Saturday, July 15, 2000

It's your big party day & looking at the Weather Channel it looks like you have a nice day.  Not with us -- it's raining but it isn't in Boston & I hope the rain stays away until the game is over as it's moving eastward.

Dave Blair was walking his dog & we were on the porch.  He looks like an old man with stooped shoulders & the start of a pot belly.  His step children are a throw back of the hippy.

Last week I was watching a TV program "How's That Made".  It showed how the frying pan was made at the factory at Onconomoc (I tho't I learned how to spell it) Oconomowoc.  Home & Garden TV & it was so interesting.  Then in the USA Today there was an article on the Roto Zip tool for installing drywall made in Cross Plains.  I think you mentioned C.P. in your letters -- maybe Andy played ball there.  How they had a fire but started over & are doing well.  Another interesting article.

And Barb got a book at the library "History Matters" by Gerda Lerner, prof. of History Emerita at U of W. Madison and Barb wondered if either you or JoAnna knew her.  Think she is very interested in women's rights - think that's what Barb said.  She had the Robinson-Edwards chair of whatever you call it.

This week Lynn & family are at Chautauqua as her sister & family from Fla. are here.  So Barb has the afternoons free this week.  We didn't go to Jamestown last Fri. as thunder showers were predicted.  We're planning to go next Wed.

Tomorrow Sun. nite, we're going to Nickel Inn for a 6:30 dinner.  We like to go there once during the summer to have a nice meal & to watch the hummingbirds -- they have feeders at each window.

Fri nite's game Mets vs. Boston was so exciting & tense at times but it turned out right as the Mets won.  It was 1 hr. late in starting due to a power outage & I stayed up to the end 11:30.  It's on Fox right now & on the N.Y. channel Sun. so we get to see 3 of the 4 games.  I'm sure Gen & Ed were rooting for Boston -- their team.  The Mets are -- I don't now what!  Not winning.


Mon the 17th.

Think I made a mistake in my city -- not Oconomowoc but Manitowoc where the frying pans are manufactured.

We had a nice dinner at Nickel Inn -- I had fish stuffed cod & it was good.  Even had dessert -- lemon meringue pie.   Dale had a fudge sundae & Lar had strawberry shortcake.  Barb & Kim resisted dessert.

The wedding Kim & Lar attended had the reception at the Conewango Club & the food wasn't good.  Some kind of a pasta dish that must have been overcooked.  Most of it was returned to the kitchen.  The wedding cake was a carrot cake -- unusual but most likely their favorite.

I made fudge today (just what my waistline needs) and it came out so good.  I like it on a coffee break.

Baseball isn't as interesting as it could be, esp. with the Mets losing so many games.  I bet Bobby won't be the manager next year.  I hope not.  I'm hoping for different teams to be in the World Series but I don't have much hope.

I found a recipe for Banana Zucchini Bread that I plan to try.  It's suppose to be cooler tomorrow so I might bake (tomorrow).

We had ants coming in the house.  Dale thought they were coming in by the back door & replaced some dead wood, cleaned it out good & then cemented.  Haven't seen any more ants.  He is currently replacing the glass in the garage windows.  They look nice.

Kim won't be going to Fla. to visit her sister.  Debbie is doing OK & goes back to work on Sat.  She has used her sick & vacation days & Kim doesn't want to visit when Debbie has to work.  Her sister understands.  They'll go next year.  Kim hopes she & Lar can have a couple of long weekends before school starts again.

Tuesday the 18th.

I never have any luck using zucchini in a recipe.  I made the Ban.-Zuc bread.  It doesn't look very good but the taste is OK.

We got groceries after lunch.  Was able to go earlier as Barb is free aft. this week.

Saturday, September 25, 1999

I've done practically nothing today except watch Ryder Cup golf on T.V.  The Americans are a disappointment losing 10-6 on Sat & 14 points win.  Another disappointment are the Mets.  Can't believe how they have slipped.  The young golfer from Spain Sergio is a breath of fresh air.  He played with the Swede Jesper & they were winners.  Hope you follow golf a big so you know what I'm talking about.

Last Wed. I went out for lunch with our pastor friends.  We always have fun together.

Mon. Barb wants to go to Erie shopping.  She is now working for 3 people - all due to Kim.  And she might have another one - one of Kim's friends is losing her cleaning lady.  Barb enjoys it.

Dale is now painting the side door of the garage & the final painting of the 3 windows he fixed.  Did a nice job in them.

Mr. Curtin has his well digging rig at Camp & he hopes to start digging next week.  His 85-year-old dad works with him.  He is the one that climbs on the rig & Mr. C. is on the ground watching.

Lar took some time off to work on master bath & has the tile finished.  They have a shower ordered.  It is a larger one with a seat so you can sit down.  More elbow room.  T hat's why I like our basement shower.

Last Thurs. when Lar & Kim came for dinner I had something besides the usual chicken.  Hatch Patch was still selling corn so we had steak, baked potatoes & corn on the cob & it was delicious.  Kim had some a week ago & they didn't like it so we were lucky.  It was our goodbye to summer meals.

Can't believe that Fri. is Oct. 1.  Before you know it, Paul, you'll be celebrating your 50th birthday.  How time flies.  That means I'll be 1 year closer to 80 & that is harder to believe.  That's old!

Kim was telling they have a new boy who is from Union City.  He assaulted 3 teachers there & they were glad to get rid of him.  How lucky can Sheffield be to inherit him.  And some people think teachers have a soft job & get too much money.

Dale was saying one fellow at work knew someone working at Eisenhower Hi School in the cafeteria & due to the shortage of substitute teachers they asked this gal to sub.  She refused saying I couldn't do that.  That's scraping the barrel all right.

Sun. aft.

The golf is great this aft. with single play & the Americans are making the putts.  If they should win it will be a great overcoming.  I almost wanted to skip church but my "inner voice" said "no!"  And I obeyed it & was glad I did.

What has happened to Wisconsin - I thought they were a better team, but they're losing.  Has Andy noticed Penn State has been winning - at least so far.  Yea, go Penn State!  They have a very loyal alumni - they come from all over & tickets are hard to get to the games.

Saw the lawyer & the new deed to the house is soon ready to be signed.  To be divided evenly between you 4, or the heirs.  We changed it to "heirs" & Mr. Swanson wondered about the daughters-in-law.  I said there's no problem there.  He asked because so many mothers-in-law don't like or get along with theirs.  No problem.  I have 2 wonderful "daughters-in-law".

Just checked & Buffalo is ahead 16-0 in the first half.  Barb is happy.

Guess this covers the news here.  Nothing too exciting goes on here.

P.S.  Ruth called to tell that Stella fell &  broke her wrist (in a cast) & her upper left leg.  She will have her leg operated on Mon. the 27th.

Ruth is fine.  Has had her house painted & a new roof.  New rug for the porch.

David will start a new job (chaplain) Oct. 17th in Mpls.  Have to sell their home & by a new one there.  Be nice for Stella to have him close.

Sunday, September 19, 1999

Chip off the old block

I'm watching football.  Saw Pitts. get their TD & then I switched to Fox & Green Bay.  So I'll keep touch with both teams.

Penn State had us worried yesterday but they got the win with a great pass.  I agree with Cindy - Penn State is the team for Andy!  Can't remember the school Albert favors.  Time will tell.

Maybe Larry had a hard time adjusting to civilian life with no wife to help so he found help on the internet.  Just have to hope it will work out & family will still love him.

Dale has 3 of the garage windows almost completed.  The 2 facing Careys will have to wait til next year.

Mike Brindis asked Lar why he was always working.  He said "Is it to pay off the Meata?"  Lar said, "No, it's paid off."  "Is it to pay off your truck?"  "No, it's paid for."  "Is it to pay off the mortgage on the camp?"  "No, it's paid off."  But Mr. Curtin (teacher) was coming to camp on Fri. last, with his rig to dig a new well for the camp.  So that will be another good accomplishment.

Kim went to a yard sale & saw a chair & foot rest selling for at least $150.00.  Kim liked it but not the price.  The owner had just had new springs, etc. put in it & recovered with nice material.  It didn't sell & the owner wanted to get rid of it & told Kim she'd take $50.00 for it & Kim took it.  Haven't seen it but did see a picture of it & it's beautiful & goes so well in the back room.

They got the shower for their bedroom & that will be a winter job for Lar.  They have the tile.  Think I told you about it.  It was left from work on Crary Museum (where we had the family picture taken) & Lar got it in exchange for landscaping.  More expensive than they could afford & just the color Kim wanted.  Bartering works.

Wed the 22nd our pastor/wife group gets together at Holiday Inn.  Warren called this past Wed & said he had to see the dentist at Dental Arts & Anna would shop at the mall.  He picked me up at 11 AM & we got Anna at the Mall & went to lunch at the Penn Laurel.  It was a nice time.

Finally signed my will, living will & power of attorney.  Now I have to see the lawyer & get the house taken care of.  Always something to keep me moving.

Kerr's Furniture (on the way to Jamestown) had a sale on furniture.  Sat. Barb & I looked & bo't 2 new chairs - recliners - in a pretty rose color.  They only had 1, so they have to order them & we have to wait 8 weeks.  Dad was hard on our recliner. When I talked about getting rid of them, Kim said Mike B. could use them.  I'll need to clean one off better. Either Mike or Salvation Army.  Mike isn't too well & doesn't look at all good.  He lives along & Lar & Kim are good to him.

All for this time.

Monday, September 13, 1999

It's Mon. A.M. - 7:30 - Dale's early week.  Have a load of wash in so I'll sit & write a letter.  Yesterday I wrote letters to Gen, Millie & Edith thanking them for the good time they showed me.

Glad the boys are getting off to a good start in school.

Finally saw an ad in Big K for Pokeman.  Oct 27th a new one is coming out - Pokeman, Yellow Version & I'll get that.  It's for the Game Boy.  Has Eddie inherited Andy's G.B.   There are also Blue & Red versions.  I could get one of those also - unless he has them.  They haven't caught on here but Kim said her nephew in Fla. collects them.  Keep me informed on Christmas suggestions.  Thanks for the one you gave me for you & JoAnna.

The house where Barb is working is in the area where Lar & Kim live - around the corner north on Market. The house that looks castle-like.  Nothing has been done for 50 yrs. to update the house.  Microwave chipped, cobwebs in the windows, etc.  Old iron - sheets in sad shape, etc. etc.  Barb works 2 hrs. a day & the first day Barb spent the time cleaning the messy stove.   Lots could be done but she (owner) doesn't seem to mind the mess.  Barb was quite surprised to see the conditions.  "She" (can't remember her name) is going to N.Y.C. for 2 weeks & Barb will still work her 2 hrs.  Barb is "itching" to get ride of some of the dusty spots.  Can't see out of the kitchen window.

Dale decided he would repair & paint the garage windows.  They need to be regrouted & painted so he got a start on the 2 back windows.  5 altogether but the ones on the sides aren't as bad.

At Gen's we ate at the China Panda & the food was delicious.  Esp. good were the ribs.  A new place opened opp. the mall on Hatch Run & it is a China Panda & you can get take out so we want to try it sometime.

Barb took care of Scott & Marisa Fri. overnite as Bob's father was taken to Erie in bad condition.  An anurism (sp) & they were going to take him off life support.  He hasn't been happy since his wife died.  He had to take care of her & I suppose afterwards time hung heavy for him.  He isn't expected to live.  Bob & Lynn went to Erie.  Marisa is quite upset & stayed at the lake with Lynn's parents.  They might miss school. Marisa loses a lot of school days due to allergies & already has missed 3 days.  She is a good student & they get homework assignments.  All is well here.

P.S.
There is a "gran pappy" fryer that is a little bigger - uses 6 c. oil instead of 4 c.  What about that one?

Barb works for Bert Best.  She grew up in that house which her father built.  She was 3 when her mother died & the father married her aunt.  Bert is in her 80s & active.