Oct. 20-27, 2005 #365 

     My youngest son, Mark, surprised me with a planned dinner date with Milford Joe and my best friend, Natalie Fisher! We all meet at Applebee’s on Southside and had a wonderful mid day Sunday dinner. I hadn’t spent time with Mark for several weeks and it was great to see him doing so well. We all shared stories and laughed a lot. It was great.
     Natalie shared that she was finally doing over the sitting room from top to bottom. Chris Briggs and his crew began with taking up the old blue carpet, which revealed beautiful old wood floors in good condition. The walls were stripped of the barn boards, underneath which was black paper and under that layers of wallpaper. By the day’s end, the walls were free of everything and the empty room looked bright and large. A wainscoting will be done and upper walls painted just in time for Natalie’s annual wine tasting party on the 22nd. Tell you about that next week.
     Otsego County just hired Tex Seaman, as the new Veteran’s director is He has quite a background and has been busy since he arrived catching up on work left when Art Bleich, the previous director, left suddenly for another position. We wish him good forturne and Tex a bright future with Otsego County. He is already making a difference. If you have any questions concerning a veteran situation, he will help you out. If he doesn't have the answer, he will find it for you. Call the 547-4200 and have them patch you into his office.
     I managed to get to the Mt. Vision Methodist Church rummage and bake sale Saturday and came away with some great things. I take things to sell and come away with more to take home. I met Kay Brick of Mt. vision and I asked her how she enjoyed dinner at Natalie’s. She shared that she and hubby, Barry, had a lovely dinner with Natalie and were looking forward to the wine tasting Party too.
     The new bird feeders that were made from plastic Pepsi bottles have attracted a large red squirrel. It managed to do some damage to one and the next day the squirrel was found as roadkill. Little did I know that it was a female, and had a family. There were 4 or 5 babies and they began appearing. At the same time three little stray kittens were appearing and they made short order of the little squirrels! Nature has its way of dealing with life. . .
     Well, I finally got an appointment for my stress test next Monday. Then hopefully if approved the operation will take place in November. If it runs too late in the month, I may wait till spring. I don’t want to be laid up when the weather turns cold. I have to be able to get around.
     I missed Linda McDerrmit, my niece last Sunday. She lives in Binghamton and we haven’t gotten together since the wedding last August. She said she was going to come but neglected to call, and she came when I was away. She left a note on my door, which stated that she just sat in the lawn chair an enjoyed the surroundings. She promised to call and return another time.
     Trudy Williams has moved into Hartwick. She just turned 90 years old on the 9th.She had been living on the outskirts of Cooperstown for some time after her hubby, Charlie, passed away. I haven’t got an address or phone number yet, but will. In the meantime, welcome her to our thrieving metropolis when you see her.
    Hartwick #1 Fire Department is still having their Sunday morning breakfast from 8-12 on the first Sunday of the month. They have donated their proceeds to victims of Hurricane Katrina this past month.
    The rain has continued to fall, very heavily at times. Friday was beautiful and we made the most of it when inside work was done. We picked a good bushel of appleS in the afternoon and will make apple sauce and pies! We were all scratched up when we finished as we had to tread through a blackberry patch and were scratched all up! After putting the bounty in the trunk, we drove to the state land and Joe sighted in his gun for hunting season. It was right on target. Remember it is now bow season, so don't go walking in the woods! Regular season will begin on Saturday, the 19 of November.
     One of my pet peeves is: Seeing the roads and highways littered with garbage, which has been discarded by people who travel with it in their vehicles and then toss it to the winds. Someone has to pick it up and the costs time and money. Please take your garbage, etc. back home with you..                                                                
     Tony Rotolo of Oneonta and his wife, Jassely, both had birthdays is October, just 4 days apart. I mailed Tony's, but Jassely's card was held back. I had gotten a card days ago, signed it and had it in the car for two days before it was personally delivered. You know me, scatter brains! They have a beautiful son, Anthony Jr., who was born on Dec. 31, 2004, great timing don't you think? Jassely was born in Peru, South America and is anxious to see her Mom who is coming to help her with the baby, perhaps by then there will be two babies! Tony is the owner of "The All Season Tree Service in Oneonta"..
     Barbara Thomas finally got a bed in a nursing facilty, but it is in Delhi! She was hoping for Oneonta, but they are still full up. The closing of Sidney Hospital has put a strain on area facilities. She is happy there, but sad that it is so far from her family and friends. She is comfortable and happy and doing well. Please send a card to card to her at the Delaware County Countryside Care Center, 41861 State Highway#10, Delhi, Ny 13753
    Joe and I left for Natalie's home and her Annual Wine Tasting Party, with a large bowl of our homemade crab meat salad. He and I both had test tasted it and IT WAS GOOD. Simon Brown, the Wine Master, was already there getting ready. Guests began arriving shortly after. Natalie had chosen twelve bottles of domestic wines, both red and white,purchased from the J&J Wines and Liqor Store in the Commons, Cooperstown. We each had a taste of each, one by one, as Simon told us about each one. The wines ranged in price from $4.95 to $11.95, the favorites were medium priced. Simon did not remain for the delicious food, but left to attend his in-laws wedding anniversary. The rest of us enjoyed to the fullest. The McBreaertys; Bob Covert, his sister, Jean, and his wife, Ruth; Claire Kepner; Barry and Kay Brick, Joe and I had a lovely evening.
     As we drove home over Goddard Rd., the leaves covered the dark, wet road and an uneasy chill was in the air. "It is going to snow soon", said Joe. The next morning there was an inch of  snow on his car. . .
     Thought for the Week:  Tis better to fail in a course that is bound to succeed then to succeed in a course that is bound to fail.-author unknown"