Sunday, August 7, 2005

Another beautiful weekend.  I'm watching a Judy Garland music on TCM.  The Mets are on ESPN tonite.

Dale is on vacation this coming week.  Nothing special planned.

The sunflowers are beginning to bloom & the bees loves them, as well as the zinneas & marigolds.  I've never seen so many bees & have to be careful when watering the pots.

Fri the ones working for the gas co. left their "digger" on our front lawn as the work isn't completed.  Bright orange in color.  What an addition to our landscape!!!

Last Sat I made blueberry bread & it is so good.  Barb wanted a blueberry pie & she wanted me to make the crust with oil instead of Crisco.  I have a recipe so I tired it, but I don't like the results.  The filling is good but from now on I'll use my favorite crust recipe, the regular one.  This pie had the cream cheese layer & blueberries on top.  Then I made a blueberry sauce for on top of all & it is really flavorful.

Back to the movie -- Fred Astaire is in the movie.  I really enjoyed seeing a musical again.

Mon. A.M. the 9th

Our red rose bush has roses similar to American beauties.  I cut some & put them in bud vases & enjoy their beauty in the house.  Can look out at them thru the kitchen window. They have a little blight but Barb sprays them.  I might have been overwatering them.

Lar said he planted the single flower rose as they don't get the blight  But once they open they don't last.  It is not hard to care for them.

I never realized bees feeding on the sunflower could be so fascinating.  So much fund to watch them cluster around the flower.  We have 4 more to bloom.

Dale turned his mattress & I washed the matt. pad & sheets.  Now his bed is made & I have a load of towels to wash.  3 loads this A.M.  How much easier today than in my mother's day.  At least when we were kids she had the wringer washer.  No driers then.  Clothes lines.  I don't hang clothes out anymore.  Just rugs, etc. which I want to do this week when I wash the floor.

Barb is at Lynn's & Dale has gone to Jamestown.  Barb thinks Dale isn't doing enough trimming outside.  But this is his vacation & if he cares to do nothing that is fine with me. Tomorrow he will help me turn my mattress as I can't do it alone anymore.  That doesn't take any time.  As to working outside, the grass is all brown & you can't do much with the work the gas co. is doing.  That should soon be finished.  They are working on Dan Niezmik's property today.  Can't do any lawn work until the fall rains come.  The co. is suppose to see, etc. what they dug up.

Fri. A.M. the 12th

I'm home from having my hair done, took a load from the washer to the drier & put towels to wash.

Yesterday Dale washed the outside of the house.  Get the dust off after digging, etc.  The new gas meter is on the outside of the house -- in plain sight to Barb and Dale's dismay.

This is the weekend Lar & Kim are going to Niagara on the Lake with another couple.  They'll leave after lunch.  Betsy (your age) will have Torey for the weekend.  Torey loves to make the rounds of the neighbor hood, begging for food & it's always welcomed for him.  But he got "the runs" -- probably spoiled food.   So last nite Torey couldn't have "people food" as Kim wants it cleared up so Betsy won't have a problem.  The vet said to feed him ground beef & rice.  Kim said I could put a little chicken on top so he was satisfied.  He couldn't have ice cream but kept looking for it.  A couple of Beggin strips helped.  She spent $90.00 on Torey for flea medicine & something else.

Barb is experimenting with her laptop  She got onto TIME & showed me a page she copied. She's had trouble with her password for some sites.

Time for A.M. coffee.  I did smile when you told me about Andy's latest adventure.  Oh the thrill of being parents!  I'm still hearing things that happened like holding your breath to get a reaction.  Courtesy of Larry.  Do you remember!!!

I just read an article on the laptop about the Mets' Beltran & Cameron's collision on S.D. outfield.  Very interesting what the laptop, etc. can do.

October 31, 2004

Your last letter had a question.  Maybe it isn't for me to answer but I will anyway!  "Is he deserving of having cable TV installed in his room?  You be the judge!"  My answer is Andy is a r. in hi school & that means he'll be home for the next 2 years & then off to college.  and who knows what part of the U.S. he'll end up in.  So I say put cable in his room!  You mother has spoken!  Does it cost more?  We have 7 TVs on our cable .  Of course Dad & Dale put it in themselves once we were on cable.  We pay 48.98 for cable TV & I guess we get our money's worth.  '

The maze sounds very interesting.

Our electricity has gone out 3 times recently, yesterday being the 3rd time.  IT's back in 15 or 20 minutes.  It means changing clocks -- so we did it twice yesterday.  End of day light savings.

Mon. Nov. 1

This is Dale's early week so I was up early & after getting things ready for breakfast, I started to make brownies.  Why?  I got a perm today & I wanted to bring some for Sheila & Sue as a late trick or treat.  I'm glad to have curl in my hair again.

Barb wants to be at the polls early Tues. A.M.  She thinks there will be a good turnout & wants to beat the crowd.

Dale has to go to Rochester Thurs & Fri, the 4th & 5th, for schooling.  Another fellow will go with him.  He'll miss Lar & Kim on Thurs.  Yesterday Lar tilled the soil in the garden.  Barb was pleased.  She had gotten "stuff" to enrich the soil.  Hopefully we'll have summer next year so the garden yield will be better.

8:07 Election Day

I'm waiting for Barb so we can vote.  She wants to go early.  At least we can forget the TV ads & phone calls for awhile.

Warren H. called yesterday.  He doesn't have to go to the dentist on Wed.  He serves a small church & a member would like Communion on Wed. as her son is home.  So they asked if Thurs. would be OK.  I said yes -- it will make for a busy day as Lar & Kim come Thurs. nite.  I'll have the same menu with a few changes to make it easier.  Like baked potatoes for one.  I make a meal as it is easier than planning a luncheon.

Our voting is over.  I was 145.  It is a large room & 3 voting areas are in the room.  Now that I've been out I don't feel like doing anything & it's not even ( A.M.  I'll have a cup of coffee & that should spur me on.  Maybe, maybe not.

Thurs A.M., the 4th

Last nite I awoke about 2 AM & went to the bathroom, back to sleep.  Awake about 3:20. Turned over & back to sleep to be awoken by Dale turning the bedroom light on.  He was ready to go -- didn't want to wake me, but afraid I'd be made if he didn't.  He was right.  I jumped up, fixed some snacks & he was off to pick up the other fellow in Jamestown.  Now they should be in class, 8:30 A.M.  

Went back to bed for an hour & got up at 6.  I ate, read the paper, did dishes & wiped off the counters, moving things to do a good job.  Got the garbage out, had another cup of coffee & decided to write more in this letter.

Naturally Barb was very unhappy with the results of the election.  I'm sure it is the same with you folks.  Already the paper writes candidates are being thought of for both parties.  Please give us a little break from all the ads & calls.  We still got calls Tues. aft. & we had already voted.  I don't like to be interrupted when watching my soaps!!!  Too bad, huh?

It doesn't look like there will be any hockey this year.  The All Star game was cancelled.  I like to watch that -- the skills part.  They won't agree to a pay limit -- can't get the correct word.

Fri I see the dentist at 10:30 A.M. & I hope I won't have to wait too long.  Lost a filling.

Back to Tues.  I did do some work. The kitchen cabinets needed cleaning.  I used the orange 409, spray it on, clean with a sponge & wipe it off with an old towel.  Voila!  A nice shine & not too hard to do.  So they look nicer for company.  Hollertz's don't go much for desserts.  I made the Russian Tcakes, one of many names they have, as Dale like them & took some today for a snack.  Fri. aft. I hope to make Spritz but I'll also make a pumpkin pie so I'll have dessert for supper.  I got lazy & tried Pillsbury pie crust & it is good.  I won't use it all the time, but it sure makes it easier.  Esp. if in a hurry.  OK so I'm lazy!  Old ladies have a right to be lazy.  I'm making a pie for supper -- trying the cranberry pecan pie using the Pills. crust!  Better get going.  

Still Thurs.  Kim was more herself tonite even saying Torey is getting old.  Maybe she has come to realize animals don't last forever either.

They liked the cranberry pecan pie.  It is good, but the crust stuck a bit to the pan. Sometimes I grease or Pam the pan but not this time.  

Three weeks from today we'll be eating turkey.

Sunday, October 24, 2004

We didn't get your birthday pkg. mailed until Mon. the 25th so I hope it gets there on time.

Some people are so busy criticizing others they forget the Bible says "All have sinned  fall short of the glory of God."  Rom. 3:23 & in the case of the Samaritan woman "If any one of you are without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."  John 8:7.  But too many of the moral righteous forget that.  I have a new Bible the New International Bible & it is the same as you quoted.  I really like this modern version of both the O.T. & N.T.  At least something got you to read some verses in the Bible!

We went to Jamestown & are really into Christmas shopping.  It is fun.

I ordered a sweater set form Chadwick's & the sleeves are way too long & I plan to do what you did.  Wash it & hope the sleeves shrink some.

Patty Welsh Phillips is coming steadily to church with her friend & today he went to communion with her.  I hope it works out.  And John Bjorkquist is in a nursing home now. He has a bad heart & has been in & out of the hospital.  Too much for Phyllis to care for him.

Warren called Thurs. nite -- he had to see the dentist & wanted me to go to lunch with them. I told him I tried to call them & they had been visiting in New England.  He has another appt. for Nov. 10th & they will come for lunch here.  I'll use hte same menu I had for Benson's.  I couldn't go on Fri.  We went to J.town.

Barb has been looking thru all her snapshots & she has some nice ones of hte family & when Andy & Ed were little.  Ones she took.

I was glad Boston won the first game.  I went to bed so didn't see the finish.  Barb did.  And so did Marie Mathis.  She said she watched it in bed as she has a TV in her bedroom.  Good for her.  She was Dad's age, I'm sure.

I've been watching Philly at Cleveland & they are in overtime.  Cleveland has improved a lot this year, but they lost by 3 pts.

The other nite Lar said he watched "Desperate Housewives" & no one else had.  Kim falls asleep & misses it.  I'm in bed at 10 pm & Barb & Dales watches other TV.

Green Bay is winning against Dallas.  I'm sure a lot of hi fiving is going on at your house. Now I know there is they just got another TD by Ahman Green.  41-14.  And it's a home game.

I'm glad for you, that the library got most of the money they hoped fdor.  At lesat when you are busy the time goes faster.  But I guess it is nice to catch your breath now & then.

Wed pm the 27th.

I tried mixing Progresso Veggie soup with bean & macaroni.  Add paprika & it was really good.  Dale liked it.

We're hoping Boston will win tonite -- if not tonite -- another nite.  They won't give up.

I finally finished another puzzle. It is very pretty.



Thurs A.M.  Boston did it & in 4 games.  What a victory.  I felt bad for St. Louis but they couldn't tame the Red Sox.  It must be a real let down for those hitters who couldn't do anything.   I hear the Mets might choose Willie Randolph for their manager.  Wonder how that will work out.  I hope better than for the Orioles manager this past season, & I can't think of his name -- a former Yankee.

Another nice day, the 3rd in a row.  We were able to see the lunar eclipse clearly last nite.

Hope you had a wonderful birthday.

Kim was very quiet tonite.  She left first & Lar walked Torey home.  After she left, Barb asked what was wrong.  Torey has a limp & Kim is concerned.  He is 12 yrs old & shows his age. Kim walks him more than he is able & that upsets. her.

Saturday, June 30, 2002

Today has been a lovely day & I took advantage & did some baking.  Coffee cake, Danish rolls, & banana bread that will go in the freezer.  I was down to 3 Danish in the freezer.  Also made brownies.

Paul, I didn't forget!  Don't you remember before Lar & Kim's 15th wedding anniv. you called & wondered if I'd get them a 30.00 gift certificate from The Cafe & I did.  That is the $50.00 I was talking about.  You promised to send a check to me when you wrote!

Warren had a big fire you'll be reading about when you get the Wrrn. paper.  Conewango Club.  Started in the early A.M. hours -- roof fell in & parts of the porches came down.  Main parking lot was closed off as well as 2nd Ave. so parking was at a premium.  The library got some smoke but they don't it think it did any damage.  It was closed yesterday.

Too many distractions trying to write a letter on the porch.  So I'm inside now.

Mon. July 1.

This was the day I went to the dentist & I hope nothing happens before May 2003, my next checkup.   This aft. we went to the Mall & then grocery shopping.  Wanted to go today rather than tomorrow as it was will be more crowed crowded then.  (I'm watching TV again.)  And it is suppose to be hotter so I can stay inside.  Bad enough today.

Barb picked 8 qts of strawberries.  She froze 2 qt. for smoothies.  I used 2 qt. & made jam this aft.  Looks nice.  And we have berries for shortcake & maybe a pie.

Did I already write -- Lar & Kim will be at a friend's house on the 4th so they will come for Sun. dinner.  The following Wed. Kim will fly to visit her sister & family in Fla. for almost a week. Lar didn't care to take vacation then.

Tonite I made tossed salads with strips of chicken & rolls.  Mine was smaller than Dale's & it was tasty.  We also have left over pizza from last nite.  Dale said the heat doesn't make him that hungry so he prefers lighter meals & he likes salads.

Wed. the 3rd

Just wrote a note to Ruth.  Got ambitious.

Barb helped me finish the puzzle. I'll probably start another one.  In this hot weather I need a puzzle to work on.

The rabbits have been eating the beans Barb planted so she'll use a wire fence to protect them.

She says the bifocals work great for knitting & watching TV.  Wish I liked to knit.  She does such nice work.

Kim stopped over yesterday -- she drove.  Too hot for Torey to walk.  She walks AM's when it's cooler & not as long walks -- Torey is getting older, too.

When I saw the Dr. my blood pressure & thyroid were fine.  And I don't need a blood test before my next appt.  And the tooth that broke off is fixed so I'm fine for awhile.

The freezer we have isn't frost free & the frost accumulates & builds up on the food.  So next winter when it is cold I'd like to get a new one & it has to be frost free!  In fact, Sears has them on sale now but there is no way to store the frozen food.  I told Dale of my idea, thinking he would say you don't need another one, but he agreed with me.  You have to be careful or the door doesn't completely close & then things melt & that isn't good.  So when the temp is 0, we'll get one, store the food on the porch & wait for the delivery.

Nothing special happening for us on the 4th.  We'll have a cook out & enjoy the day.

Fri. Ted & Pat Benson will pick me up & we go out to lunch at 5 Forks Restaurant on the way to Tionesta.  It is buffet & salad bar with good desserts.  On rt. 62  It will be nice to see everyone as I missed the last get-together.

We've been watching tennis from Wimbledon -- it's been interesting.

July 4th

We were awakened at 6 A.M> with 6 "BOOMS" going off to signal the start of the Fourth.  They Jaycees are still in charge but like everything else the manpower is slim & how much longer they'[ll be in charge is a question.

I made a potato salad this A.M. & we'll have hamburgers.

It's too hot to sit on the porch so I'm inside.  Dale is tanning outside.  My rose bushes are blooming.  I love them.

Monday, August 7, 1995

Received your most interesting letter today.  We look forward to pictures of Andy & Eddie in tuxedos.  This A.M. I sent pictures off that Barb took when the boys are here.  Also took a longer walk & went by the Bed & Breakfast run by Mr. Scott - former Beaty teacher, now retired.

It cooled off some & we've had rain so this A.M. I made a batch of cookies & are in the fridge & also 2 batches of Danish.  I'll either bake tonite or early  Tues A.M.   Good to be baking again.

Yesterday we watched the Nascar race at Indy on E.S.P.N tape.  I just watched the last few minutes to see Earnhardt get the win.

We also went out to see what Lar has accomplished in the house.  He has most of the partitions up so you get an idea of room size.  Next in line is the wiring.  It looks nice even now.  In the kitchen the 2 windows facing East eventually will come out for sliding doors to get to the deck.  But that's in the distant future but it's nice to have what's necessary for the doors.

Did Barb's note tell you that Lynn & Bob bot a 2nd hand car so his dad, who is 70, won't have to do so much driving & picking up of Marissa, Barb, etc.  Barb will get to work in time to take Marissa to school & do other things.  She'll have the car Mon-Fri.

Also returned books to the library this A.M. & got 2 more.  One a new author.  W. J. Burley.   Wycliffe & the Dunes Mystery.  British setting & it's a good story.  Also another book by Robert B. Parker - setting in Boston.  But he uses such vulgar language - don't know why that has to be.  Guess that's why I prefer my British authors & their detective themes.

We've had delicious corn from Hatch Patch.

In Good Housekeeping mag. there is a page on the 5 best farmer's Mkt. & Madison's is one of them.  I remember the day we went there.

One Thurs nite when Kim came with Taury, Taury heard a noise from the school & ran to the back yard.   Kim said he tho't the boys could be there but they weren't.  Tell the boys Taury misses them.

I'm trying a new recipe for supper.  Brown pork chops, add sliced onion & chopped cabbage.   Pour over 1 c. tom. juice & seasonings.  Sounds good so I hope it tastes good.  Meal planning gets to be a big chore!

Tues A.M.  9:45.

I was up at 5:15 AM & baked 2 batches of Danish & a batch of cookies.  Washed towels & have another load in the washer.

Just finished a cup of coffee & a roll while sitting on the porch to dry my hair.  Started reading Double Deuce by Rbt. Parker & it's going to be another good one.  Finished the other mystery last nite.  

It's a BEAUTIFUL day - no humidity, lots of blue sky & a nice breeze.  But more heat by the end of the week.

Now it's Wed & another beautiful day.

Don't think I mentioned Lar put in a new hot water heater for us.  The pilot lite kept going off & he said it was rusting out so it's good he said he'd do the job for us.

Fri A.M.  I'll mail this on the way to get my hair done.  At least it lets you know all is well here.

Monday, January 30, 1995

This is letter writing time - no soaps thanks to O.J. on T.V.

I had thank you letters to write.

1)  My sisters for flowers & Gen for 50.00.

2)  Arlene Hornstrom for 25.00.

3)  Betty Casey for flowers - a basket of spring flowers.

4)  Hessel Valley Luth. Ch. for a beautiful bouquet of large yellow mums & lilies.

5)  Carol Anderson for a gold trivet with white enameled flowers on it.  It is so pretty.

6)  This was past due.  Kim's Aunt Connie paints & from a winter scene she painted she had Christmas cards made & sent us some thru Kim.  They came too late for5 '94.  They are pretty & I finally sent a note.  

So with this I've written 9 letters & notes with 2 to go.  Seeing Stella is in Beloit I can cover Stella & Lila & family with 1 letter.

I have to write to Ruth & Ruthie.  Signe called & her card will be late & we haven't heard from June yet. We received $115.00 in cash gifts.

Signe will be moving in with Jim & Carolyn.  He will be 62 or is 62 & hasn't found work.  Signe pays 500.00 a mo. in rent so she can help them out instead.  I think it's probably for Signe's good also as she is getting so forgetful.   Paul has her car.

I got the quilt & bed skirt on & it looks so nice.  Makes our room brighter.

Barb bot an anniv. cake & she tho't it might be too large but every crumb was gone by Sun.  Got it at Comet & it was delicious.  Kim & Barb made the events at t his end very nice so we have good memories.  We received 50 cards.  Some each day last week & 4 today.

I took pictures of the 5 different bouquets.  Keep them watered daily so they should last 2 weeks.  Yours is very pretty.  None are similar.  All came from Ekey's - 2 at one time.  Yours & my sisters.

We are the 3rd ones of the Nelson siblings to celebrate 50 years.  Gen & Ed might make it as they celebrated 45 last Oct.

Howard Ford's were married Jan 26th a year later so their 50th is next year.

We "dog sat" Taury last Sat. while Lar & Kim went to a soccer game in Buffalo.  He was good.  Nancy came & took him for a romp with their dog & was to take him to Lar & Kim's but she couldn't unlock the door so we got him back for awhile.  So he got a taste of our supper & more spoiling.

Thanks for your part in making our anniversary such a nice one.  Quiet but even at Lar's, Dad was anxious to get home.  We were there til after 9.  Dale had to go to Rochester the Mon. before but only for 1 day this time so he was with us after all.  He tho't, at first, it would be later in the week.

I'm putting together a 1000 pc. puzzle & it's calling!

Monday, December 1994

I'm making an easy supper - Betty Crocker's Hamburger Helper Swedish Meatballs.  Looks good.  I want an easy supper as I have 4 kinds of cookies chilling in the refrig & plan to bake them tonite.

2 suggestions for Dad & me.

For me.   Video.   Gaslight or 42nd St.


For Dad:  The Great Caruso.


You can call using 800#.  I'll enclose pages, etc.

Sometime later - the cookies are all stored away for munching & the meal was good.  Barb doesn't care for meatballs but these had a sauce with noodles & it was tasty & so simple to make.  She surprised me by eating the meal.

On Mon nites I enjoy the pregame activities on ESPN.

Lar & Kim will come for supper tomorrow (Tues) nite instead of Thurs. as they are going to the soccer banquet at Holiday Inn.  Warren had its first soccer season & did well.  It is supported by parents & friends.  School has no money for it.

It looks like Buffalo will be the loser tonite & Dale will be happy.  We're going to look for a radio controlled car for Andy at Radio Shack.  T hey are advertised in their ads.  I'll mail this after tomorrow as Barb gets off early on Tues. & we'll make a quick trip to the Mall.  (We got a smaller one for Eddie - we figure he'd want one, too.  Got a more expensive one for Andy.)

Back from a quick trip to the Mall.  Got the Game of Life & Snow White.  Saw the video Black Beauty & think I'll get that too.  Next time we'll have more time & then I'll look for for Jr. Blue at the Toy Store.

Tonite after supper we decided to check out the cars to make sure they work OK.  Both work fine.  But Taury didn't like them.  Eddie's just goes forward & backward but Andy's turns & does more things.  Lar made the car go in circles & so was Taury & he was barking & I was laughing so hard.  Barb & Lar said we didn't get gifts like these when we were kids.  With just 2 grandchildren we can do a little more - for the time being anyway.

Will get this on the way & bring it to a close.  I'm waiting for suggestions.  Hint!  Hint!  Hint!

[Christmas photo card poses.]