March 2-9, 2006

My youngest son, Mark, will be having a birthday and Joe and I decided that we would treat him to a Saturday evening at the China Buffet. He was tickled and was looking forward to going. We would also take him shopping at Aldi's and Walmart. We left early and Walmart was the first stop. Joe headed for the bakery aisle where he would get their Leomon Cake (Delicious). It is a monthly treat and he rations it out small but thinks BIG! Mark got what he needed and then we were off to BJ's for gas ($2.39 a gallon) and then to Aldi's.

Aldi's was closed for a week for renovations and the work improved lighting, more improvements to the traffic pattern and new freezer cases make it much easier to find items. It is great. Everything on the lists was checked and now (6:00pm) we were off to the China Buffet.

They were extremely busy, but we managed to find a parking place near the front door and got a booth right away. We all took off in different directions. Mark's eyes were as big as saucers. Joe headed for the mussels, crabmeat dishes and marinated green beans and I was not far behind. We all got back to the table at the same time. We took our time and enjoyed a little bit of everything, ending up with little ice cream sundaes. It was a great evening. I only wished that I had been able to reach Andy and Laura that afternoon. They would have enjoyed it too.

Listening to the coming of the Academy Awards made me think of the late Bob Hope, who had never won an Oscar. He said, "Welcome to the Academy Awards or, as it is called art my home-"Passover". No offence intended.

Joe is happy with his new used Chevy pickup truck, but there were a few things he wanted to do. The belt was old and needed to be replaced so he hi-tailed it down to Advance Auto and got the belt and pully assemblly. It was too cold to do it that day, but Sunday was great. After church he decided-this was the day! He worked for some time and then announced that the belt was too big and he wanted to return to Advance Auto and get it checked. Sure enough it was not the right one and the young man took care of that. It ended up that the new belt was $3.00 cheaper and the refund took care of the gas to get there. Once home, it was back to work on the truck and he finished the job. It was cold and he scraped his hands so First Aid was in order. He is now a happy camper. . .

Nature's Scene: After a two day absence, the kitty that came every night for a couple of weeks returned in hunger. Footprints and an empty dish proved that it had returned, I was releived as I was afraid that the two big dogs that were scouting around near the old barn, had killed it. Hold on, we'll help. Spring is coming and perhaps you will let us see you.

Speaking of Spring, last week I mentioned that I had seen the first sign of Spring in a tree on the corner of County Route 44 and 28. Did you guess it was a ROBIN? It was fat and orange and I asked for a blessings for it. Keep watch you may see one too.

Dolly Hunter, who works in the Otsego County Personel office, was out for two days with a stuborn migraine headache. When she came back there were 100 messages on her answering machine! She was bogged down for a couple of days. She is always smilin' and has a pleasant way about her that makes you feel good. I hope that she is OK now.

Joe's daughter, Missy, did not show up on Sunday as she said she would and there were no calls. It was a couple of days later when we heard from her. SHE WAS IN FOX HOSPITAL! She admitted herself with a severe migraine headache and was there for a couple of days. Before we could get to see her, she was discharged and went home. She called just as we were leaving to visit.

We were the only folks travelin' to the Sam Stratton VA Hospital in Albany this week. We got there early and were home early. Gary said that Donald Moffatt and his wife were not on his the list. Joe's appointment went well. He is not having that awful pain now unless he forgets and does something wrong. Mr. Brisport introduced Joe to heat treatment, now that he has no pain. He included two new excercises. Perhaps in a few more weeks, he will have beat it.

My sympathy goes out to the family of Larry Marlette, Dick Conklin and Dave Prozman. I know the grief you all bear. May family, friends, memories and the peace that only GOD can give, comfort you all.

Don't forget to check out the Sage Center this month for their new workshops. Evelina Fuller Lincoln will be doing extensive Holistic workshops on a variety of women's needs and wants on Tuesday evenings. Call now- 547-7485.

An unusual sighting in Milford some time back just reached me. A reader was driving toward Cooperstown on Route 28 in Milford and saw an adult goat jump with all four on the back of an adult donkey and manuvered for balance. "I never saw anything like it before and , if not for a tailgater, I would have stopped", he said. Wished I had seen it myself. . .

Thought for the week.Fretting springs from a determination to get our own way.-Oswald Chambers

PS- We finally saw the kitty! She/he is gray with white chest and boots, and came in the daytime, probably hungry and found the pieces of chicken breast we had left for her the night before. It was frozen and we watched her as she moved about 4 feet for cover near my car and ate every morcel, checking afterwards to see if she missed any. I was able to watch her from the patio doorway; she didn't seem to mind, but when I went to open it she dashed off.