July 29-Aug.5, 2006

Jim says“YES”,Cochlear Implants & VEGIES!

Hazel was seated in her chair next to her desk listening to her radio when we arrived. She looked so nice and cool in her colorful, cotton dress. She was afraid we were not coming as we were running late. She asked Joe to do a few chores for her, for which she is so grateful. She shared that Father Abbott of Christ Church in Cooperstown had come to see her and had set up visits by a lady from church. The visits brighten her week. When asked how she is, she says, “I am just about here”. At 94 and afflicted with severe arthritis, she does OK in my book. . .

The Baseball Hall of Fame Induction took place even in spite of the downpours and traffic was unreal getting in and out. The bus trip into Cooperstown is proving to be busy, busy. The Dreams Park is causing a lot of traffic on Route 28 and delays are frequent, but I do get to work.

Wednesday is the day I work at the Otsego County Youth Bureau and I am always greeted with Dolly Hunter’s, friendly greeting and a big smile to start my day. As you may remember her office is inundated with PURPLE, her favorite color! We both brought flowers today, mine were Lemon Lilies and white Daisies and hers, purple Hosta blooms.

Tex Seaman, Otsego County Veterans Director was on the phone, surrounded by paperwork and his flashing computer. He gave me the high sign, which means, I am BUSY, BUSY and busy. I must tell you that if you are a veteran and need help, Tex is your man. He helped me get to the right people and arrange Joe’s Cochlear Implants, which will take place on Sept. 27& Sept 28 at NYU in New York City. Joe has lived in a silent world silent world for 15 or so years, sooo we are excited. When I announced it in church Sunday, everyone cheered and clapped

I stopped at the Sage Center for a moment and Sue Bouton was her cheery self. She has an exciting shop of goods and workshops of all description. As I left I ran into Charlotte Busman, who I haven’t seen for literally years. She has been filling in at Sue’s and her neighbor’s unique shop of unusual apparel. It is fun for her and gives the gals an opportunity to get time off.

Charlotte shared that their deli was sold last year to “Young”, a tiny, dark haired smilin’ gal, who told me that she always wanted a deli of her own. Pete is a man of many faces and is selling real estate now. As I turned around there was Joe Mone, bigger and better then ever. He said, “The food is great here.” He is doing the opera this year and teaching too. So Railroad Ave. in Cooperstown is a busy place with many places to investigate.

I had called/visited Jim Kevlin, the new editor of the Freeman’s Journal over the course of the last few weeks and my meeting with him today brought about a positive decision on his part to publish “What’s Cookin’?” starting with this issue. When I arrived, Mary Pangborn, an old friend from my early Journal days, greeted me. She looks great and she too has writing in her veins. Please pass the word around that “What’s Cookin’?” can be read in the Freeman’s Journal. I don’t want to miss anyone.

Curt Akin is working on setting up a website for it and hopefully, me will be ready soon.

Despite the heavy rain, the garden is doing very well. We have been enjoying spinach or lettuce salad nearly every day. I have frozen 8 quarts of green beans and hope to do the wax beans tonight. Swiss Chard has been delicious. The bargain tomato plants purchased for $2.00 for 24 plants are just full of tomatoes. We are waiting anxiously for them. We have all kinds of squash full of blooms and eggplants and peppers too. I guess you know where I spend a lot of time and I love it.

What a nice surprise Joe got when a call from his daughter-in-law, Jassely, who invited us for a birthday dinner. She said she had a good day today, but some days are not so good. She is expecting her second child and also her Mom, who will come from Peru, to help with the new baby when the time comes. Just before we left, the sky opened up and a flood of rain made it almost impossible to even get to the car. When we arrived both his sons and their families where there busy fixing a lovely dinner. We even got to sing Happy Birthday with ice cream cake. He blew out all the candles for good luck.

Joe’s daughter, Missy, called and so did his oldest son, Steve, of Englewood, Florida, with birthday greetings. Steve said that the tragic loss of his son’s girlfriend in a boating accident last week was devastating. He and his wife are now taking care of the two children 3 and 2. . .

Thought for the Week: Success is the reward for doing your best.

Good for a Laugh: I have to exercise early in the morning before my brain figures out what I am doing. . .