Aug. 19-26, 2006

Neil Haynes, an old friend of Milford Joe, called to let Joe know that he had gotten the ticket to the Unadilla Gun Show, Flea market and Barbecue. He asked me to thank him and tell him he would see him there, but would not be staying long. He had company coming from Texas and would have to get back to South Kortright to “entertain”(prepare a barbecue). As it turned out, Joe and I went, but did not see him. When we inquired if anyone had seen him, no one could say where he was. We ended going home and not seeing him. We were anxious to see him as he recently had major surgery and he said he was feelin’ GREAT!

Julie Holtje and three of her children arrived at Harry and Molly Holtje’s in Piertown Sunday. The oldest did not come back just yet as he is working and has a girlfriend! They had been in Alaska for two years so they had much to talk about. Hubby, Danny, will arrive soon after a two-year stint working as a surveyor for the US Government. They will be back living in Rochester and picking up their lives there.

Suburban Energy sent “Paul” out to inspect and service my propane furnace this week. I was nervous about it after the water filled my cellar for the first time. Fortunately he was able to get her going for the time being, but made no promises as too how long it would work it would hold up. For the time being I am safe. It has been hard to find people to do the electrical and roofing estimates, they are all very busy. I have to be patient; there are many who are in need at this time.

Otsego County lost a great man last week. Deane W. Winsor of Milford, 84, who gave much in his time here is gone. GOD BLESS! You did a GREAT job.

Joe helped me again mow my lawn even after chopping wood all morning. He has a big lawn of his own, but he always manages to come and help. All the water has produced a thick, grass lawn, which not only needs cutting but raking. I will be glad when it doesn’t need cutting anymore. Have you noticed that you don’t hear the peepers or see the fireflies anymore? Have you noticed the leaves are turning and falling and the birds are flocking? Could it be that fall is on its way?

Joe’s computer started acting up and then one day last week, it just quit. He called his son, Tony, who gave it to his Dad, to see if he would look at it and he did. To make a long story short, it is now working. Tony cleaned it all out and it is like a new computer. Hallelujah! The only thing is, Joe lost all his mail and photos. Tony also brought a load of firewood and Joe has been working hard to get it cut/split.

It was just about 11:00am last Wednesday when I got a surprise visit! Dodger Bob, who has been a “What’s Cookin’?” fan for a long time, showed up at my office bearing a pint of hand picked blueberries. He was wearing his Dodger jacket and cap and a big smile and scratches on his hands. . . A big hug seemed to be in order. He had planned many times to stop, but it didn’t happen. I thought I would never meet him. He couldn’t stay long, because he had parked on Main St. and he didn’t want a ticket. After he left me, he would head to points north and get back to go to work in Jamaica, Long island on the night shift. Next time we will make more time….

Tex Seaman, Otsego County Veterans Agency Director, has been a big help in getting the paper work done for Joe’s Cochlear Ear Implants, which are scheduled for Sept. 27 at NYU in Manhattan. This week he said he might b able to work out transportation. We may be able to hitch a ride down to the city! I thank GOD everyday for his blessings. I will keep you all posted.

I called Kim at Kim’s Kut & Style to see if she could squeeze me in somewhere and she did. I went down on my lunch break and she got me back to looking much better. I had the feelin’ that I look like I had been attacked by a lawnmower. She always makes me feel better and I wanted to look good for a wedding on Staten Island next week.

Stopped at SPCA on the way home and marveled at the damage that was done by the flood. Of course, much has been done since then, but the force of the water nearly took the building down. I did get a cute blouse there and stopped to see the animals. I didn’t bring any of them home though. .

I had been trying to get a hold of Natalie Fisher for a good week with no luck. I was beginning to get concerned. I left several messages, but got no return call. I even called Bob Covert to see if he knew anything. I just called again and this time, Natalie’s voice filled my ears. “I was beginning to get worried,” I said.

“Oh, Corinne, you just forgot I was going to Santa Fe!” she said. Yes I did forget. I am getting bad. She will have her granddaughter Sierra for a week and said she would work out some time for me.

Thought for the Week: To HOPE and dream is not to ignore the practical. It is to dress it in colors and rainbows.