Dec.15-22, 2005

     Joe came to my aid again offering to plow my lot and it was a good thing, because we found problems on his arrival. Windows were frosted and upon entering the house, IT WAS COLD! One bathroom toilet was frosted over and faucets there froze! Pilots were out on propane furnace and gas stove. We managed to get them lit. I called Suburban and they said I was not getting deliveries! “How can that be? I pay my budget every month?” I  said anxiously I was told that someone would be out ASAP!
     Long story short, fuel man came, service man came, heat resumed, but frozen faucet broke and water ran in tub all night with pump running every 5 minutes. I slept on and off listening to both. I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH PIPE TO TURN OFF. . .
     I started calling Tom Polulech at 6:30am to hear a busy signal. Oh, my GOD, what is going to happen? I took a chance and called his Mom and Tom had just popped in there. “I'm headed that way and I will be right there” he said. He came and did what had to be done. I left for work knowing that Tom would take care of it. I counted my blessings one by one. .  .
     A conversation with my daughter, Wendy, brought good news. Ken's pinky is healing nicely after severing it a few weeks ago. Surgery was successful and although it is cold and throbs, it did not keep him from bagging an eight pointer with a 20 inch spread on the last day of regular season!. She told me to  check with Andy and Laura and tell her which of two days, Jan. 7 or 8, would be good for our Christmas get together. "I will make my Lasagna!", she added with a big smile.
     The holidays usually have their bright side and their dark side. I have seen some of both. Christmas cards receive already brought bad news. The Kolanda’s are separating after 16 years and two wonderful children. . With just my prayers to offer, I wonder what Christmas will be like for them in separate places.
     The obits brought to light the passing of a former friend and customer, Don Glen Chapman, 66, of Oneonta had passed away of lung cancer at the Sam Stratten VA Hospital in Albany. I can still see him at the counter enjoying his breakfast. That was 13 or so years ago. I called his brother’s home and relayed my sympathy as his passed was a good ten days ago. It bothered me that I could have seen him at the VA as I had been there with Joe. Rest in Peace. . .
     I talked to Barb Thomas at Countryside Care Center in Delhi and she was in good spirits. She had been having trouble talking of late and it was determined at O’Connor Hospital that the heart attack at Bassett had caused a paralyzed vocal cord. I will see her next week to bring some Christmas Cheer. . . Please keep her in your prayers.
     Joe’s daughter, Missy, has continued to have problems with her bathroom. We had to return to Franklin on Monday for more adjustments. The old farm house is so out of square that the shower stall just hurts all over. The water was finally turned on Tuesday with cheers and well wishes from all. Now she is having problems with an electric stove!  We don’t do electric.
     On Saturday, Joe and I picked up my son, Mark, at his nice newly decorated apartment, and headed for Oneonta. We got alot done between all of us, but it was hectic. The traffic was terrible and the stores were busy and very crowded. There was something that brought a smile to us as we went to the car, which proves that"Necessity is the Mother of Invention"! There was a car, on which the windshield wipers were not working. The driver took a heavy piece of nylon cord and attached it to both wipers. The idea, as we saw it was, that the driver and the pasenger pulled the line from side to side, thereby clearing the windshield!
     Nature's Scene: We have seen alot of turkeys on the road, in the fields and in the trees, but when we saw them hanging upside down in the trees, we knew that they had not eaten enough to survive and froze. That night it had been 30 degrees below zero.
     It is my practice to donate blood every eight weeks or when reminders come from the various sites I go. I have gotten familiar with the Red Cross staff from Syracuse, who maintain hundreds of sites in New York, it is always nice when they greet you with a "Welcome Back" We particularly enjoy the homemade goodies that we have following the donation. This time and lovely senior lady offered Joe another chocalte bar type cookie. He said thank you and had another, but refused the next. . ."Diabetes you know",he offered.
    I have been behind in my efforts to get ready for Christmas and am just now getting my packages and cards out. I did get some decorations up, but nothing like usual. And so it goes.
    Each day the two Amarullyis  that Joe got for me have grown by leaps and bounds in just a few weeks.  One has seven buds opening, while the other has two. I beleive I will be able to put them on the alter at church Sunday in full bloom. Here's to another blessing of this wonderful season.
     Just learned that Virginia O'Connor, formerly of New Lisbon, is now a resident of Nadar Towers, Oneonta, Apt. 302. Let's surprise her with Christmas greetings.
     Natalie Fisher sends greeting from Virginia when she is visiting her daughter and family in Portsmouth, Va. She stated that Claire Marie was responsible for the terrible cold that she has acquired. She says it has been cold there to, but NOT 30 BELOW!
     Dotty Perry, formerly of Milford and now living permanently in Orlando, also sends greetings to the folks back home. Things could be better there too, but life goes on. A lovely hand-written letter was great to get.
     May I take this opportunity to wish you all the Merriest of Christmases and the Happiest of New Years to you all. I pray you have all those you love at hand.
     Thought for the Week: Only when you recognize your need for others and reach out and open up to them will things move forward. . .