had a couple of hours after work before I was to meet, Larry, a new friend from Fort Plains, at the Otesaga for dinner. I was excited. I love that place, with all its history and beauty. In the meantime, I decided to visit Bill and Mary Joyce. This timing was perfect, because they would be headed back to Washington D. C. over the Labor Day weekend.

George, one of the grandchildren, met me as I entered. "I hung a sign out there- Don't come in- "Bees"! he said excitedly with an expression of concern on his face. A swarm of bees had come earlier in the day and taken up residence in the upper portion of the front entry. I was safely inside.

"Is that you, Corinne?" said Mary from the kitchen. When she reached me she added to George's rendition that she had already summoned help and they would be coming soon to take care of the situation. I shuttered at the thought that I might had been attacked and would have missed my dinner date. Now that would have been a story to tell

As it turned out, Larry and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner in The Hawk Eye and then enjoyed the music on the terrace and dancing downstairs, where there is music every evening starting at 7:00pm. We ran the gamut. I am sure he will be able to help me with some research in the near future concerning the resting place of my grade school teacher from Teaneck, NJ and retired in Fort Plain. The time passed quickly in a couple of hours and we both went our separate ways. Tomorrow I leave for Cape Cod to visit dear friends, Joe and Marianne Miles, a new adventure for me alone.

I was up early and on my way. I had a new sense of intent and after stopping to fill up with gas ($2.57 a gallon!) I was off and running. It was a beautiful day and there was little traffic to deal with. The first pit-stop was the Guilderland Rest Stop outside of Albany. I stopped at a rest stop on the Massachusetts Turnpike to relieve my "touché!" and have a sandwich and iced tea, which I brought in a cooler.

At one point, I noticed a Blue Subaru 4x4 traveling the same route. It looked just like Natalie, but I knew she was home recuperating from her visit to Bassett. It was comforting to see it and I almost made me feel that she was traveling with me.

I arrived right on schedule. Joe and Marianne were waiting for me. It took just six hours. I big hug and kiss fit the bill. The next few days were spent swimming in the clear, warm waters of Chapin and Mayflower Beaches during the day and walking them in the evening. Marianne shopped daily for groceries and prepared lovely mid day dinners. She treated me like royalty and I had trouble even being able the help her. ALWAYS, in the evening-chocolate cake or ice cream (Joe's favorite) followed later by a fresh fruit salad before bedtime was on the agenda. We will know the outcome of Joe's bone marrow cancer on September 9. Please add him to your prayer list.

During our mid day meal in the sunroom, we would watch the squirrels and chipmunks romp and play about the back yard. They would chase each other up and down and in and out the woodpile. Marianne would get upset when she found what appeared to be a perfect tomato on the lawn only to find the bottom eaten out. They had better not mess with Marianne.

The news reported frequently on the progress of Katrina, the devastating hurricane heading for the Gulf Coast. I pray it turns away. We watched with interest in the days that followed.

It seems the times just flew by and Monday came in just what appeared to be hours. Marianne prepared a wonderful breakfast and fixed a cooler of fruit, cheese and beverage for my trip home. We had a tearful Good-bye. "Do you have everything, Corinne?" she said. I replied that I thought so and off we went. I followed Joe and Marianne to the junction that took me to #495 and home.

I had a surprise visitor on the weekend- Jack Berger from Port Orange, Florida. He looks great! We sat and visited for a time. He had attended his class reunion from Norwich High and stayed with one of his son's. He is also has a new grandson-Zackery. He and Bea was the original Berger Bunch, as between them they raised a baseball team . . .and now are experiencing an overflow . . . Before I knew it, he was gone.

"Milford" Joe emailed me that he would put on the new blades to my lawnmower, which I bent when I got hung up on the remainder of the metal post in the ground from the downed cloths line pole. I put a walking stick in it so this wouldn't happen and then unconsciously took it out. What can I tell you-I am my own worse enemy.

I fixed a nice breakfast and we worked all day. He said he was working the breakfast off. We filled in all the woodchuck holes with the dirt we dug out of the barn doorway. Now I can get the lawnmower in and out easily. Even had enough to make another flower/veggie bed. We put two railroad tiles in place as a nice edge. He is sooo handy. I could keep him busy for weeks. He says just feed me! Thanks, Joe

My brother, Terry called and invited me to dinner and when I told him I had company and he said bring him along. Joe said, "Great, I have nowhere to go". It was fun. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time.

Terry said as we left that he had planned 100th birthday party in memory of our Dad on Sunday at 2:00PM and guess who he invited? Joe. He was tickled. He was getting a crash course on my family and friends. My daughter, Wendy and hubby, Kenny, drove down on the Harley and that was special. Daddy would have loved it-plenty to eat and drink with one special act. Terry made a pitcher of Manhattans had poured shot glasses full to those who wanted to join in a toast to the GREATEST DAD EVER. Salute'

Daddy had said he wanted us to have a party to celebrate his 100th birthday whether he was here or not. He also wanted to hear Willard Scott announce it on TV. That didn't happen but the party did. Happy Birthday, Daddy, We love you and miss you.

Natalie's daughter, Teresa, and her "Troops" arrived for the holiday weekend; Barb Thomas is holding her own and Hazel McShane, 93, is planning a trip to Jamaica! Katrina hit the Gulf Coast with a vengeance and the devastation is mind-boggling. Death and destruction everywhere and that will not be the end of it. Pray hard for those effected and we all know someone there. Everyone will be affected. If you can send a donation to Salvation Army or Red Cross.

PS-Marianne called and said she was sending my white sweater tomorrow!

Thought for the Week: Greet friends with open hearts and minds.