April 21-27 2006

I got an early morning call from my son, Mark, which set our day in motion. He invited Joe and me to lunch at Doubleday Café in Cooperstown and then a visit to Lakefront Park on Otsego Lake. It was a great day and the lunch was great. Joe had a cup of soup, Cream of Cheddar, which he just raved about. We all had the liverwurst sandwich with lettuce and tomatoes on thick wheat toast. It was delicious, but I ended up taking mine home. From there we drove down to the lake and just enjoyed the surroundings. There were no boats moored at the docks, but soon they will arrive. The sightseeing vessel has changed this Winter-it now has a double deck! A light breeze and blue skies were inviting. We look forward to many more visits.

Palm Sunday services were inspiring and we noted a few folks have returned to the fold after a southern absence. We went directly to see Hazel McShane, who was waiting for us. She has been invited to Easter Dinner by a close friend and wanted to let us know so that we would not stop after church. When asked how she was feeling, she said, "I am just barely here...

I joined Joe for a cleanup day. We gathered all the papers, plastic, cans, glass and assorted metal and put them in cardboard boxes. After a light lunch we headed for the "Gathering Places and were glad to get them out of the way. In the afternoon we gathered twigs and branches, blown down this winter, and put them in a pile to be dealt with another day.

On Tuesday we were on our way to Albany via the Otsego County Veteran's Van with trusty Gary Allen at the wheel, another full load. . Appointments were running late and so we were late getting home, but not too late to take in out first Yard Sale on #28,in Portlandville, where I managed to get a few items.

The home was sold and the family of the elderly lady, who lived there were told, "The house MUST BE EMPTY. .We had stopped on Thursday and they were in hopes that all would be sold over the weekend, but rain I am sure hampered the sale. I wonder how they made out.

Nature's Scene: The weather has been nice, although it has had a few cool spells. Things are looking greener and the trees and lilac are budding out. I got my first daffodils on Saturday. There were not enough for the cemetery, but I did put some spring flowers on Richard and Irwin's sites. The ponds are up and the roads are settling down slowly. Joe's Rhododendrons are full of buds. A lone turkey leisurely walked across Joe's lawn just after daylight.

Joe's little Jack Russell, female 13 year-old dog, Patchy, is under my feet all the time. She wants to be out when she is in and in when she is out. She will sit and stare at me, wag her little short tail back and forth until I acknowledge her and then I still don't know what she want. It is a process of elimination . . .

The Voice of GOD: "Why don't you stop by my place before the game."?

On Friday morning Joe and I took off for Bainbridge VA Clinic for his second appointment of the week. This one was to be with his new Doctor, Dr. Dao. He was very thorough and had Joe begged in a short time. Joe's medications were increased and blood work ordered for next week in Albany to check his diabetes. An appointment for an eye exam was set in place. His next appointment will be in October.

Feeling good about the day so far, I followed though with a prearranged meeting with Debbie Flanagan, who is living now in Sidney to be close to her church-Sidney Assembly of GOD. We met at The Cream of the Crop Cafe, just below the VA Clinic. Debbie looks wonderful. Since my last report to you, she has lost68 pounds on a Christian diet. She has an extra sparkle in her eyes too. We enjoyed a wonderful lunch and then afterwards walked through the shop, which has wonderful things. Joe even meets someone he had worked with years ago. . We made one more stop after leaving Debbie, P D"S Used Furniture Barn on Main Street, Otego. You can't miss it as it has a huge white roaster out front to draw your attention. Besides the nice used furniture, they have everything you can think of from books, penknives, marbles, knickknacks, lawn accents and even a bicycle, just my size (which I would have brought but it wouldn't fit in the car.) You have to stop by when you are in Otego.

I stopped in Kim's Cut and Style at 8:30am to get trimmed up. She always does a good job and I feel 100% better when I leave.

My brother, Terry and his wife, Maureen, came up from Jersey late Thursday. They had a lot of work to do outside and the weather was great to do it. His buddy Jim McGrath and his friend were on hand to help. It seems one job lead to another and now they have a major project. It will be nice when it is done.

Terry called mid morning and said," Come on over for supper. I have a nice ham and it would be nice to see you and Joe. Andy and Laura are coming too." I told him we would be there and planned the day around his invitation.

Joe and I went to White House Farm about 5:00pm and chatted with Maureen and then Terry as he put the finishing touches on his dinner menu. Baked ham, brown rice, carrots and celery sautéed with onions and garlic, simmered red potatoes and cabbage and a basket of garlic bread. It was so good.

Easter Sunday was wonderful except for Joe's daughter's absence from the holiday meal. My Mark came and we had a lot of food. We also had a baked ham. What was left over will be put to good use. Joe loved my ham salad and I just finished making a bash for lunch when we go to the VA tomorrow.

Thought for the Week: The best way to plan for tomorrow is to live each moment today.

PS- Gas prices are soaring again. Maybe it is time to get a horse and wagon. You might just find one way back in Grandpa's old barn. .