April 13-20, 2006

"I have got to FIX my shower! It is either too hot or too cold! Come with me to Lowe's and help me pick a shower unit and a new faucet for the sink too. I can get what I need and work on it when we get back from Staten Island on Monday. What do you say?" Joe said anxiously. I told him "OK" and soon we were in Oneonta. I meet David Brenner in the parking lot. He was on a mission too. All in all, we got what we needed and made a promise to each other that we would work together to get the work done when we returned.

We were off for Staten Island at 8:00am on Saturday morning, April 1st, which was the first day of Trout season and April Fool's Day. It would also be a shorter day, as clocks would spring ahead early Sunday morning when all would be fast asleep. It was overcast and not sunny and bright like we would have wanted. We saw many fishermen out especially in the Willowwemak River, Delaware basin by Fish's Eddy. I am told that there you can catch the BIG ones. Perhaps a few April Fool tales will come from their effects. .

We made a few goofs on the way to Joe's sister's, Joann, home, but they were not earth shattering. We had the lunch I brought (which we couldn't eat along the way) and chatted with Joann and then we got down to business-replacing four panels on the garage door and fixing the interior door, which was botched by an amateur carpenter.

We joined Joann on a trip to Lowe's and got the materials needed for the job, plus beautiful pansies and primrose plants that were on sale for 99 cents. We picked up the makings for a stir-fry and we were set to go. We were up and at'em on Sunday morning and at work after a quick breakfast. Things went well and Joe's expertise came through in a few hours. We couldn't believe how the interior door was hung upside down and the hinges were inside out! All was done by evening and Joann said she would paint the panels later.

Louise and "Rocky" Lauria have reached another milestone. This one is their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Bet they thought they would never make it, but they did. Louise and Rocky moved back to Louise's childhood home after her Mom, Elizabeth Bunn, passed away and they are very happy there. Louise works at the Kinney Memorial Library and Rocky still manages to work in the woods. There will be an OPEN HOUSE at the Hartwick Community Hall this weekend.

Joan Heffner, a strong member of St. Matthew's Lutheran Church in Laurens, will be celebrating her birthday along with her twin sister on Easter Sunday. What tales she tells about growing up as a twin. She says she and her sister wore the same outfits and that made it hard for folks to identify these identical twin girls. I promised I would not reveal their ages now. Joan sports a three-wheeler, which helps her keep going. I call it her Harley! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

I noticed a new gentleman sitting in the front pew at church and after service I welcomed him. In the conversation that followed I learned that his name was N. Eric Petersen from Chicago, Ill. and his family attended St. Matthew's back in the 1920's! I did not get his Mom's name, but he was visiting her and the area this week.

For the past few weeks a very big man has been attending services and has sat in front of me. Now Joe is a big man too and Joe calls him-Paul Bunyon! We chatted with him and found him to be well acquainted with the LORD. His name is

Nature's Scene: Ahhhh! That is more like it. There is nothing like the warm sunshine on my face and green pastures in my sight. . The trees have not yet brought forth their leaves and you can see forever. The fields are dotted with many horses and young colts this year and I have seen baby woodchucks trying their curiosity. Joe's little Jack Russell dog has come on walks with us and rediscovered the "Mice-y Huts and "Chipmunk Lodges. She runs so fast, that she passes herself on the way back. She so loves joining us.

Our sympathy goes out to the Powers family, who lost a strong member-James Frederick Powers, 90 recently everyone called him FRED. He lost his wife, Nina, of 55 years last January and they had 5 girls and 4 boys. He worked hard all his life and now has earned his rest-our deepest sympathy to family and friends.

Got an email from Natalie and she has postponed her trip back home till the 19th, although she is anxious to get here. She had a marvelous time in Phoenix, Ariz. and is considering a drive to Baltimore, Maryland rather then the hassle of flying there.

Marty and Elliot Helfand are looking forward to coming home to their Schuyler Lake camp She wrote and said that she and Elliot would be glad to bring any packages that Joe's son, Steve, would like to get to his Dad and visa-versa in the fall. Isn't it a co-incidence that they live in Englewood, Florida, too? They are anxious to meet Joe and no doubt we will see them often this summer.

Helpful Hint: Have a bloodstain on? Use Hydrogen Peroxide on a paper towel and it will disappear.

Even Joe and I are picking up cans on the roads when we see them. There is often more garbage then cans, but we get that too. I was happy to see that a number of teenagers, boys and girls, collecting refuge along a highway as we traveled from Staten Island on Route 17. There were adults with vehicles and the teens were dressed with reflective clothing. I applaud all of you who read this and do the same thing. In it you can take pride in your effects and give those who pass a pleasing sight..

A Word or Two from GOD: "Keep using my name in vain and I will make the rush hour an hour longer. . ."

Thought for the Week: When they say the odds are against you, bet on your heart and prove them wrong.

PS- I am running out of room so I will close wishing you a Blessed Easter and we'll chat next week.