Sunday, August 3, 2003

We have a nest of birds in my geranium plant.  That has happened before, & the parents abandon the babies.  These are alive -- just barely.  I have watered the plants daily before I realized there was a nest.

Northwest Savings sent out letter concerning buying some of their stock.  Both Larry & Dale plan to buy shares.

Sheila & another operator are thinking of opening their own shop & have found a place. Sheila works long hours but doesn't see any increase in pay.  They haven't told Jerry yet. Sheila  & Sue each have a 1/4 share in the business & don't know if Jerry will buy them out. They both have a good clientele & that won't please Jerry a bit.  There is too much pressure there & they don't want that anymore.  Another gal is retiring the end of Aug.  She is 66 & her husband is retired.

The Mets finally played a winning game this aft.  Last nite they almost came from behind. Lost by 1 run.  A rookie won today's game.  6 ft. 6" & 245 lbs.  The wild car races should be very interesting.

Tues. the 5th

Today Barb had another test on the lump on her breast this A.M.  They took a larger sample because they can't believe it's not cancer.  We'll see!

Enjoy reading about the family reunion.  Yes, times sure have changed since we were first at the lake.  I was surprised about Darla.  Maybe she wanted to spend the time with her family.

I'm really surprised about Ruth.  She always seemed so on top of things.  You never know what life holds for you.  I'm wondering if having to sell the family home changed things for her. I'm lucky having Barb & Dale here.  It keeps me going.

Barb picked tomatoes & broccoli, green beans & there are blueberries in the bushes to pick. We have corn on hand so we'll have a veggie supper with chicken.

I got the estimates on a new roof.

Remove & replace shingles on house & garage.
Install new drip edge.
Install ice water shield.
Install 30# felt.
Install 30y shingle including stack vent boots.
Refash chimney (crumbling mortar)
$6300.00

Flat roof (off little room)
New rubber roof  1100.00
1/3 down to schedule
1/3 down to start
1/3 completion

Larry will see it on Thurs.  I like the work he did on the next door garage-- he kept at it til it was complete.

The tax bill came yesterday.  At least I have (I'm watching my soap & Barb is talking) the money for it.

It is hard to belive believe (it shocks me so I can't spell) that Andy is almost 16 & over 6' tall. With tall parents it is bound to be.  Eddie will be another one over 6' & another teenager in the family.

Interesting pictures of the library plans.  I can see the outcome clearer & the results will be wonderful.  You will have much more space for books, and the computers will be in a good place.  I love the elevator tower. This week the National Championship cancer races are in Warren.  The waters are higher due to all the rains so that will make it more difficult.  Next week they start preparing the bridge to be demolished.  I will enclose some pictures Bert took showing the results of heavy rain last week.  Take by Bert in her neighborhood.  The 15th Bert will go back to NYC for awhile.

The house next to Bert, across the St. from the Crary Art Museum, has been sold.  To a young couple -- the gal has a 2 year old.  He knows he has a lot of work ahead of him & his Dad will help him.  He doesn't have much of a job & Lois on the 7th Ave. side & Bert on the other side are concerned.  They are afraid it will be like the former owner -- making things a mess.  Not everybody is like that -- give the guy a chance, I say.

I'd like to know what I did to make Dale so fussy in keeping house.  The sink has to be spotless, etc.  Guess I should be happy & not complain.  Maybe it's me -- a guilty feeling I'm not doing all I should but then I'm almost 83  have a right to be lazy!  Ha! Ha!

Wed. the 7th

I was cleaning out the closet in my bedroom under the eaves & found the case Dad kept his robes in or are they albs.   The white ones.  I wondered what I would do with them & then I thought of Roger Thelin.  He is a lay preacher & I asked him last Sun if he could use them. He was thrilled to think he'd be wearing Dad's albs.  He picked them up yesterday & will wear one next Sun. when he preaches at Dagus Mines & Bethlehem, Ridgway.  Now I just have the stoles.

Thurs the 7th

Warren H. called last nite to let me know he won't be going to Erie on Fri. for a get together. It will just be Warren & Anna & Ted & Pat & me so we are going to the Holiday Inn in Warren.

The National Canoe & Kayak races are in Wrrn. this week.  Visitors are very complimentary concerning the beauty of the area & the river.  The one drawback is the lack of room space.  Many are camping at Chapman Dam & I'm sure Holiday Inn & Motel 8 are filled.  If they like the area, they return in 5 or 6 years & if they come again, they hope the plans for more room space will come about.  Different ones have commented the area should be pushed for tourism.

Tonite Kim said in 2 yrs. Lar & Kim, Betsy Moran & husband, Betsy 7 Michelle (Kim's friends) are planning a 2 wk. trip to Scotland & Ireland.  Kim said Dale should come.  Dale is buying $3,000 worth of Northwest stock.  He has too much money in his savings!

Sunday, July 25, 1999

Dale has been on vacation this past week working on his El Camino, tanning in the backyard & taking it easy.  Tonite we're finishing it off by going out to dinner, 6 pm reservation at Nickel Inn, with Lar & Kim.  They got home late Thus. pm after a nice week in Fla. with her sister & family.

They have 6 cats but they were closed in their bedroom so they wouldn't bother Larry...his allergy.  But both Woody & Debbie are chain smokers & that bothered both Lar & Kim.  Now they have 2 dogs & a beagle is only 6 weeks old & not trained in any way.  So Kim started to train him to go outside to the bathroom.  She bot leashes for both dogs & each A.M. Lar, Kim, Eric & I can't remember the girl's name walked the dogs.  Then the 4 of them went roller blading.  Woody & Debbie had vacations so they went different places.

Torey was a basket case.  The 1st day he spent under Lar's truck.  He improved some but the last day, he carried his toy bunny all around & tried to bury it several times during the day.  Kim came over on Fri. & Torey was excited to see us so you can imagine how he acted when Lar & Kim came home.

One of my favorite authors is M. C. Beaton & detective Hamish McBeth.  The stories are so good & not too lengthy.  I'll enclose an item from the Sun. Buffalo paper.  Also another item I forgot to enclose the last time.   Cats & libraries.

As of today the Mets are 1/2 game behind Atlanta.  Wonder what it will be next letter.  But they've been playing very well.  Have a great infield & their new pitcher Dotel, only 23, is a great one.  So now my hopes are high for the wild card.

This A.M. the Conewango Clippers, a men's chorus, sang in church.  Ray Forstom preached for Gary & he is a chorus member.  They sang many well known hymns & were well received.

Wait til you walk down 2nd Ave toward town.  The nursing home between Water & East sts. have built a high fence by one side.  When I walked home on Fri. Jack Spenser (Meth. pastor) & a neighbor were taking about it.  Jack said how do you like our "stockade".  They got a permit but the neighbors didn't know anything about it & aren't very happy.  It must be 8' high.

I'm so happy we have A.C. as this has been a long hot summer so far.  We've kept it going several days running.  Last nite it cooled off so I turned it off & today it is better & less humid.  Suppose to be cooler on Tues. & I hope it's true so I can do some baking.  Did make zucchini bread & a coffee cake.  We have lots of zucchini from the garden & I want to try a choc. zucchini cake Kim has made & Lar says it's good.  Cucumbers are also ripe & tomotoes have formed & are growing. 

Friday, April 24, 1998

The library delegation with Gov. Tommy Thompson at a bill signing

My leg is hurting again.  Since I can't take pain pills (break out in a rash) I decided to go to the chiropractor.  He is very careful in the adjusting & he also gives a heat massage.  His wife does that.  Dr. Vance & he is very good.  He wanted to see the X-ray I got last fall & the hosp. forwarded it.  He told me it shows I had 2 small bone fractures in the upper back & wondered if I ever felt any pain there.  Never did.  Probably came from lifting & they healed themselves.  Also shows a little arthrightes (sp. too lazy to check) & the sciatic nerve is what gives me the trouble.  According to last fall's time I have 2 more weeks to go.  Missed Easter Sun. church & last Sun.& I doubt if I could sit thru Confirmation Service next Sun.  Barb gets the groceries so I'm housebound & it's beginning to show on my "short fuse", losing patience with Dad & that doesn't help him.

Last Sun. we celebrated Barb's birthday & in 17 days we celebrate Lar's.  Ethel Johnson always asked about you Paul.  She said Chris will be coming for the reunion - they live in Fla.

I saw a cotton knit dress in Chadwick's of Boston catalog.  I like the min color but a gal at church has one that color so I'm choosing the apricot.  Will send for it this week.

A&E TV has "The Equalizer" at 10 AM a couple of times a week & I like to watch it.  It's on right now.

Barb has planted lettuce & peas & has more lettuce to plant plus spinach.  She is looking for ward to some good salads.  Also plans to plant beans but has to wait til it warms up - the end of May.  It warms up during the day but nites are still very cool.

We got your last letter & it was interesting reading.  Felt sorry for JoAnna & for all the work she did on the election.  But I'm sure the experience was worth the effort.  You didn't mention Eddie's special reading classes.  We are wondering what is happening there.  When does their baseball season start.  Milwaukee is doing great.  Will you get to any games.  Did JoAnna get to the home opener.  Did you hear the Mets want to build a new stadium where the Brooklyn Dodgers used to play.  But I didn't hear how it will be financed.  Go Mets!

Soon lunch time & my leg is telling me I've sat long enough.  But I wanted you to hear form us.

Saturday, June 22, 1996

Congratulations JoAnna for your work in the recent election.   It was hard work but well worth the effort.  You must have felt like you were walking on air for a long time.

This coming week will be a busy one for me as on Wed we will be 12 for lunch.  The pastors & wives we used to go out with.  I tho't we'd only be 8 but the other 2 couples heard & wanted to come.  Just hope it won't be too much for Dad.  He can always go upstairs & rest if he needs to.  Plan to serve potato salad, asst cold cuts & cheese, lettuce, tom, & onions (if they want to make a sandwich, Bean pot, jello salad, & strawberry shortcake.  (They are picking at Hatch Patch but we've had so much rain they won't last long.  T hey are delicious.)   Coffee & iced tea to complete the menu.  And rolls of course.  I have my schedule of duties all made out for Mon & Tues & Wed A.M. before they come.  They suggested hamburgers, etc. but that for me is more work.   With my choice I can have things all set & ready to serve without too much trouble.  Found a recipe for iced tea.  After the tea is ready add frozen raspberries & let thaw.  Then strain & put in refrig.  Sounds good to me & I don't care too much for it.

The garden looks so good, thanks to Barb & she loves working in it.  We've had lettuce from the garden.  Lar has supplied some of the plants & Barb planted them.

The evergreens we have by the school fence have really grown together.  Nice privacy for us.  The laurel in front of the house is so beautiful this year.  Full of blossoms for the first time.

We don't hear anything from  Rockford so I guess all must be O.K.

Gen had a birthday June 13th & she had a nice day.  They got a new liner for their pool so they can swim again.  Gen was 74.  They planned to pick strawberries last week.

We're watching baseball N.Y. at Cleveland & Cleveland is winning so far in front of a full house.  Albert Belle received an ovation when he was first at bat, and he got a double.

12 days from today & it will be the 4th of July.  Doesn't seem possible.

Kim has stopped by a few times this past week while walking Torie.  We have a cup of coffee & chat.

Not much going on but wanted you to hear from us.