March 23-30, 2006

Bev Lapp told me that Ginny O'Connor was very weak and didn't feel up to having visitors, at her new home in the Fox Nursing Home so I didn't go. A few days later, on March 13, she gave in to her failing heart and slipped away quietly. No one called with the news and I found her obit in the Daily Star. I felt so bad that I didn't get a chance to see her, but I did get to her Memorial Service at St. Matthews Lutheran Church, where she had been a member for a very long time.

Joe accompanied me to a lovely memorial service for Ginny on Saturday officiated by Pastor Paul Messner. Our little church was near full of family and friends, all of whom offered their memories of this lovely Christian woman. The stories were of happier times and lingered in their minds for years. All the little ones were given the opportunity to place a long stem Carnation at the altar and seemed to realize their mission. Pastor told everyone to take the beautiful flowers that were left from the memorial service and take them to shut-ins. I took a few for Hazel McShane and she was delighted. Following the service all were invited to partake of a lovely buffet and conversation in the parish hall. Rest in peace Ginny.

Joe and his oldest son, Steve, in Englewood, Florida, have been trying to correspond by email for some time now, but due to glitches in the aol.com system, Joe's mail was always sent back. He got so frustrated that I decided to call. Steve and I were able to straighten things out and Joe just got about 20 photos of Steve and his family, new baby and an Amber Jack fishing trip! He is on Cloud Nine.

Andy and I talk a couple of times a week on the phone and catch up on what going on. His voice was strange and he told me he had a bad cold. What was worse, he had to work half day on Saturday when I thought he should be home taking care of it. "You know Mom, I have to work, he said.

Laura Shute told me that Meow Meow, her 19 year-old cat died in her arms just days ago. The female cat was pregnant and living under the trailer, when Laura discovered her. She coaxed her in and from that time on, Meow, Meow was part of their pet family. She had the kittens on my birthday and Laura found homes for all but one, which Andy adopted because it had double toes on his front feet. Meow Meow was a good mother and had an infectious purr. Her presence will be missed. . .

Nature's Scene: Joe said he noticed a huge turkey buzzard and a crow circling and then landing in the back field and went investigate. He found a large, dead, frozen raccoon. He thought perhaps it had been hit by a car and managed to get to the field a die. About the same time, a young red squirrel was raiding the bird feeder and he chased it with a booming voice and he has not seen it since. I also thought that perhaps this raccoon had gotten in a battle with the possum and meet his end. Who knows?

Had a nice chat with John Bush who is recuperating from surgery two weeks ago and doing well. He and Chuck Hascup, who is recuperating from a heart attack, have been spending time together. I bet they make a pair. I am so glad that they are doing well. By the way, a few of you asked where they could send a donation to Chuck Hascup and the info that I have is, just send it to him at his home on West Hill Rd., Hartwick, NY 13348. Put these two great guys on your prayer list. . .

How was your St. Patrick's Day? Mine was great. Joe and I joined force's and made a delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner. I made Irish Soda Bread the day before and we simmered the corned beef with the spices for 2-1/2 hours. Joe gets cared away when he cooks and before I knew it, he had the large pot a third way full with red potatoes. I had cleaned the carrots while he cut the cabbage and onions into quarters, and added stalks of celery. When we added all this to the pot, it was filled to the top. When it was all done, we feasted. It was truly delicious and we ate too much.... I now had to decide what to do with the remainder. Between us, we got it all taken care of. Joe did have repercussions from the dinner, as he got up several times and left the room.. . ."Cabbage is wonderful but it don't like me, he said with a grin.

Our weather has been very unusual with thunder and lightning storms and frequent snow falls. Some days have been pleasantly warm, but the nights are cold, chilling one to the bone. It is Sunday afternoon and it is snowing wildly with large flakes and the temperature is just 30 degrees. The snow that melted away several times is back again until the sun comes out again. Isn't it close to the last day of winter?

Thought for the Week: On getting older and in the winter of my life, even my birthday suit needs ironing and the candles cost more then the cake!!!"- Bob Hope