Saturday, October 26, 2002

I'll start my letter early to tell you I fixed a complete dinner tonite!  Pork loin, oven fried potatoes, corn, applesauce, rolls AND lemon meringue pie.  I always have dessert on Thursdays.  Dale has ice cream before he goes to bed & I like coffee & cookies or candy after I get the kitchen cleaned up so that is our usual dessert.  The pie is my favorite & it is so good!

Last Friday was our luncheon.  About 12:30 Warren called to say they wouldn't be coming.  Anna was at the Ridgway hospital with her exercise program & her heart started acting up so she was on the way to the hospital in Du Bois.  They told Warren she would be there a couple of days.  The luncheon was just OK.  The two Teds kept up their church discussions.  It got long & we missed Warren & Anna.  Warren is "the life of the party".

We're watching Wi. vs. Mich. State & I'm sure there was groaning because of a couple of bad plays..  They just got a TD -- Wi. did.  In your home, that is.

Last nite I watched the Wi. debate -- Gov. & Doyle.  Barb & I were very impressed with Doyle.  It seemed to me that the Gov. was evasive in his answers & I'm not saying that because JoAnna is campaign manager.  We were both very impressed with J. Doyle's presence.  How are the polls rating the chances?  It won't be long now.  

What do you think of Art Howe being the new manager. That's what the papers say -- it can't be announced til after the World Series.  To me he seems like a mild mannered man -- just the opposite of Bobby.

I got my Christmas Club check today.  So I have money to spend & don't know what to buy.  Hint, hint!

We're changing our mind -- about going to Grove City at this time.  Now we want to go to Erie in 2 weeks on a Friday.  Kim went to Erie last Sunday & Lar went to Nancy & Jay's to watch soccer.  They are all avid fans of soccer.

Sun. the 27th

When I went to bed last nite, I was sure San Fran had won the Series.  It was nice to hear this A.M. that there is a game tonite -- there is still hope.

Last Friday  Ray Forstrum said he had visited Gary Risher & now he is in a wheelchair.  I can't remember the name of his problem but his feet swell & it is hard to walk.  I'm sure he misses the congregation because they are good people to help & now it places them in an odd situation.  We didn't reject him -- he rejected us.

I've had an easy day.  Each one makes his own lunch & since Dale doesn't necessarily want a big meal, we had Pizza Hut pizza & salad, the only thing I had to make.

Diane Himes Darling's youngest had a baby, a boy.  They live in Columbus, O. while her husband goes to school. Chris & his wife have a daughter & are expecting a son in Dec.  He is a pharmacist at Crone's.  Lois showed me a picture in church of the new baby.

I was just reading the Viewpoints section of the Buffalo Sunday paper. Buffalo Democratic mayor is backing the Republican Pataki for Governor.  Of course the Dems are made at him, but he feels Pataki has made a good start & should continue.  I bet he doesn't run for mayor again; if he does it would be hard to get the votes of the Dems.  The article surprised me.  Dale also likes to read this section.

Mon. the 27th

Warren County has a murder.  One Sheffield man shot another Sheffield man.  Drugs were found in the killer's home so maybe it was over drugs.  Both in mid 30s.

This afternoon I walked over town to cash a check for November expenses & then across the street to cash my Christmas Club check.  A nice day for a walk & later on in the week the weather doesn't sound that good.

Finally tried the Schwan brats tonite.  Their recipe said to put frozen shredded home fries on the bottom, then kraut & finally the brats on top.  Barb didn't like the idea of fries covered with kraut.  So I cooked them separately.  Added some olive oil, onion, salt & pepper to the fries -- covered them U& baked them in the oven.  Delicious!  Put the brats on top of the kraut & spinkled brown sugar over the kraut first.  Barb had gotten good rolls & I put my brat in a heated roll & covered it with kraut.  Ummm!  Easy, too.

I was very pleased with the outcome of the World Series.  Stayed up til the last out!  Didn't watch the celebrating.

On Thursday Sheila & Sue will come over to show me their Halloween get up.  They take the day off & visit around:  nursing homes, friends, etc.  So I'll make 3 kinds of cookies & share some with them.  They are very clever in planing their costumes.  Their masks are expensive ones & very real looking.

Tues Oct. 29th -- Thinking back 53 years when Paul was born.  It was a full nursery, many babies born, & your parents were very happy.  My mother was with us & then she went to Portland to visit her brother & wife.  George & Victoria Randolph.  At that time he was a chaplain at Emanuel Hospital.

They finally finished paving 3rd Ave. & just in time as the coming weather doesn't sound very good.  Cooler & chances of now.  Hope it doesn't hit us.

We aren't going grocery shopping til after 4 pm.  Reason at 5 pm Bon Ton starts a sale with prices off items we're interested in.  And this is Dale's late nite.

Thurs the 31

Sheila & Sue were just here in their costumes.  Dressed as motorcycle guy's "babes".  They have soft pig's face masks that are handmade in Buffalo, leather jackets & pants, boots & "tattoos".  Fake of course.  I had cookies for them.  They went to Burger King for lunch & people waited for them to take off their masks but they didn't.  Could eat thru the mask lip openings.  They love Halloween.  Had fun last Saturday night making the rounds.  Got $90.00 in prizes.  Got your letter today but will save comments for next letter.

Thursday, September 5, 2002

Lar & Kim were over last nite -- I like Wed. night as it gives me Thurs. off before I get my hair done on Fri.  But we'll go back to Thurs. in a few weeks.  So far this A.M. I've changed my bed & started a load of wash.       Another prescription needs to be filled.  I miss D & K as there is no place to browse.  The owner of the Market St. Cafe bo't the bldg. but didn't announce any plans.  At least part of the rumor came true.

We were suppose to meet the "gang" last Fri. but Ted. B. had a funeral; Ted S (Ohio) wasn't feeling well so no get-together.  Fri. A.M. the phone rang & it was Warren saying how about lunch -- we'll come to Warren.  We went to "The Cafe" & they really enjoyed it & we were there from 12:20-2:45 & we did a lot of talking.  It was fun.  They had been to Pittsburgh to see "mama Mia" which they loved & didn't get home until 2:30 A.M.  In Sept. they go to Fla. for their family get together at Disney World.  Karen has a time share apt. there.  Later in the month they go to Worcester, Ma.  He'll perform a wedding for a relative's daughter.  In a Congregational church whose pastor left.  We make plants to get together Sept. 30.

In yesterday's USA Today there is an interesting article by a rabbi "Clergy's Ego Can Undermine Faith".  He mentions the decline of interest in the church.  In the 70's organized religion was ranked higher by the public than any other institution.  A recent Gallup Survey that people who had either "very much" or "quite a lot" of confidence in religion fell from 60% to 45%.  One dissatisfied congregant express to me, "We assume you have all the answers that we don't have."  He was surprised & answered "Being human, too, I don't' have all the answers, but here are some routes I have taken in looking for them & maybe you can try them, too."  Clergy has doubts as well & people forget that.  My comment.  He said clergy should put aside robes & collars, etc & engage members in discussion on everyday matters we all enjoy such as sports & entertainment.  That is the point of this.  The 2 Teds are retired & when we are together they should forget their self importance & enjoy the day talking, joking & having a change of pace.  AMEN!!!

I'm anxious to hear how the boys like their new schools, etc.  Isn't it fun being a parent -- the escapades & all.

The Schwan Man just came.  I noticed they had brats & decided to try them.  They have a recipe:  Brats Bake using hash browns, sauerkraut, brown sugar & brats cut 1" pieces.  Sounds interesting.  Also how to broil or pan fry.  There aer new to me.  I tired some once but I hope these will be tastier.

Nyla Thelin Luvison died Mon.  She was born April 9, 1957, one day before Dale.  So sad.  Leaves a husband & 2 daughters.

This Fri. & Sat. are Warren's Sidewalk Days.  I notice it is Thurs & Fri. this year so maybe I can see things this aft.  I'm ready to read again so I'll go to the library.

We've been watching & enjoying tennis on TV.

We haven't gotten to Grove City Outlet yet, but we hope to in Oct.  Bert will be going to NYC in Oct. so it will be easier to get away.  We'll go on a Mon.  Barb is a little concerned driving on 80 but she can do it.  She's a good driver until she gets behind someone going 35 mph on the way to the Mall via Conewango.  It upsets Dale when he gets behind a poky driver on the way home from work.  This is the fast generation.

It was nice walking to CVS & the library.  Got another book by Catherine Coulter & a new author that looked interesting.  Love & Money by Ruth Harris.

I heard on the radio that the Conewango Club plans to finish the first & second floors but not the 3rd floor.  Will put on a domed roof -- I think I heard that.  Kitchen in basement, library rooms & eating on 1st floor as befitting a men's club & the ballroom on the 2nd floor.  Will rebuild both front & side porches with pillars.  The ballroom gets a lot of use for wedding, etc. dances.  Maybe they get it air conditioned.  Larry & Kim have been there for hi school reunions & it's been very warm.

Soon, I hope, I'll be sending you an early birthday gift Paul.  I've had it for awhile.  Something I saw that you might like -- I hope.  That's all I'll say.