A beautiful, clear night after finally, a sunny day. As the sun was going down a bit ago, I could see Venus and Jupiter over the horizon and the crescent moon. Was a nice sight over the mountains with the orange glow of the setting sun.

I took a picture from my front porch and had to adjust the brightness a bit. I should have adjusted the F-stop but didn't think of that. But I share with you the photo. Sadly, the planets and the moon aren't really visible in the photo but you get the idea.

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope you have a great holiday and find the time to reflect on things you can be thankful for on this day. Despite the challenges we all face, we live in the best country and have wonderful opportunities.

I'm thankful that I'm able to get together with family today and that my dear sisters are doing all the cooking. We are going to our stepdad's home for dinner. The home where my mother cooked us many Thanksgiving dinners. Her presence will be felt there. The kitchen is still as it was when she was there - we even still have all the spices she bought and more. My grandmother, Mim, lived just up the road, as well as my Aunt Ellen. They would come for dinner too. We will remember them today too. They are all missed. My Aunt Eva is still living a couple of streets over but she's not one to come for dinner. She likes to watch her sports and have a bean sandwich on Thanksgiving Day. I get over to see her whenever I can.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Went to see The Gibson Brothers perform in Peru NY on Saturday night with David and our friends Tom and Sheila. What a great concert! The Gibson Brothers grew up not far from where I live and Eric Gibson taught English in our school district. Now they are full time musicians and bringing their bluegrass all over the country.

To the left is the art from their latest release. It was inspired by Lyon Mountain - a place famous for iron ore mining and town baseball. You can check them out at http://www.gibsonbrothers.com/

They mentioned that they are performing in Ellenburg on Dec 7 with their sister and in January '09 they perform in Chazy. Catch up with them for a good time.

I was wishing that they had performed at a Dance Hall instead of school auditorium on Saturday night. People need to move to that great music! Too bad Severance's Dance Hall in Harkness, NY is no more. Anyone remember that? I've been to some wonderful contra dances at the Ausable Valley Grange Hall in Keeseville - I can't do contra dance because of my dizziness but I go when I can to hear the music and watch the joy on the face of those who dance. That Grange Hall would not be big enough to host the Gibson Brothers audience but it's a wonderful space. Roy Hurd will perform there on Sunday, Dec. 7 - there will be a silent auction and bake sale too! Doors open at 1:30 pm - concert is 2 pm till 5 pm. $8 admission - kids under 12 admitted free.

I'm still hearing that people are reading but having trouble leaving comments - only 1 trailblazer has left a comment and that was a while back.

If you want to leave a comment (and I hope you will). Yes it's pathetic but I'd like to see some audience participation!

click on 0 comments (or whatever number appears before the word comment - hopefully it will change to 1 2 3 or even 4 one day). Up will come a box to type your comment. You do have to sign in via your google identity or get a blogger account/identity (it's free and easy) to leave a comment. But that is it.

Some people (I won't mention any names) have clicked on the envelope (email) icon and sent me a message but that is meant to send a link to the blob if you want someone else to read it. It doesn't get published as a comment.

Now that I've totally confused you - GOOD LUCK and get commenting!

I wanted you to know about the National Day of Listening. As someone who has recorded my own StoryCorps interview, I can tell you that it is a powerful experience. Mary Jane from North Country Life Flight interviewed me about my brain aneurysm experience and all that followed. She did a an excellent job and I have enjoyed listening to it with family and friends, sharing tears and hugs. Our interview is now archived at the Library of Congress. I'm so grateful to StoryCorps and to MJ for that experience.

Now, StoryCorps is asking the whole country to set aside one hour on Friday, November 28th, to record a conversation with a friend or loved one, and I wanted to encourage you to participate. You can read more at http://www.nationaldayoflistening.org and download the do it yourself guide and even watch a video about the project.

As we head into the holiday season, so many of us are on the lookout for the right gift for the important people in our lives. Sitting down and recording a Do-It-Yourself interview with someone whose story you'd like to hear—whether that's your grandpa, your partner, your best friend from childhood, or the guy you get your Thanksgiving turkey from each year—is the best gift you can give. It's free, but it will outlast that holiday sweater you had your eye on—and it will still make you feel warm and fuzzy. So this year, before you rush out the door on the day after Thanksgiving, take an hour and listen.

I purchased an Olympus digital voice recorder to do interviews and have gotten a couple done. I hope to do more. It's not the quality of the StoryCorps interview but I figured out how to transfer my home interviews to CD and they sound quite good.

Since my brain aneursym explosion in May 2005, I've tried to fill at least part of each day with activities that seem meaningful. My volunteer work with North Country Life Flight fits that nicely but there are also the more subtle things and connections that happen each day. I pretty much feel that I'm living on borrowed time. I survived a fatal illness and am so lucky to be alive and functioning as well as I am. I try to overlook the dizziness and head pain/pressure that I live with and keeping busy caring about others is a great way to do it. The memory challenges I try to see as amusing although it is frustrating at times. I always say I'm never bored as everything is new to me. I can work for hours on project and have no memory of doing it. It's strange.
I've changed since that day in May. I was always pretty quiet, not one to talk much. It's different now and luckily I'm blessed with many friends and family members who take the time to hear me out. This blog fits in with that need to communicate. Every morning I start the day with a call to my daughter, then my sisters, then my soon to be 93 year old stepdad. He and I usually chat anywhere from 40-60 minutes - he does most of the talking. I used to call him several times a week but now I check in with him daily to make sure he's OK since he lives alone and is 75 miles away from me. I firmly believe that people need contact with others to thrive so he's part of my mission. When my Mom was dying of cancer I promised her I would look out for him and I've tried along with my sisters to do just that. He took great care of her throughout her illnesses and I hope I get to be a ripe old age as well and have someone who can help me "thrive."
I'm blessed with a great group of friends as well. From childhood friends I've reconnected with recently, former co-workers (we get together at least monthly for a meal), the friends who I credit with saving me at North Country Life Flight where I now volunteer, and other friends like Tom and Sheila who we will be getting together with tonight for an evening of music to celebrate Tom and David's birthday and all the rest I'm very blessed.
Last evening I enjoyed a meal out with ten of my former PBS co-workers at the Sawtdee Thai Restaurant in Plattsburgh. They have wonderful food, very fresh vegetables dishes with choices of chicken, beef, pork or tofu. We asked for separate checks and the pleasant and capable waitstaff would bring out our dishes announcing 'Diane's Cashew Chicken." We get together at least monthly, either at a restaurant or someone will offer to host a gathering at their home. It's always a nice get together filled with interesting conversation about current events, culture and of course good memories from our days of working at the PBS station. The times we had.... We have even brought some photos lately. I brought the photo album The Hawk put together for me on my 10th anniversary party at PBS. We greatly enjoyed looking through that and last night Kathy brought photos from her collection, last month The Hawk brought some too. So it's like family.
I even got a bonus hug last night from my blob muse (does that make sense?) Alyson M who was having supper with her hubby and came over to say hi. She and I will hopefully get together soon for our favorite Greek food. We worked together at a place she wrote a short story about. Her story reminded me of why I'm happy not to be working there any longer. But we had good moments there with some good people and got to study human behavior in some kind of scary and challenged by life people as well. That's a whole other story for another day.
Time for some meaningful house cleaning and I need to write a pen and paper letter to my mother in law (from my previous marriage) in California. I also need to write to my cousin Darwin in Texas. He sent several boxes of gifts to me to distribute to nursing home residents. I took one box to the nursing home in Tupper Lake, where he and I were born (the nursing home is the hospital we were born in - at least I know I was born there and I'm pretty sure he was as well). He sent two more packages this week and I will bring them over soon as well. It's so nice of him to take the time and expense of making a difference for those who might be forgotten at the holidays. I'm told that many residents get no visitors so these gifts may mean the world to them. This is meaningful.

Today we have our first snow of the year. Other places in the Adirondacks, not far from us, have already had a foot or more. I'm not fond of snow anymore, I can't ski or skate given my balance issues so I'll just put on my yak trax and keep on walking my dog the best I can.

Here's Coco with her walking stick! My husband David built the stone wall on one of his summer vacations. Coco loves the snow and likes to lay on her side and slide down hills. We have just a dusting today so not enough for her to do that yet. She had to amuse herself with tree branches on our walk today. She gets me outside on days like this when I normally would probably just stay inside where it's warm and cozy.

Also, here's a view of the mountains across from us. Well they are there, you just can't see them given the snow and clouds, but trust me Poko Moonshine is over there. I like that our view changes with the weather.

Next weekend - November 22 and 23 - my friends Sue and Terry Young are having a holiday sale at their gallery on Route 86 in Jay, NY. If you want to spend your money wisely and buy work from local artists, their gallery would be a great place. Sue does pottery, sculpture, silk painting; Terry does etchings, drawings, paintings, book art and more. They also have a fine selection of work from other local artisans.

The photos above are Sue's "swirling mug"and one of Terry's hand bound drawing tablets.

You can visit their website to see more.

http://www.youngsgallery.com/index.html

Always remember

Today is November 11th, the 11th day of the eleventh month; a day to pay tribute to our veterans. Those who have served this country to make it a better place for you and me deserve our thanks, admiration and remembrance. Their sacrifices make our everyday freedoms a reality.

You can say thank you to a veteran anytime, not just on Veteran's Day. We are losing our World War II veterans...it is estimated that 1,000 die each day. More than 16 million served in WW2 - experts say around 2 million survive at this time.

To all our veterans, thank you for your sacrifice and helping to make this country the best.

It was quite a weekend for me! Sunday found me at another benefit - this one for North Country Life Flight.
WSLP/93.3 in Saranac Lake sponsored "Wing Wars" at Wise Guys sports bar in Lake Placid. Eight area eateries each brought 500 of their best wings to Wise Guys to be eaten and judged by attendees. I was thinking that I would be eating different varieties of Buffalo wings but was I wrong. The restaurants brought tasty and imaginative flavored wings, many served with a special sauce. It made voting very difficult as they were all great!
Over 100 people attended - each paying $10 at the door to eat all the wings they wanted and the first 100 got a free t-shirt. Half of the money collected at the door was donated to North Country Life Flight, our region's air medical rescue team. I'm a former patient. I was flown in May 2005 after a ruptured brain aneurysm. Not only did they save my life and minimize my disabilities - their service is free. No bill to pay! Definitely the best deal of my life. I'm happy to be part of the "ground team" now, volunteering when I can, to help them be available for the next patient who needs them.
North Country Life Flight was presented with a check for $595 at the end of "Wing Wars," and we also received the great news that WSLP, Wise Guys and the other eateries want to do "Wing Wars 2009" to benefit Life Flight again next year!
Many thanks to WSLP, Wise Guys (the people spoke and voted Wise Guys' wings the best!), The Dinner Bell Restaurant, Lisa G’s, The Cottage, The Dancing Bears Restaurant, Romano’s, Eat-N-Meet Grill and Station Street Bar and Grill.
Jim Williams, Vice President and Sales Manager, WSLP (left) presents $595.00 check to North Country Life Flight flight nurse, Steve Hann, RN, CFRN, NREMTP.

I apologize to all who tried to leave a comment previously. I'm still learning and today learned that I had settings set so that those who wanted to leave a comment had to be a blogger member. I believe I have now updated that so you should more easily be able to comment w/o becoming a member of blogger. Just click on the comments icon below the post - you can also have "a reaction" to my posts now - hopefully not hives! I look forward to more feedback. Because, if a tree falls in the forest...

Photos: above Three Doug Knight, from left to right Doug Knight, Speedy Arnold and Alice Knight; right Doug Knight on banjo with Joan Crane, Rod Driscoll and other musician friends. (photos courtesy David Bradford)

Saturday, November 8 I had the privilege of sharing the evening with Doug Knight and over 700 of his friends at a benefit concert for Doug at Ausable Valley Central School. I was just thrilled to be there, enjoying some of the finest talent this region has to offer. Doug Knight is a greatly talented man and his equally talented pals came out in full force out to lend their musical abilities to make the evening one of the finest events I've ever seen and heard.

I remember thinking at one point, "It's like the being at the Grand Ole Opry," as talented musicians came out to play about four songs each and then another group would take the stage. Doug later made reference to the Grand Old Opry as well - we were thinking alike.

I felt like my life was flashing before my eyes (and ears) as bands and musicians I have enjoyed for decades came out to entertain the packed auditorium and the overflow crowd in the school's cafeteria. The cafeteria people were able to see the concert thanks to a video feed that was piped in there, thanks to a team headed up by my pal Allison Arnold.

Doug has been diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig's disease. To my ear (I only have one I can hear in) and the other 1400 plus ears in the school, it has not affected his ability to entertain and enthrall an audience. Doug, Alice (Doug's wife) and Speedy (Arnold) received more than one standing ovation and they were in fine tune as they delivered great music with their usual humorous commentary (my favorites were "Iko, Iko" and "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" (yes from the "Wizard of Oz"). Doug was a pillar of strength and greatly inspiring as he spoke of how he greatly misses the kids on his bus run since he has had to resign from driving to focus on his recovery; he spoke of his Dad and other family members he has lost to ALS and how he will focus on finding a cure for ALS to make the world better for others, especially his own two sons. His voice cracked a few times but as he said, "I'm surprised I'm not a blubbering idiot up here." His strength and character was awe inspiring as was that of Alice and Speedy and all his close friends.

Other musicians included Joan Crane, the acoustic group Crossing North, country-folk trio Bear Tracks, Eric Gibson of the fabulous Gibson Brothers (Eric's son joined him on stage and did a fine job on mandolin - the Gibson musical future is secure), the Two Tall String Band, harper Martha Gallagher, as well as Skip Smithson, Jeff Rendanaro, and Steve Light. It was great to see Junior Barber again. I remember seeing him decades ago playing his dobro at Channel 57. My old pal and former radio colleague Charlie Stone shared the emcee duties with Speedy Arnold. Charlie and I were both volunteers at Mountain Lake Public Radio in Plattsburgh for a great five year run.

The evening was a successful fundraiser as well. Well done everyone and thank you for the music. Godspeed on your recovery Doug!

Above photo Doug and friends in the concert finale, they performed "Will the Circle Be Unbroken" in joyous fashion! (Photo by David Bradford)

COME TO A NORTH COUNTRY LIFE FLIGHT BENEFIT!!!!

IT'S TIME TO VOTE AGAIN!

COME TO WISE GUY'S IN LAKE PLACID ON SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 FROM NOON TILL 4 (OR AS LONG AS THE WINGS LAST). EIGHT OF THE BEST EATERIES IN THE AREA WILL EACH BRING 500 OF THEIR BEST CHICKEN WINGS TO "WING WARS." FOR $10 ADMISSION YOU GET TO EAT ALL THE WINGS YOU WANT AND VOTE FOR THE BEST.

HALF OF THE DOOR ADMISSION WITH BE DONATED TO NORTH COUNTRY LIFE FLIGHT, THE REGION'S AIR MEDICAL RESCUE TEAM (THE ONE THAT SAVED MY LIFE).
I'LL BE THERE AND HOPE TO SEE YOU TOO!

What a week I've had - I started to think of all I've done this week and it made my head spin! I really need to slow down. Of course, my thought has always been that I can sleep when I'm dead...

Yesterday I traveled to Tupper Lake to go to the doc with my stepdad - that turned into what my husband would call a goat rodeo. Meds changed but not called in, now he has nothing to take....I'm looking for a new doc for him. I couldn't even get in touch with anyone to take care of the problem today. So I'm hoping he will be AOK till we get this resolved next week. I wish we had docs in the area that specialized in geriatric care. The elderly have special needs and need someone who can take the time to listen to their problems. It is truly needed and I have not found that available. Heck, won't be long and I will need that too. LOL.

But Tupper Lake was a lot of fun. I went to "Girls Night Out" at my friend Joy's beautiful store. She had an open house from 5 till 8 pm with door prizes (I won a really nice picture frame - Thanks Joy!), beverages, snacks, massages and Deanna from Activate Wellness Naturally was there to do homeopath health screenings. Surprisingly enough, I was pretty free of toxins and she advised me to keep on doing whatever I'm doing. It was very interesting and a wonderful night with my pals that I grew up with. I was talking with one lady and Joy said, "You remember Laura?" - a former high school pal I had not since those days. It was great to see her - she is one of the classmates I fondly remember.

Here's a link to Joy's store. http://www.theadirondackcompany.com/
Check it out and when you are in Tupper Lake stop in! She has a wonderful selection of Adirondack furnishings and accessories and the store looks and smells beautiful. For you old timers (like me...) her store is in the JJ Newberry building - our former 5 & 10 cent store on Park Street - right across from the movie theatre. It's a great place for holiday shopping and you can support a local merchant!

Now it's time to get ready for a concert! Doug Knight and Friends tonight at the Ausable Valley Central School. My pal and talented bluegrass musician Doug has been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig's Disease so the Ski Club at the school has organized this concert filled with talented musicians and good friends of Doug's. We are all hoping and praying that Doug can beat this disease and I know there will be lots of positive energy flowing his way tonight. It will be quite a night.

This morning I woke up early and wanted to go for a walk. I went down to the park in Tupper Lake and walked around the lake. I missed Coco, whom I had left home but thanked her for training me to want to walk every morning. She's been good for me and I think she is one of the reasons my body is low on toxins. Exercise helps get them out of your system!

Lovely November day in the Adirondacks...could this have been Indian Summer???

Had a nice visit with friends M-A and Joyce today and a nice lunch at the Deer's Head Inn in Etown. I had a bread bowl full of chili - very yummy and a nice hot cup of tea. It was lovely.
Joyce's stepmom Judy joined for a bowl of soup - can't remember what it was - pumpkin, ginger maybe - something unusual and she said it was very good. After lunch we toured the new thrift shop over the Deer's Head. I bought a brass angel/bottle opener for Joyce (she collects brass stuff); a yellow fleece vest for BEP; 5 vintage Flintstone birthday party hats (why? I have no idea but I HAD to have them) and a magnetic photo frame. Spent $3 on these treasures! I love thrift shops!

I'm going to go back and browse the books and cds sometime too. They had a nice selection. Like I need any of those too. It takes me about 2 months to read a paperback book now. Right now I am trying to get through "My Stroke of Insight" by Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, the brain researcher who had a massive stroke and spent 8 years recovering. Good reading and gives great hope to stroke victims and their families. Lots of useful information on how to help the stroke patient in their recovery.

Happy birthday to two of my favorite 7 year olds today!

So in addition to the great photos....I am awaiting the first "comment" on my blog. I feel very exposed here - so join me and leave a comment or two. Don't be shy. No one will read it any way. How do I do that you ask??? Click on "comments" below and a box appears for your writing pleasure. Click Publish Your Comments after you type your message and that's it! I hope to hear from YOU!

From the "I learn something new every day" corner, OMG! I just discovered that in my email address book I can add a picture of the contact. Now I need all my friends to send me the photo they want in my address book. Hop to it friends! Otherwise I may have to seek out photos that you might not want representing you in my address book. Yes, I know, only I will see these photos but it's my excitement for the day. Send those photos my dear posse. I await your best shot.

Besides this beats watching the election returns. That makes me nervous.

I dressed up for Halloween this year! First time in many - thanks to my friend MJC for the costume idea and accessories! But me a mime???? I can't shut up for very long! I lasted about 2 minutes before speaking. Ran into the Girl Scouts getting free ice cream cones at Stewarts and took some pics of my favorite fairy princess and little vampire.

November 4th! Election Day and my daughter's birthday! What a day! We are going to get supper from Pizza Hut. I can save 20 percent there by ordering online for the first time so what the heck! I'm going to make a birthday cake - box mix Devils Food (my favorite and Cris' too) and then I add 3 eggs and a can of cherry pie filling to that. Serve with frosting or cool whip and dang good. NO! You do not add oil or water - just eggs and pie filling. Trust me on this - it works. I didn't fall off the turnip truck yesterday - although I did fall off the pumpkin truck last month but that is another story - thankfully without photography or medical bills.

It's a fine day here in the Adirondacks. Supposed to be 60 degrees today. We are blessed! That is great for November. Coco and I had a hike on the mountain this morning and it was just lovely in the woods. I keep an eye out for hunters but I've never seen any on our property but do wear my red jacket just in case. We came across a dead gray squirrel on our hike. That was our only wildlife encounter today. Hopefully something will scavenge that carcass away today so I don't have to pick it up.

Well, best get that birthday cake started!

Well, it's been awhile since I created this blog and got busy and forgot about it. But my friend John suggested I needed a blog and I remembered - oh yeah I have one!

Well it's Election Eve - and hardly a creature (elephants or donkeys) are stirring. It's been an interesting campaign but I'm looking forward to it being over. We don't talk politics in our house - we have a democrat and republican happily married. We stay happy by avoiding some subjects and will just probably go cancel each other's vote tomorrow. The American Way!

I checked the number of emails I authored today - 25 - wow - plus some other press stuff I sent as part of my volunteer efforts. Holey moley.

My little dog Coco and I went to get our truck inspected today. It ran out on Friday but luckily I made it to the garage without getting a ticket. Coco loves to ride and is always ready for a road trip. She's a good little dog and will be 2 years old next month.