Feb. 9-16, 2006

Joe’s daughter and her twin girls did not show up on Sunday and Joe had worked all day Saturday and made his famous sauce. The saucepot was so full that if you steer to fast, it would try to spill over. Of course, the sauce needed to be tested so Joe invited me to the tasting. The combination of his homemade sauce, meatballs and spicy sausage permeated the kitchen, tantalizing us. It was delicious. When we were done, it was cooled and refrigerator, for the night. Tomorrow, he would dive it up for the fridge and freezer, leaving some out just in case someone pops by. Guess what? Some one did stop by! It was Neil Haymes, who had just had two follow up appointment at Bassett and needed coffee, which Joe immediately put that on.

When Neil heard that Joe made sauce, he motioned to him, pointing to his mouth and us and saying-lunch! Lunch! The timing was right-1:00pm.It was nice having him stop by and knowing that he is feelin’ much better.

Neil shared with us that he really missed out on the sale of a gun he had been offered for $425. He was not in a position to buy so the dealer put it on Ebay’s auction and it brought $1700, a surprise to the owner and Neil.

The sky is a vast area of complex sights for us to view. My friend, Hazel McShane gave me a copy of Astronomy for March of this year. It is fascinating.

Having been in the restaurant business for many years has always kept me alert to new and different recipes, many of my own making and my new friend, Joe. Last night Joe prepared sautéed crabmeat chunks with butter, salt, pepper. It was delicious and does not take long. Use your imagination. You can add anything to it. We like vegies, fresh or frozen. Try it you'll like it. We also made fried fresh green beans with onions as a side dish. Season with your favorite seasonings.

Emails and phone calls came from everywhere this week. Just got an email from Natalie. She and her daughter, Claire Marie, and hubby, Kevin, celebrated their son, Liam's, 3rd birthday. It doesn't seem possible that he is three already. Natalie is going to a Glen Miller Concert this week. She said Portsmouth is a jumpin' place. . .

Irwin's brother, Warren of Salt Lake City, Utah, relaid the news that they have had just three inches of snow so far this winter, but always have the smog, which settles in the valley. He and his daughter Sue will try to come see me this summer.

Joe and Marianne Miles of Cape Cod were having alot of snow on Sunday when I talked with them. Joe is holding his owns in between hospital appointment and sounded great on the phone. A trip this summer to see them is in order.

What a day we had today. Joe finally made up his mind to make an offer on a local Chevy pickup truck. It had more miles on then he wanted, but otherwise was OK. I called for him and we made the deal. That afternoon we picked it up. He stopped by his good friend, Greg Horth, who owns Route 205 Auto & Fleet, to show him and truck and get it inspected. He shared how quickly his truck would get to Albany on line. If Joe were to be stopped by law inforcement on the way home, they would know that he just had the truck inspected/date/time and place. . .Joe is like a kid in a candy shop now and is already planning what it will do for him.

While we were there, John Bush stopped in and he asked me if I had had my surgery as his Mary was asking and I hadn't mentioned anything in What's Cookin'? I had so many problems with setting it up that I decided to wait and now I am ready to go for it. I will call this week and keep you all posted.

I stopped in to see Alex and Pollay Thomas and found that things had settled down some since the passing of his Mom, my good friend Barb Thomas.lHe has been taking time to go over her things and make plans for opening up the space more so that they will have more room. It should be real nice when they get it down, but it willl not happen overnigh. I can't beleive what a nice family have. Barb Loved them so. Nancy Norton, Otsego County Personel Director for 37 years, retired last week. She was givin a surprise Retirement Party on Friday, which had her assistant, Dolly Hunter very busy. Dolly will be a very busy gal in the weeks to come. I would like to see her take over Nancy's job. She would do it up fine. In the meantime, Nancy is enjoying, not sure what she will be doing, but she will have time to relax some. We wish her well.

Had time to stop in Kim's Cut & Style last week and get my hair trimmed up. Somehow it is hard to get there. Kim does a great job. This time I caught her free, as Tim Harper, her last her last customer just left. She looks great and I enjoy chating with her. She missed the snow this year. Not much for snowmobiling. Alot of dealers are having a time.

I will accompany Joe on the Veteran's Van tomorrow for his occupational therapy. We won't get home till 4:30 os so. It engulfs the whole day.