June 1-June 8, 2006

I have only been out on a boat a few times. The first time, my brother, Harry, took me out on the Hudson River in a rowboat and a storm came up! I was just a kid. There was an adventure! The next time was with Mary Ann and Tony Lupo, my sister and brother–in-law years later on Cayuga Lake, where they tried to teach me to water ski. That was another adventure. The third time was out on Gilbert Lake with my son, Andy, who was fishing for trout. No, I didn’t fall into the water. .

“How would you like to go out on Goodyear Lake? I want to check out my motor. I haven’t used the thing in two years!” Joe had his boat all hooked up on the truck and he was ready to go almost when I came home from work. We both had a busy, hot day in different places and it had been hot. It sounds like a great idea to me.

It took no time at all to jump in truck and off we went. We drove down behind the Knott’s Motel on 28 and, with Joe’s instructions; I helped get the boat in the water. The motor started right up an off we went with the breeze blowing through my hair and a smile on my face.

There were several pontoons boats and speedboats already on the lake and they looked like they were having a ball. We were too. Joe spun around giving me a quite tour and then maneuvered to a point of land to our right with one lone tree on it. We were going to anchor her and take a dip, but alas, that was forgotten. By now we noticed that the boats had disappeared and the sky looked threatening, so we made our way back to the beach and headed home. Cracks of thunder and a light rain warned us to hurry. We got home just in time to hear the thunder and see the bolts of lightning craze across the sky, not to mention a frightened little Patchy dog. The only causality our boating trip had was a broken Thermos that Joe got at the garage sale for 50 cents.

GOD’S Voice: “Remember I love you just the way you are…”

Nature’s Scene: On the way to work I sighted a Baltimore Oriel and a Scarlet Tanager within a short distance of one another. It was a beautiful sight. They are striking! A little gray squirrel, out for his first run across the road, dodged three cars and made it to the other side. Wait till he gets home and tell his folks what happened! Several of the horse farms now have a number of new fine colts. There was one little guy who must have just been born. It was struggling to its feet for the first time to greet his future. .

I don’t have to tell you about the weather. The rain keeps coming and storms are frequent. Gardens and lawns are growing fiercely and so are the weeds. I will be on my knees for days.

I picked a lovely bouquet for church with rhododendrum, lavender Iris, Bachelor Buttons, Bleeding Hearts, Buttercups and Queen Anne’s Lace. After the service and coffee hour, Joe and I went to Hazel’s and gave her the bouquet. She was tickled and told us to set it on her coffee table where she could readily see it.

Mary Leonard of Carefree Gardens, who tends Hazels plants through the winter had just arrived with all the lovely plants and was arranging them on the porch. They both seemed happy about the fact that they both exchanged their newly purchased sandals with each other, neither being happy with the fit. They oddly had the same size and they fit each of them fine. ”My toes don’t hurt now”, she said with a smile. Both ladies seemed happy with their switch. .

The old iron bathtub that Joe and I got free along side of county route 44 in Milford is now cleaned and sitting on the bed of chips with footstones under each leg. She has a variety of colored tulips painted around the sides and a blue sky behind them. It is not completely done, but I can finish the rest when weather is more inviting. The grass under which the tub was laid on it arrival is now coming back to life. I am proud of the job.

I want to thank the many folks who read What’s Cookin’? over the years wherever it was published or by whom. I enjoyed writing to you each week and also the feedback. Many of you I know, but many I have never meet. But I knew you were there. I want to take this opportunity to thank the many folks who shared their lives with my readers. At the top of the list is Natalie fisher, who has always been there for me and I for her. Barbara Thomas, who for years battled illness till her death, inspired all of us to make this best of a challenged situation. A special thank you to Hazel McShane, who still shares her faith and endurance. My Dad. Harry J. Holtje, Sr. who always said to “Go for it” was an inspiration. Then there is Joan Heffner, who allowed me to talk about her and her Harley (three wheeler support vehicle)! My husbands, Richard Pollak, of 43 years and Irwin Curlis, who got me to say “YES” after pursuing me for 7 years were my main characters for a time. Now I have Milford Joe. We enjoyed a short but wonderful marriage for just 11½ months. I pray for them each night. I have tried to keep it simple, honest, funny, encouraging, informative and positive, with all the faith I could muster. The news media can handle the rest. I cherish the friendship I have made since it all started back in “71”.

Thank you for inviting me into your home each week. I have enjoyed our visits.

And so “What’s Cookin’?” has come to an end at the Cooperstown Crier, but I will pursue another outlet. I thank all those who have called, emailed and otherwise written with your thoughts. I guess a budget crunch is a budget crunch whether it is my $50.00 a month or someone else’s $200.00. If you want to be on my email list/phone/ or mail, just let me know. I would love to hear from you.

Corinne Pollak
3079 ST HWY #205
Hartwick, NY 13348
PH: 607-293-7769
Cory13us@yahoo.com

Thought for the Week: Enjoy your life and give it all you got. I love you and I will be back.