Sept. 8-15, 2005 #357

WHAT’S COOKIN’?

“I want you to have a birthday party for me just like this one on my 100th birthday!” Daddy told us. At that time we were all enjoying his 80th party at White House Farm back in 1985. Needless to say, we did have a party in his memory on his exact birthday, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2005. Had he lived, he would have had a great time. This year I had the opportunity to enjoy be part of the celebration. For the first time in 9 years, I was not active in working for the Jerry Lewis MS Telethon at the Elk's Club in Oneonta. This activity stemmed from the lost of my first husband, who died of Lou Gehrig’s Disease. I want to thank all those businesses who donated in during my absence this year..

We also remembered my late husband, Irwin Curlis, who would have been 89 this year. He and and my Dad were buddies and enjoyed a 4:00pm Manhattan on the front porch of White House Farm many, many times. I miss them in my life.

Long time friends, Doc and Gail from New Jersey were there with their little white dog. Doc, a podiatrist, always came and took care of Daddy’s feet and monitored his blood pressure and Dad thought a lot of him. Doc’s health has not been good, but he is doing better now.

Tom and Julie Polulech and son, Nicholas, brought their 5 month-old black Lab puppy. I caught the puppy licking an empty Budweiser Beer can and got a picture. It was so cute! Both Nicholas and the puppy were a special attraction. Nicholas is a bundle of energy and did not stop for hours. Julie and Tom have to be on their toes to keep up with this bundle of energy. Tom is a top-notch plumber and avid hunter. Julie is also a hunter, dog trainer, runs a kennel at their home in what once was a One Room School house on #205 north of the village. Julie has an unbeleiveable artistic talent. You should see her paintings of wild life! They make a great team.

Joe Stepp, formally of Laurens and now living in Florida with his bride of just a month, shared with me the story of "What Happened to Joe?" Forty years ago, Joe and Susan Hansen were sweethearts. Then the Army claimed him and they drifted apart. Each went their separate ways and suddenly there she was in his life again, reunited by chance. I love Happy Ending’s (Ice Cream Sundaes), even at Friendly’s.

A former customer of our Country Kitchen and I got reaccquainted recently and he has been stopping by. I was fussing with my lawnmower, he offered to put new blades on for me and even cut the lawn. I was appreciative and offered to fix a nice lunch for him. We sat outside and enjoyed the setting. Later he said he had been watching a number of bees attack a Hummingbird that had come to close to their sweets. He added that it finally flew off to safety-I thought that unusual. On his recent visit I was given a BIG bag of his homegrown tomatoes! Ummm GOOD!

It was a beautiful day and the ride up to Rome was great. Can't wait to see Wendy and Ken and enjoy their company..I even got a glimpse of Dr. Bill Lado of Oneonta is his little fire engine RED convertible on Route 20! I'll tell him Monday when I see him for my appointment. He can't get away with anything.

My daughter, Wendy and her husband invited myself, Andy and his “Lady”, Laura Shute, to the Stanwix Men’s Club raffle Fund raiser for “Friends in Need” on Sept.10. Only 850 tickets were sold at $25.00 each. The Grand Prize was a Palomino Pop-Up Camping Trailer Yearling Series.Other prizes were 10 fire arms ranging in value from $500-$800 each. Many, many prize were grand away if you had the number called. We were not luck this year but Wendy did win a nice windchime and a stainless steel travel coffee mug. When she arrived to pick it up, everyone sang Happy Birthday. She is only 27!!!!

An event at the Stanwix Veteran's & Men's Club always brings crowd. The food is FANTASTIC and there is always plenty. A DJ provided music which had everyone dancing after the buffet. My son-in-law, Ken, coaxed me to the floor with Wendy and Laura and it was great. I always enjoying dancing. Ken always works those events and this was no different. Raffle tickets were sold by the hundreds.

Natalie gave me a quick call just before she took off on a marathon! Her daughter and her family arrived as planned for a holiday, but had to return home due to a very ill family member. Then, to top that, another family member had a death in the family and had to return home. The events of the Labor Day Weekend were stressful. I should see her soon and pray all is well.

What do you think about the price of gasoline? I know you too are not happy. I think it is terrible and have decided to not fill my tank as I usualy do. I get $10.00 at a time now. No matter where you go, the price varies. The last stop for me was $3.24 a gallon. A note to those who can do something about it I say, "Let's get on the stick guys! With the price of oil, propane and gas, it is gonna break the bank for many folks here." I personally don't want to see people cutting their medications and food to pay for fuel.....Do you? IF EVERYONE DECIDED TO NOT BUY GAS ON A GIVEN DAY,THAT WOULD SEND A MESSAGE....And create an glut of gasoline, thereby dropping the prices...

I recently called Suburban to get a delivery for oil, which I use only for hot water. I have a 250 gallon tank. I asked them to bring me the least they could, which turned out to be 100 gallons for $2.39 a gallon. It is easy to figuring out the total with the tax....

Milford Joe is quite a guy. He seems able to do anything, building, repairing, gardening, fixing, you name it, but there is one thing that amazes me. HE IS TOTALLY DEAF. He communicates via email and reads lips. I have learned alot about how to communicate with deaf folks from him.He is amazing!

Last week while working, he did something to his shoulder and was in awful pain. As he can't talk on the phone, he asked me to call the Bainbridge Vets Clinic and make an appointment. He wanted me to accompany him so as not to miss anything the doctor said. I got an EARLY appointment the next day and I picked him up and took him. They took blood, because he is diabetic and prescribed Tylenol for now. He would need an ex-ray and would have to go to ALBANY as the Sidney Hospital is closed. So it was off to Albany. That is it till next week folks. Have a great week.

Thought for the Week: "Love is the glue that holds together everything in the world". Believe it!!!!