Sunday, June 12, 2005

Last nite I was set at 7:10 p, to watch the Mets vs. LA-A interleague play.  There was a rain delay of about an hour or so.  At 11 pm I went to bed not knowing the outcome.  Was I ever surprised this A.M. when I turned to ESPN2 & saw the Mets won 5-3.  I missed the exciting ending.  But I saw it today when they reviewed it before today's game -- and the Mets lost this aft.

Noticed that Atlanta lost 11-5 so that helped ease the pain.  Pittsburgh also lost in the 13th inning.  I've been watching their games during the week & they are really improving.  and their announcers are more laid back & don't talk all the time so I like them.

We're really had a week of hut humid weather.  We started 9:30 services but it was still warm so I had enough.  When I got home I turned on the A.C. & closed the windows.  It has been very comfortable.  It is suppose to cool off by Wed. -- just in time for me to do something.

I can see you are getting ready for your party working outside so the yard looks nice.  And having the rugs cleaned so the inside looks nice.  It will be a busy several weeks for you folks.

I have to correct myself.  Scott did go to school last Fri.  Lynn said he had to.  Lynn's mother gave Barb a puzzle she got for the lake but it was too hard & they gave up.  It was very hard but Barb finished it.  I know I never could have done it.  Too many similar pieces in shapes & colors.

In politics, Buffalo is really having money problems.  They were audited by the state & if they don't get a workable budget by Tues. the 14th a state control board will take over & have the power to control the money.  They have a high deficit.  They cut taxes but not the spending.  It is a mess & changes will be coming.  They lost their credit rating.  Some say no increase in taxes, others say we must have one to get out of this mess.  I look forward to WGRZ 5 pm news.

Barb told me Scott had the choice of working with a tutor, most likely a teacher, or with Barb.  He chose Barb.  They still have to make a schedule, etc.  Lynn wants to take Scott off his meds this summer but Barb said he'll never be able to be still & attentive if she does.  He can't be without it if you want to accomplish anything.

Mon A.M.

I just called Gen to wish her a happy birthday.  It is hard to have much of a conversation with her.  I always ask about her cat.  She seems to know it was her birthday but not her age.

I wasn't surprised you use butter to fry your breakfast.  I always buy butter when it is on sale & put it in the freezer.  I always have butter in the butter dish & use it for Christmas baking.  Either Land o Lakes, Quality brand & Wegman's brands.  So I use it & olive oil.

This is Dale's early week so I was dressed & put out the glass & pop cans to be collected early.  Then I got Dale's sheets, etc. & had a load going before Dale left.  Now the 3rd load -- towels -- are in the dryer.  Watered my plants on the porch & now I'm taking it easy.

Called Kim to find out when we should celebrate her birthday.  It will be this Thurs.  Asked about the menu & she would like hamburgers & potato salad.  She doesn't eat desserts -- she said:  make something Larry likes.  Ill make carrot cake & she can blow out the candles.  Also tom. lettuce etc. & fruit salad.  It is suppose to cool off so I can bake, as I already mentioned!

Barb wants to go to Jamestown Wed, & she'll get ground meat there.  I'm not sure if I'll go.

We got our groceries & Barb stopped at Bert's to deliver what she wanted.  I saw Kim working outside the carriage house so I walked over for a few moments.  Sat. nite the Hospital Guild had a party at Bets field & Lar & Kim always go with Betsy M. & her husband.  They had a great time.  A large tent, delicious food & dancing.  It's a money maker - -you'll read about it when the Wrrn paper arrives.  Also last Wed-Sat there was a ribs festival downtown Wrrn. & that always brings out a crowd.  Lar & Kim went Wed. nite for ribs.

Holiday Inn has the Sun. A.M. breakfast buffet again so maybe we'll go one Sun.  Kim would have gone with us last year if she'd known.  But it was a spur of the moment thing when you were here.

Barb went to Jamestown this aft & as she was turning onto Rt. 62 coming home, she was stopped for speeding.  She was going 68 M.P.H.  She will have a fine to pay.

We finally got some rain after supper & it cooled things off.  Finally!

Hatch Patch has strawberries & Barb wants a strawberry pie for Thurs.

Wed the 15th -- 2 pm

I surprised myself today.  We awoke to cooler weather so after breakfast I made use of ripe bananas & rolling out & baking a pie shell.  Then I cleaned the bathroom, washed towels, & tho't about lunch.  B.L.T's.  After lunch I looked at the kitchen floor & decided it would look better if I washed it, so I did.  And it looks better.  Now I'm resting & have only supper to think about.

I'm still finding out about my children.  Can't get her first name but Mrs. Jenkins from First Luth. called yesterday.  She visits the nursing home & talked to Rose.  Rose couldn't remember if Barb was still in the Navy.  Mrs. J. said she'd call me & find out.  She asked about you -- she remembers you & Rick Nasman went to their Youth Group, (most likely to see Mary Sandblade) I don't remember hearing that.

Thurs. aft.  Watching the U.S. Open golf.  A hard course.  Got my pot. salad & strawberry pie made this A.M.

Monday, August 5, 2002

Andy pitching at Reedsburg baseball tournament (1st of 4)

Another hot, humid day.  They keep saying a break is coming & I hope they are right when they say it's tomorrow.  Low overnite temps & daytime in the 70's.  I can hardly wait.  The Weather channel tells how many days over 90 for Boston, NYC, Phila, and D.C.  Phila about 32 days & around the same for D.C.  Glad for the AC.  But it doesn't do much for upstairs.  Same in the winter-- I have a cold bedroom.

I meant to send you an article on the Rigas with a Buffalo flavor & I forgot.  Used the wrong envelope.  Will try to remember this time.

The beans didn't work out in the garden.  But the zucchini & cucumbers give up plenty to eat.

Last Sat. was suppose to be cooler so I was up at 6 A.M. & made a cake, a coffee cake, banana bread (to use overripe bananas) & zucchini bread to use extra zucchini.  The early start helped but I was hot by the time I leaned it all up.  Not mad hot, just hot hot!  It tastes good & nice to have on hand.  This week I'll have to replenish my Danish for the freezer & make another zucchini bread.  It's really a recipe I like.

Barb has been sanding the rail on the porch by the little room.  She will paint it & also the roof part which has peeled.  Dale will take a week off in August & he plans to plan the garage door.

James Lynch will have some competition after all.  A woman, Sheila Brooker, will run against him.  Put up by the Dem. party in place of the one who resigned.  I'll vote for her.   We still have to live thru his TV ads.  Lots of people are getting sick of him & his picture is always in the paper.  What an ego!

Tues the 6th

Yesterday I finished work by 10 A.M. & it was till hot & humid so I read a book by Judith McNaught & finished it by 4 pm so I had a really enjoyable day & read a great book.

Yesterday late aft. It cooled off & it was a good sleeping nite.  This A.M. I( dusted my bedroom & cleaned the bathroom.  After cleaning up & phoning in 2 prescriptions I walked to the library, got 2 books & picked up 2 meds.

Buffalo paper reviewed a new book by Diane Mott Davidson.  3 of her books were on the shelf, but not the new one, so I chose Killer Pancake.  The write up said recipes are included in her books so that is a nice extra.  Also got 2 book (last Fri.) by Ralph McInerny who writes Father Dowling & Andrew Broom mysteries.  So I read varied themes & enjoy them all.  I wrote down the names of the Madison author you mentioned & will look & see if I can find her book.

Lynn's folks celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary & all the family was home for it.  Now they are on a trip to Italy & then will take a cruise.

Thurs. the 8th

The past few days have been super days so we can have an oven meal.

I have to say "thank you" to Paul & you ask "Why?"  Yesterday I fixed chop suey for supper & as I was finishing a book & then doing my crossword puzzle, the liquid ran out & the meat started to burn before I smelled it.  I was able to save most of the meat &wondered what liquid to use.  Went looking for beef broth & noticed I had a beefy mushroom soup on the shelf.  And that is why I'm thanking you Paul because in one of your letter you mentioned using that soup.  It sounded good to me so I got some & id did the trick.  My dinner was rescued.  I had never noticed it before on the store shelf.  It is on my shopping list.

Fri A.M.  Ready to eat breakfast but wanted to sign off & send out love to all.

Just wrote checks for the house tax & personal tax & the newspaper.  That's off my mind now.

Sunday, August 1, 1999

The Mets finally beat the Cubs in 13 innings & what an exciting & frustrating time.  Both teams used most of their players & it seemed neither team wanted to win.

It's finally cooling off.  Just turned off the A.C. & opened doors & windows.  Nice breeze.

Today at 4 pm Lar & Kim were entertaining the Crary Home residents at camp.  Grilling hamburgers, having corn, etc.  Fri. Lar made the final payment on the Miata.

If I read your letter correctly you leave on Thurs. for La.  And you should have enjoyed a visit from Tony & family.  Friendships are so nice to keep up & a visit is even nicer.  And you have another one to look forward to.

Gen called the other nite & they've made good use of the pool during the hot spell.  They have blueberry plants & are enjoying the berries & blueberry pie.

Aunt Esther was 100 in June & is bedridden & they have a tube to feed her.  Warren (cousin) is trying to get her off the tube but it takes time, etc.  He must have power of attorney but it requires permission so it takes time.  A living will is best.

To see our downtown area today is sure different from what you saw on the internet.  I think the Busy Bee has changed hands & Lar thinks the Texas lunch is still there but I think there is a new owner also.  A popular place to eat here is the Plaza.  It is really busy & noisy during the lunch hour.  Good food.

Aug 7.

Now it's Sat. nite & I'm watching the Mets beat L.A.  The Mets are really hot now & I love it.  [They were ahead, but lost.]

It has cooled off a lot & it is so enjoyable, especially sitting on the front porch.  Good for baking & I've made cookies & rolls.

Mon. the 9th, Barb, Kim & I are going to Jamestown for lunch & shopping.

Got your letter today.  Sounds like Tony & family's visit was a great success.

I'll be anxious to hear all about your trip to La.

When does football practice start for Andy.  What will Eddie be doing - probably soccer.  How's his bike riding coming.

Reread the letter & realized I've neglected to finish it sooner.  Last Tues. Betty Casey & I went to lunch.  Every booth & table was in use at the Plaza so we went to Penn Laurel & had a nice lunch.  Much quieter there & more class.

We have the railing up on the front porch steps.  It looks nice I think, but it didn't satisfy Barb.  It is narrower as it was fastened to the sidewalk rather than the steps.  Hard to explain but we have a railing now that's the main thing.  Don't want anyone falling or losing their balance.

Now it's Sun. aft. the 8th & I'll get this finished.  Since church is at 9:30 for the summer I can read the Buff. paper before lunch.  I'm sending 2 articles I think might interest you.  One on Frank Lloyd Wright's window displays in Buff.  And the one by an intern Dr. who has an article monthly & I fins them very interesting.  May you will - interesting story on "smells".

The Mets didn't have it last nite & lost to L.A.  Better luck this aft.  They come on - oops they are already on & I missed the first 10 min - how could I do that, esp. when I was watching the "enemy"!!!

Barb finished the outside door in the little room upstairs.  Now she's working on preparing the tin roof for painting.

Betty Casey told me her son Mike decided to go to college 20 years after high school.  Had served in Vietnam so he got the G.I. Bill & he graduated with honors from one of the U.W. schools.  He lives in Eau Claire.  I think he's in some kind of youth work.  I'm sure you remember him.

School starts here the 31st.  When do the boys go back to school.  Is Andy getting excited about going to a new school.  Will Eddie be coming home instead of after school - can't think of the correct term, but you know what I mean - I hope.

Better end this.

Sunday, July 4, 1999

How are you surviving the weather.  The 90's are too warm for me.  We kept the A.C. on late nite & will tonite as it doesn't cool off much.  I stay inside.  We have had some rain, much needed rain.

We don't take in any of the Fourth activities, except to hang the flag on the porch.  I watched the Mets get beat again on Sat.  I still have hopes for today.

Last nite Nascar had a race & I watched part of that before going to bed.

How is the reunion.  I'll be anxious to read about it.

I notice that Andy usually calls me when the Mets play the Braves & usually the Mets are on the losing side.  The Mets have a better 3rd baseman in Robin Ventura than Andy's favorite Skipper Jones - can't think of his nickname.  Andy & I could have a good discussion on that topic!  I think the Atlantic broadcasters played him & the team, maybe I should say praised, so much it turned me off on them, even they are good.

The pens are so light, it's hard to read the letter.  This is better.

Wed. I go out to lunch with Bensons. Hollertzs, Deckers, & Fostroms.  Warren & Anna will pick me up & we'll go to Holiday Inn for lunch.

Barb started painting my room.  She's divided the job into 3rds & the 1st 3rd is completed.  The West wall.  The other 2 have doors & windows to break it up.  Looks very nice & I like the blue color - light to med. blue so it's not too dark.

It looks like the corn at Hatch Patch will soon be ready.  Grows fast in this weather.  Read in the paper one farmer in the Erie area has corn to sell already.  They usually say "knee high by the 4th of July".

Paul, do you remember Roxy Sasserson from church.  Don't remember her married name - she is sec'y at Sheffield & Kim told me that her oldest son & wife had a baby recently.  In the 3rd month, the Dr. tho't something might be wrong & something was wrong & the baby is a mongoloid.  The first born.  I might have had a few problems with you kids but at least the 4 were normal.  And I'm very proud of you all now, as I was then.

With that I'll bring this to an end.

Saturday, July 10, 1993

All we do is sit so I'll write a letter.  Will enclose one from Edna as it is "newsy".  It's never been as hot as it is - doesn't even cool down at nite.  Not even a sheet is needed.  We've had 5 days of temps in the 90's & humidity, too.  I just do what is necessary & then sit by the fan.  But I'm thankful it's not the flooding of the Midwest & the damage that follows.

July 4th we were at Lar & Kim's camp & the screened in porch is so nice.  It is the small porch on the side.  Dr. Jay, Nancy & their 4 daughters were also there.  They went in the stream to cool off & had a great time.  Their dog (from the same litter) was there & Ginger & Taury have more fun playing together.  They also enjoyed the water.  The girls made "Some Mores" & enjoyed toasting the marshmallows.  It was a nice time.  Jay & Nancy are very down to earth.

Lar & Kim leave the 16th for a visit in Atlanta & in Fla.  They decided to take the dog so Barb won't have to "dog-sit".  She was to stay at the apt. but I don't think Kim can leave the dog that long.

The Bishop of the Synod was here one Wed. in June to present Dad with a certificate & a gift for his 50th anniv.  He was here for lunch & we had a nice visit.  Gift from Synod.

Fri  July 2nd Kim took Barb & me to the Erie Mall as a thank you.  Barb for helping her clean the camp & me for baking cookies for when her 2 aunts & uncle were here.  They loved the double choc. cooky.  We did some shopping & ate lunch at Ruby Tuesday.  A new place, nice environment & good food.

Edna [Mom's oldest sister] wrote in her letter she hasn't bot anything for herself in over a yr.  Dad says hardly a week goes by for me to shop for something if I see a bargain I must have it.  That keeps me going & happy.  I think Edna will be 80, Aug 27th.  Maybe you could drop her a card.

This past week Dad got another floral arrangement from the Hessel Valley Church - for his 50th.  It is beautiful with maroon colored lilies.  Haven't see them before.

Barb is getting her hair colored this A.M. & this aft. we'll go to the Mall as she has a pkg. to pick up at Penney's.  We'll also get some groceries.

If the weather ever cools down I'll be glad as I get restless not doing anything.  Didn't dust or vacuum this week.  Need to bake cookies also.

But we are all fine & send you our love, hugs & kisses.


Edna's letter.  (Monday, July 5, 1993)

I can't remember the last time I wrote to you but thought I should write now.

As far as my condition is concerned I think I told you I had ultrasound therapy for my shoulder during the month of January.  I used to wake up about 3 or 4 in the morning with a pain in my shoulder & I would massage it & it would feel better.  However, I wasn't getting any better so on May 24 I went to a rheumatologist who said I had bursitis.  (I thought I had arthritis.)  I had a cortisone injection and in 2 days the pain was gone.  I should have gone to him much sooner.  My arm is still a little stiff because I haven't done my exercises very much.  If I'm on my feet a lot, I get tired and sometimes when I walk I feel as though People think I'm drunk.  But people say I walk as if nothing had happened to me.  Now I'm following in Aunt Esther's footsteps.  Every morning before getting up, she does exercises in bed.  Now I massage my arms & legs in bed & get the circulation going and the stiffness out and I feel much better.

Yesterday we had a July 4 picnic at Gen's.  I picked up Aunt Esther & Uncle Wilfred at the nursing home & brought them over.  Frank Carlson brought them back.  It was a beautiful day and we had a delicious meal.  You should have seen Esther & Wilfred eat!  They had ravenous appetites.  He is very thin but Esther should lose weight.  She has gained.  Wilfred was rambunctious when he first entered the Home but now seems calmer.  He rambles on about things which we can't understand.  He looked very nice yesterday.  At one time he wore 3 ties at once and also slept in a chair because he laid out all his clothes on the bed.  The nurses decided to let him do as he pleased because he was mean to them otherwise.

Gen & Ed & Edith had a wonderful time in Sweden & a couple of days in Copenhagen.  I was glad they went.  They saw Ed's relatives and the Luthgren family.  Everybody was so good to them.  But it rained most of the time, I guess.  About that time, I think, we had about 10 days with no rain.  My lawn looks terrible.  I watered it a few times, but I didn't start early enough & I finally gave up.  We haven't had much rain this past week, just a shower now & then.  It's been in the 80s, near 90.

Wally's son-in-law painted my house in May because he's not working.  I was lucky because he charged only half or less than a professional would charge.  Later on he's going to do the panelling on the front porch.  He wanted to go back to Florida to work on a house that he bought cheap from his aunt who was willed it and didn't want it.  It was a mess so he's spent a lot of time there fixing it up both inside and out.  It's a long trip to Florida & back.

I'm also lucky that I have Wally's son, Ralph, next door to mow the lawn, but I pay him like anyone else.  It saves me from trying to find someone who is reliable.

I'm also having 4 birch trees treated for Birch Leaf Minor.  Some of the leaves were brown this Spring so I'm having 3 treatments.  There is always something to spend money on.  I haven't spent any money on myself for over a year.  I have to get some new shoes though.

It will be 3 years this month since Wally died  I can't believe it.  It will be 4 years in December since Jerry died.  Both Larry & Linda like to have Millie visit them quite often.  Allan is good to her, too.  Jerry's brother Tony and his wife take her out quite often while they are here; they go to Florida for the winter.

Steiger's is downsizing their downtown store from 4 floors & a basement to 2 floors & a basement.  They are going to lay off more people.  Millie got a call the other day, thinking she was going to be laid off.    [Millie was born in 1913.]  Instead, they want her to work 4 days instead of 3 and longer hours.  She doesn't like the hours because 2 days she has to work until 5 PM and she can't get the afternoon bus when she goes to visit Larry & Debbie on the week-ends.  But it is better than nothing.  She would go crazy if she didn't work because she has to be on the go all the time.  I'm just the opposite; I don't mind staying home.  Of course, I have a larger house & I try to keep busy.

I hope Carl is feeling alright and I hope you all have a good summer.

P.S.  I forgot about Carl's 50th anniversary.  I hope you all had a good time.