Feb. 26- Mar.5, 2006

Wow! Can you believe this weather? It seems everyday now, we get a little of everything- snow, rain, cold temperatures etc. The snow has not been present a lot, but the wind has been persistent. The winds have taken a toll on many trees, which we have seen either down or beaten up.

We did get a chance to see for ourselves a number of trees that were downed, including the huge Spruce tree that just missed the house and car at Joe's son's home. Tony hadn't had a chance to get it cut up, as he was busy doing everyone else's. That is his business. He will get to it in time.

Even Joe's dog, Patchy, is reluctant to venture outside. Joe gave her the ham bone from the pea soup one day when the sun was out. She chewed on it and then hid it. Today, she brought it inside! Can't blame her.

Gary Allen, the Otsego County Veteran's driver, was already at the Milford parking lot with a full van when we arrived at 7:40am. We would get a head start on our trip to the Sam Stratton VA Hospital in Albany. Appointments were varied with the last one at 1:30pm.

Alton Brisport, Joe's therapist, went through the exercises with Joe and added two others that they would do when he came again. Ultra sound was administered to his ailing should and although it was not felt in anyway, it helped Joe a lot.

Mr.& Mrs. Donald Moffett of Cooperstown were on the van and I got to chatting with his Mrs. She would like to share her original courdough, which she has been nurturing for 25 years, with someone to keep it going. She could share recipes that are tried and tested by her for years including her blueberry pancakes, which she and hubby have had 1000 times. Give me a call and I'll pass it along to this fine lady and get back to you.

I meet Jack and Janet Bresee in Walmart again. What a handsome couple they are! We go back to the early 60's when I worked for Jack. He then had Beb Products and ran the Golden Roaster Gift Shop. When I finished doing work at his office on Taft Ave. I worked in the gift shop and I enjoyed that.

The bitter cold of Friday almost kept me home, but the sun came out so I decided to go to my appointment to give blood at Elm Park Methodist Church. Joe came along, as he has the last two times. They were in full swing when we arrived with several familiar faces. The process has speeded up with the new system. I didn't take long at all; we were out of there in no time. I visited with Toni Christensen for a time while Joe finished up. I told her that we had to change our original appointment at Fox Care. Joe loves to go there, as many others do, because they have homemade baked goods. Toni said they discussed going back to homemade cookies and little sandwiches at Elml Park too! (hmmmmmmm. . .)

I called Tony, Joe's son, as Joe wanted to stop by and see him and his little family. "Come on over now and that will be fine." His wife, Jessely, and their year old son, Anthony; however were in Peru! Jessely was born and raised there and her family is still there. Tony met her when he was in a friend's wedding there. They will not return until the 16th of March so Tony is on his own. We will have him for dinner. He knows what a good cook his dad is. . Tony also said that he won a Remington 12 gauge 31/2" Pulp Shotgun in a recent raffle. How lucky can you get?

Joe and I were going shopping in Oneonta and went down Route 28 South. I saw the first sign of spring in a tree on the corner of Route 7 and Upper Dutch Hill Road. Joe missed it and turned around to see for himself, but it was already gone. What a wonderful sight. Perhaps spring is not far away.

Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S. pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way.

Hazel McShane is doing her best at 93 to keep her going. She said this morning that she is slowing down and getting weaker and weaker. Can you imagine at 93, just keeping going. She is sharing her years of experience with Joe about how to eat to keep his arthritis under control. It seems that eggs, acidy foods and juices are culprits. He will have to make some changes in his eating habits. Thanks Hazel

Thought for the Week: More rabbits then people have made their millions!

PS- We just ventured out into the cold and found it too much for taking a walk. Joe said, "There is no sense in getting sick trying to stay healthy!"