Worth Repeating

To wish you all a Merry Christmas I'm repeating this wonderful post that my sisters helped me write last year.

Christmas time often makes me think of the wonderful times our parents made possible for us. They did not have much money but it was important to them that we had a bountiful Christmas. My Mom, being the industrious and hard working lady she was, came up with the idea of making Christmas candles to finance our gifts. I learned today that she got that idea from a Christmas candle my sister Theresa made at Girl Scouts when she was 10 (the year I was born) and brought home. Theresa and my late brother Roy were out selling Christmas candles probably when I was just a baby.

Our Christmas candles were made with blocks of paraffin wax. A line was scored down the center of one block and the wick laid along that line. Two blocks were then put together and stood on end on a third block and straight pins were inserted to hold them together.
The pictures were old Christmas cards that we saved and also collected from relatives. The old parchment cards were best as they were translucent, allowing the pictures to glow when the wick was lit.

The chosen card was cut to fit the face of the candle and a 'frosting' was made with cream of tartar and melted wax, which was applied warm to the candle and sprinkled with glitter. I remember using a stainless steel bowl and handmixer to beat the cream of tartar and melted wax. It was always quite a production that would fill our kitchen and get us excited about the holidays coming up.

Our father drove us all over the North Country well over a 75 mile radius of Tupper Lake to sell the candles. We'd knock on a door carrying a flat box filled with candles and when someone answered we'd say, "Would you like to buy a Christmas candle? They are only $1.00 and when you light the wick the picture glows." Theresa believes the price increased to $1.50, then $1.75 and finally $2.00. I don't remember.

Our mother (with our help) would make about 500 candles each year and this enabled our parents to give us a wonderful Christmas each year. $500.00 was a fortune in the late 50's and early 60's. We would go shopping in Plattsburgh and Burlington with our bounty. I remember shopping the Grand Way in Plattsburgh on Christmas Eve and Woolworth’s in downtown Plattsburgh (or was it Fishman’s?). I know Montgomery Ward was downtown in Pburgh.

My sister Mary was at a friend's house back in 1983 and the friend was cleaning the previous owner's belonging's out of the cellar. She pulled a candle out of a box and Mary gasped......hardly believing what she was looking at. She asked if she could have it and told the friend of the story of the Christmas candles. This candle is well over 45 years old! The candle comes out in a place of honor on Mary's sideboard each Christmas and then is lovingly and carefully packed away for another year after Christmas. If she were to light the wick - “the picture glows.” Merry Christmas!

My youngest granddaughter, Jenna who turns 8 in December, had a story to share the other day. I was visiting her Girl Scout Troop’s Halloween party in the building that used to be a school in Keeseville. The rooms still look like classrooms; the room we were in had a map of the United States on the wall. Jenna took me over to the map where it was a bit quieter so she could tell me about her chicken. Yes, her chicken...

Jenna and her mom went to Family Dollar in Keeseville to pick up some party supplies for Halloween. While they were in the store, looking at witch and goblin accessories, they noticed there was a chicken in the Family Dollar store. Yes, a live chicken walking around! Jenna’s mom, Cris, didn’t think much about it but Jenna likes chickens and has a flock of them at home she considers her pets. Jenna went over to check the chicken out. She came back to Cris and said, “Mom, that is our chicken!” Cris, said, “Jenna there is no way that is our chicken, now let’s get this shopping done, we have to get home.” Jenna, being a bit persistent in nature, decided to go get another look at this chicken. She comes back to Cris and says, “Mom, that IS our chicken, Butterscotch, I picked him up!” Cris was firm in telling Jenna that there was no way Butterscotch would be at Family Dollar - several miles from their home and kept shopping.

At this point, Jenna informed me that a man from Michigan came in to Family Dollar and took the chicken with him back to Michigan. She also told me that when she and her mother arrived home, Butterscotch was nowhere to be found. Cris realized she should have listened to Jenna. Jenna explained to me that, “Butterscotch had roosted up under her mom’s car and got the ride to Family Dollar. When she tried to get out from under the car, her wing got caught and was ripped off,” said Jenna. “The man who took Butterscotch back to Michigan is going to fix her wing and take good care of her, then we will get her back.” She even showed me on the map where we were in Keeseville and his route to Michigan (kind of).

The next morning Cris called me and I asked her about this chicken story. She confirmed almost everything that Jenna said except for the wing getting ripped off and Michigan. Butterscotch lost a couple of feathers and the man who took her home lives in Willsboro so they were going to get Butterscotch back this weekend. Cris says she will listen to Jenna the next time they find a live chicken in the store.

You might as well laugh!

It's Friday! As we jump off the dock of July into the warm waters of August, I hope you have a safe and fun weekend! Enjoy every minute! As my husband David has always reminded me, "these will soon be the good ole days!"

My dog Coco has had fun chasing frogs in our yard so these seemed "in season.

"When a lonely frog consults a fortune-teller, he's told not to worry. "You are going to meet a beautiful young girl," she says, "and she will want to know everything about you." "That's great!" says the excited frog. "When will I meet her?""Next semester," says the psychic, "in biology class."

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There once was a really cute princess who was walking through the woods. All of a sudden she heard a voice calling, "Hey Really Cute Princess!"She looked around and didn't see anyone or anything but a frog sitting on a big rock. She started to carry on her way but the frog called again. "Hey Really Cute Princess, if you take me home and let me sleep on your pillow next to you, I will turn back into a Handsome Prince!"It had been a very long and boring day so she decided to pick up the frog and give it a try though she really didn't believe the frog at all.The Really Cute Princess took the frog home with her and let him sleep on her pillow beside her. When she woke up the next day what do you think she found? There on her pillow beside her sat a really Handsome Prince.

Do you believe this story? No! Neither did her mother!

Our garden is doing great and we are now enjoying its bounty. We picked green and yellow beans to make my grandmother's "Milky Beans and Taters" and beets which my dad and I prepared for pickling. I never made pickled beets before but he remembered how from his mother making them so long ago and with his help we pickled a small jar. Tonight we will have them for our supper and we will do more as the beets are ready. I'm going to do a stir fry tonight with our peas, we planted sugar snap peas with edible pods and they are ready to pick as well.

Summer! Even though it's a bit moist, it's warm and we see lots of sun and the garden loves this weather. I'm enjoying the summer. My treat of the week was a visit to Paul Johnson's bakery on Route 9N in Upper Jay, just down the road from the Land of Makebelieve which we all miss. Paul's Bakery celebrates that and for the hour or two we spend on his screen porch eating the delightful food he offers up, it's the next best thing to Makebelieve.
Today until about 2 pm you can enjoy Paul's meatloaf sandwich on his rye bread, served with a wonderful bean salad. Then go get dessert in the bakery! My pal Alllison and I shared a tart topped with cherries, black raspberries, blueberries - I named it "Summer on Plate!" Then we had to share a piece of Paul's German Chocolate Cake. I washed all that down with a quart bottle of FIJI water. What a feast! I brought home a few treats too - there was a part of pie left - black rasperry & cherry. I bought a loaf of his bread too. To celebrate the summer there is no better place than Paul's. His mom had lunch with us again and she told me the proper name of the business which I forgot. I'll write it down next time.

I heard a news report on 17 year old Zac Sunderland yesterday. He became the youngest in history to sail around the world alone. What a great story and an amazing feat. It really captured my imagination and made me want to learn more.

Visit his website at

http://www.sailzac.com/

Summertime!

Bailey and Jenna are having a fun and busy summer. Here they are at their softball games and they had a fun day with the Girl Scouts at The Great Escape in Lake George. Now they are at swimming lessons every day too. Busy kids!

Have a great 4th of July!

I was looking around for something to post about the holiday. Perhaps at one time in my life I knew the Star Spangled Banner has 4 stanzas but I don't recall ever hearing the last three sung... so should you wish to sing the entire version here are the entire lyrics.

O! say can you see by the dawn's early light.
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
O! say does that star-spangled banner yet waveO'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner!
Oh long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion,A home and a country should leave us no more!
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slaveFrom the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave: And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.O!
thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation.
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just, And this be our motto: 'In God is our trust.' And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave![

A couple of fun pictures I took the other day - Bailey and Jenna stopped by on their way to softball looking cool and one of my little dog Coco looking down our driveway where Miss Kitty was walking around on the stone wall. Just some cute stuff to share!

Happy Father's Day to my dad and all the dads!
This picture was taken a couple of weeks ago when great-niece
Ava came to visit Papa and us. She is such a sweetheart! She brought
a great smile to Papa's face. The second picture is of Ava in my high chair! I was so happy to have a baby visit to sit in it. I keep it in the kitchen always just in case! I have my grandkids squeeze into it now and then and be my babies again. This was my high chair when I was a baby and I believe it originally belonged to my cousin Wanda. Wanda passed away in a tragic auto accident before I was born but her brother Darwin is one of my blog readers and can hopefully confirm the origin of the high chair. It is a treasure to me.

Wow! Friday again! The weeks are just flying - it will be the 4th of July in the blink of an eye! I found a joke that really fits my mood these days. It explained our current situation in easy terms.... hope you like it. And if you would like to buy a monkey... just let me know! Enjoy every minute!

Once upon a time in a place overrun with monkeys, a man appeared and announced to the villagers that he would buy monkeys for $10 each. The villagers, seeing that there were many monkeys around, went out to the forest, and started catching them. The man bought thousands at $10 and as supply started to diminish, they became harder to catch, so the villagers stopped their effort. The man then announced that he would now pay $20 for each one. This renewed the efforts of the villagers and they started catching monkeys again. But soon the supply diminished even further and they were ever harder to catch, so people started going back to their farms and forgot about monkey catching. The man increased his price to $25 each and the supply of monkeys became so sparse that it was an effort to even see a monkey, much less catch one.The man now announced that he would buy monkeys for $50! However, since he had to go to the city on some business, his assistant would now buy on his behalf. While the man was away the assistant told the villagers. 'Look at all these monkeys in the big cage that the man has bought. I will sell them to you at $35 each and when the man returns from the city, you can sell them to him for $50 each.' The villagers rounded up all their savings and bought all the monkeys. They never saw the man nor his assistant again and once again there were monkeys everywhere.

Now you know how the stock market works.

I had a happy day last Saturday as I met up with friends, many I had not seen in over 15 years. We gathered to pay tribute to a former colleague of mine, Jack Skinner, who passed away last fall. Jack captured the Adirondacks with a video camera in extraordinary ways.

I met the group at Casa del Sol in Saranac Lake, Jack's favorite restaurant where Jack's mentee and colleague Paul remembered Jack interviewing the late filmmaker Fred Sullivan not far from where we sat. Jack often planned his shoots in Saranac Lake around Casa's schedule.

It was sad that we met because Jack is gone but we all felt his presence and spirit. It was evident in his friends and family and especially his daughters who joined us after hiking Jack's favorite peak in the Adirondacks, Indian Head. It was a joyful day because we knew Jack has gone to a better place and he would be pleased to have his loved ones and old friends remembering him fondly. I could see him beaming and his eyes twinkling as I looked around the table. It was very cool that his daughter's husband wore one of Jack's favorite shirts. He's inherited a nice collection of comfy shirts. Jack would like that too. Rest in peace Jack.

Thanks to Marco (left with Jack's tequila) for sending these photos along. I had not seen Marco since he left WCFE-FM many years ago and it was great to see him again. It is nice that we get to hear him on "The World" on public radio.

http://www.theworld.org/

I miss the days when he was covering this area as the news director for Mountain Lake Public Radio. We had a great station and we did some great work there.

Another Friday already! What a week it has been. Some of you know already; my husband became a jobless statistic this week after 29+ years at his job for a Chevy dealer. So with that theme in mind, here ya go! We may as well laugh. Thankfully, our Victory Garden is growing nicely. David is certainly enjoying these sunny days for now. We'll see what comes next. Have a safe and fun weekend! Enjoy every minute.

Circuit City laid off 30,000 employees this week as it gets set to close its doors. When picking up their termination papers, the employees were asked if they wanted the extended two-year warranty.

And news from the NY Dept of Labor: With so many people unemployed, they will have to hire people to process unemployment claims.

Looks like the Obamas have already helped the economy. J. Crew stock has gone up 10%, because First Lady Michelle Obama has been spotted wearing their clothes. Which begs the question, Mr. Obama, how would you feel about wearing a Buick?

General Motors announced that they are ending their endorsement deal with Tiger Woods. When asked why, a spokesperson for General Motors said, 'Tiger Woods is successful, competitive, and popular. And that's just not us.'

Saturday was a fun day! I drove up to

Lake Placid to support the North Country Life Flight fundraiser, "SitDown, SmackDown," sponsored by WSLP-FM. Along the way I was hungry and I remembered reading that Paul Johnson Bakery was going to be open that day and he was serving big homemade meatloaf sandwiches on his bread with Romaine and Thousand Island dressing. I couldn't resist the detour thru Upper Jay to Paul's. I walked in and the meatloaf had just come out of the oven so I ordered a sandwich to go, I bought a loaf of Paul's oatmeal bread and he had this beautiful chocolate cake in the case. I had to buy it for my friend MJ, her birthday was yesterday. Paul decorated the cake with strawberries and pansies for the occasion and off I went to Lake Placid. I stopped along the Ausable river and ate my meatloaf sandwich.

By the time I made it to Placid all 7,700 seats of the Olympic Arena had been sat in so I gave money in support of the effort at least. It was a great event and next year we will collect $1 for every one of those 7,700 seats to make it even better in support of North Country Life Flight's lifesaving mission.

But about this chocolate cake! It reminded me of the cake I enjoyed with friends long ago at the now gone D&H Restaurant in Plattsburgh. It was dark, chocolaty and moist just like Paul's. Stop by Paul's bakery on Route 9N in Upper Jay. He is open on Saturdays for now and has a wonderful screened porch where you can sit and enjoy pleasant classical music and great food. Very civilized and always delicious!

This weekend (June 5 & 6) Paul is open Friday and Saturday - get there early for the best selection! Here's his post from the recent Jay Community News!

Paul's Bakery for Friday the 5th and Sat the 6th.Fridays Soup is Roasted Beef Vegetable with slice of homemade bread. Saturdays Soup is Traditional Manhattan Clam Chowder slice of homemadebread.This weekends Lunch Special is Piled High Cesar Salad with homemadedressing. Served with Grilled Toast and can be with or without GrilledChicken Breast. Open 7 am to 2 "ish" pm both days and I will have a wide selection of good things for breakfast! Hope to see you, Cheers, Paul

Find Paul's Bakery on Route 9N in Upper Jay. You will be so glad you did.

Another Friday already here! I hope you have a safe and fun weekend. Enjoy every minute...I'll be at the Olympic Center tomorrow for WSLP's Life Flight benefit "SitDown, SmackDown" - volunteers will sit in all 7,700 seats of the Olympic Center to raise funds for Life Flight. Buy a seat, save a life! http://www.wslpfm.com/ Or send a check to North Country Life Flight, PO Box 994, Saranac Lake, NY 12983.


Fence Repair At The White House

Three contractors are bidding to fix a broken fence at The White House in D.C.One from New Jersey, another from Tennessee and the third, from Florida.They go with a White House Official to examine the fence.The Florida contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring, then works some figures with a pencil."Well," he says, "I figure the job will run about $900:$400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit for me."The Tennessee contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says,"I can do this job for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for me."The New Jersey contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White House official and whispers, "$2700.00."The official, incredulous, says, "You didn't even measure like the other guys!How did you come up with such a high figure? "The New Jersey contractor whispers back,"$1000 for me, $1000 for you, and we hire the guy from Tennessee to fix the fence.""Done!" replies the government official.

I love a good duck joke -A duck walks into a bar. The bartender says, "We don't serve ducks here". The duck says, "That's OK, I don't really like duck, anyway. How about a beer?"

Memorial Day 2009

I took my dad to Tupper Lake to visit the graves of loved ones on this Memorial Day. He always has gone to put flowers on the graves on Memorial Day. After a busy weekend at the car show in Plattsburgh, I would have preferred to veg around the house but I knew it was important to him so off we went to buy 4 arrangements for the graves of his mother and father; his two brothers and my mom.

We had a nice trip up to Tupper; a beautiful day for a drive and I was glad we went. It struck me how most of the people I know are now in that cemetery; we laughed at how few live people we had to visit. Not sure why we can laugh about it but we did. We also had a laugh at the cemetery when he took a "tumble" and landed on his back on the ground near one of the headstones. I cautioned him not to lie there too long as the guy with the backhoe would be coming over... Gallows humor I guess.

He said he is getting too old to do the Memorial Day honors (at age 93) and from now on younger ones will have to take over. He has always taken care of his family and doesn't forget those no longer with him. It's a nice thing he does.

We also went to visit his lone living brother (he also has a sister alive in Mass.) and my niece who now lives in his house. We toured the yard (she was mowing) looking at all his beautiful flowers (well... hers now...) especially the multitude of forget-me-nots. I love them and have some growing around my home that I brought home as seeds he picked for me. He was happy to see Tara taking good care of his former home and told her so. He said it looks more like a home now than when he lived there. It was a good trip and he really enjoyed the day.

New Blog to Check Out

In my volunteer work for North Country Life Flight one thing I always strive to do is give them more visibility for the good work they do. I've helped to create a blog for them. Check it out and send me your comments via email. We aren't going to allow comments on that site at this time. But take a look and let me know what you think of it.

http://northcountrylifeflight.blogspot.com/

Memorial Day weekend already! It makes me think of my hero Fred Rogers who always reminded us to take a few minutes to think of someone who made a difference in your life. How happy that person would be to know you are thinking of them. I miss Fred Rogers.

Here's a couple to hopefully give you a smile to start the weekend. Enjoy every minute.

An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard; I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with 6 children, 2 under the age of 3 - he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?”

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When Nasa first started sending up astronauts, they quickly discovered that ball-point pens would not work in zero gravity. To combat the problem, scientists spent a decade and 12 billion dollars to develop a pen that writes in zero gravity, upside down, underwater, on almost any surface including glass and at temperatures ranging from below freezing to 300 C. The Russians used a pencil.

For what he says was the first time in his 93 years, my dad enjoyed some Chinese food with us yesterday. I guess it would be the first time for food from a Chinese restaurant as when my mom was alive she used to make a dish of pork chops with Chinese vegetables that would technically be Chinese food.

But I brought home containers of pork fried rice, white rice, beef with broccoli and an order of steamed dumplings and we enjoyed the meal with my dad. He liked it and his first ever fortune cookie read, "You work hard." Boy, that is right on the money. He's on vacation a bit now, but he has worked hard all his life since his first job as janitor of his school at age 8.

I told him next we would try some Greek food. He told me there was a Greek restaurant in Tupper Lake, when he was 18 - way before my time. He never ate their food but would stop in for coffee once in a while.

My dad and I got the garden planted today. It has been over 30 years since I planted a vegetable garden and my dad probably hasn't had one in 15 or so. At age 93 he was out there in the yard this afternoon for almost 2 hours digging and turning over the soil and making the rows to plant our crops.

We planted onions (red & yellow); beans (yellow and green); snow peas; carrots, beets and kohlrobi in two 4 x 8 raised beds. He also prepared a small plot where Coco's doghouse (I sold it - she never went in her fancy log house) used to be - we'll plant cucumbers there. I also have some tomato plants to put out - one in one of the upside down planters!

It is a good year to have a garden. The drought in sunny California is going to mean shortages and high prices. Then there's the economy in general. The brilliant plan for automakers - let's put 200,000 plus people out of work. That should really help. I know I'm cynical but I'm sad to see the auto business country going to hell in a handbasket. I grew up riding in American cars, have always owned them and it's sad to see all these dealerships losing their brands. My husband has worked at a Chevrolet dealership for almost 30 years. We hope for the best.

It's Friday! I hope you have a safe and happy weekend. Do something nice for yourself. Hope we can start the weekend with a laugh...

A stranger was seated next to a little girl on the airplane when the stranger turned to her and said, 'Let's talk. I've heard that flights go quicker if you strike up a conversation with your fellow passenger.' The little girl, who had just opened her book, closed it slowly and said to the stranger, 'What would you like to talk about?' 'Oh, I don't know,' said the stranger. 'How about nuclear power?' and he smiles. OK, ' she said. 'That could be an interesting topic. But let me ask you a question first. A horse, a cow, and a deer all eat the same stuff - grass - . Yet a deer excretes little pellets, while a cow turns out a flat patty, and a horse produces clumps of dried grass. Why do you suppose that is?' The stranger, visibly surprised by the little girl's intelligence, thinks about it and says, 'Hmmm, I have no idea.....' To which the little girl replies, 'Do you really feel qualified to discuss nuclear power when you don't know s**t?
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When a panel of doctors was asked to vote on adding a new wing to their hospital, the allergists voted to scratch it and thedermatologists advised no rash moves.The gastroenterologists had a gut feeling about it, but the neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve, and the obstetricians stated they were all laboring under amisconception.The ophthalmologists considered the idea short-sighted; the pathologists yelled, "Over my dead body", while the pediatricians said,"Grow up!"The psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing and the radiologists could see right through it!The physicians thought it was a bitter pill to swallow; and the plastic surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on thematter."The podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but theurologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water.The anesthetists thought the whole idea was a gas and the cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no. In the end, the proctologists left the decision up to some a**hole in administration.

Denise Wright
1946-2009







I gained some insight into my own quirkiness yesterday when I attended my cousin's service.

I walked into the funeral home very sad as I thought of my strong, vibrant cousin who always had a beautiful smile and a twinkle in her eye struck down at age 62 after a horrible year fighting cancer. As I approached the casket with my head bowed, I looked up at Denise who lay there with Grouch Marx glasses, nose and moustache on. She made me laugh. That is what she wanted. These are my people. There was a bowl of glasses for those who wished to don them. Her husband and daughter had them on as well. We celebrated her life. I hope they enjoyed the homemade molasses cake I brought for the gathering afterwards, not quite as much spice as Denise had but I wanted to bring something special for her friends and family.

It's Friday! And boy do I ever need a joke this week. It's been a tough week - one that makes me wish I were a drinker as I would "tie one on." But I'm not so I'll eat some chocolate and take a walk instead. No headache that way and that is good! Hope you like this week's offerings:

A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet.So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet.After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet to church with him.So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time."But there was no answer from his new pet.This bothered him a bit, but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, "How about going to church with me and receive blessings?"But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet.So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation.The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time.This time he put his face up against the centipede's house and shouted, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?"This time, a little voice came out of the box,"I heard you the first time!I'm putting on my shoes!"
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A very tired nurse walks into a bank.Totally exhausted after an 18-hour shift.Preparing to write a check, he pulls a rectal thermometer out of hispocket and tries to write with it.When he realizes his mistake, he looks at the flabbergasted teller and without missing a beat, he says: 'Well, that's great....that's just great.... some a**hole's got my pen!'

Big Day Today!

David takes his 1969 Camaro to Bill McBride Chevrolet this afternoon to be in the showroom for the unveiling of the new 2010 Camaro - I hope he buys me one but that won't happen. I'd get killed or locked up within the week if I had one anyway. That would be just too much fun!

I'm off to North Country Life Flight to do a little volunteer work and buy them lunch to say THANK YOU! Four years ago today they flew me from CVPH to Fletcher Allen with a ruptured brain aneurysm. If it weren't for them....

Enjoy every minute!

It's Friday! Joke time - this week I'm a bit disrespectful to law enforcement but after paying my husband's $100 "parking" ticket I might be just a little bitter. I do appreciate the job that our law enforcement professionals do - well other than the dam speed traps - but we all need a laugh so here ya go.
'Hello, is this the State Police?''
Yes What can I do for you?''
I'm calling to report 'bout my neighbor Virgil Smith....He's hidin' marijuana inside his firewood! Don't quite know how he gets it inside them logs , but he's hidin' it there.
''Thank you very much for the call, sir.'
The next day, the NYS State Police descend on Virgil's house. They search the shed where the firewood is kept. Using axes, they bust open every piece of wood, but; find no marijuana. They sneer at Virgil and leave.
Shortly, the phone rings at Virgil's house.'Hey, Virgil! This here's Floyd....
Did the troopers come?''Yeah!''
Did they chop your firewood?''
Yep!
''Happy Birthday, buddy!

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An old Italian lived alone in New Jersey. He wanted to plant his annual tomato garden,but it was very difficult work, as the ground was hard. His only son,Vincent, who used to help him, was in prison.

The old man wrote a letter to his son and described his predicament:Dear Vincent, I am feeling pretty sad, because it looks like I won't be able to plant my tomato garden this year. I'm just getting too old to be digging up a garden plot. I know if you were here my troubles would be over. I know you would be happy to dig the plot for me, like in the old days.
Love,Papa

A few days later he received a letter from his son.
Dear Pop, Don't dig up that garden. That's where the bodies are buried.
Love,Vinnie

At 4 a.m. the next morning, FBI agents and local police arrived and dug up the entire area without finding any bodies.They apologized to the old man and left.That same day the old man received another letter from his son.
Dear Pop, Go ahead and plant the tomatoes now. That's the best I could do under the circumstances. Love you, Vinnie

Chore Boy

My dad is finally able to get out and enjoy the good weather. His cataract surgery left his eye inflamed for a couple of weeks but finally it is better and he can get out and do a little work. He told me tonight he forgets how old he is (93) when he is out raking. He raked for about 3 hours on Saturday - finished around dark. Tonight he raked for a couple more hours.

I told him though that he is "on vacation" while living here, for the first time in his life. He can sleep as late as he wants and only has to work if he wants to. He has peeled lots of veggies for me which is a great help when I'm cooking. The pic I took tonight of him and Coco enjoying the warm breeze on the front porch really looks like he is on vacation. He's happy here and we are happy to have him with us.

Left: Jenna

Left: Bailey's Eye (I think)

Above: Coco

My 7 year old grand daugther Jenna has been busy taking pictures with her Mom's cell phone camera. She has come up with some really interesting shots and I thought I'd share them. I'm thinking that she needs a digital camera so we can further this interest of hers. In my (unbiased) opinion, she has quite the eye for photography.

My "blob," I undeleted it but have completely neglected it....oh well. Too much happening these days for blogging. It will ebb and flow I supposed.

I'll post the Friday joke here...something at least and a photo to enjoy. Let's see what I come up with. The pics are from a Jenna visit recently - she came and spent an afternoon with us - she brought her laptop and played with that a bit but spent most of her time playing hide and seek with Coco. Coco always managed to find her.

It is Friday! I'm hoping you have a safe and restful weekend. Enjoy these beautiful spring days! Enjoy every minute!

Here's my warm-up act!

What Do You Call Four Bullfighters In Quicksand?

Quatro Cinco.

What Do You Get From a Pampered Cow?

Spoiled Milk.

What Do You Get When You Cross a Snowman With a Vampire?

Frostbite.

What Lies At The Bottom Of The Ocean And Twitches?

A Nervous Wreck.

Tax day -- April 15 - An elderly woman showed up at my desk at the IRS. She said she required a thick stack of tax forms. "Why so many?" I asked."My son is stationed overseas," she said. "He asked me to pick up forms for the soldiers on the base.""You shouldn't have to do this," I told her. "It's the base commander's job to make sure that his troops have access to the forms they need.""I know," said the woman. "I'm the base commander's mother."

***********

Recently, a man walked into my barbershop asking how much for a haircut. "Eight dollars," I answered. "And for a shave?" "Five dollars.""All right," he said, settling into the barber chair. "Shave my head."

Last night as I was heading to bed I saw the big white full moon outside our bathroom window to the east. I decided it would be a good night to sleep with the blinds open to let some moonglow shine on me.

When the alarm went off at 6 am - I groaned but rolled over and look out the window (to the west now) and there was the beautiful full moon. I read that the April moon is the "Pink Moon" because of the wild phlox that bloom early (not around here - I won't see my phlox till July). But it was a beautiful moon and I was reminded I need to study my camera manual to see if I can get better moon shots. Makes me a little sorry I sold my 35mm when I see these sights.

This picture does not do it justice but gives you an idea - think of the moon much bigger and closer as you look at the picture. Hope you got to see it...if not I'm happy to share my view.

OK, so I just couldn't resist the "undelete this blog" button. Now, it's back. I'm not broadcasting it (well I guess I did mention it to Theresa) and it will be interesting to see if anyone takes note of it. It's my "blob" and I can do whatever I want, I guess.

Today I offer link to a neat article I read in last month's Vanity Fair about a "grafter" who sold potato peelers on the streets of Manhattan. He passed away earlier this year. http://www.vanityfair.com/magazine/2009/04/postscript200904

I went to their website as they mentioned an earlier article about him as well. It's a fascinating story and can teach us all to "never underestimate a small amount of money."

http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2006/05/grafter200605

Hope the links work for you and you can find time to check them out.

Yesterday my B/P was 179/93 at my dr appt after a stressful morning (I even rushed around shopping before the dr appt). Today after a walk on the mt with Coco (we saw two deer) B/P was 117/78 - Coco is my chosen blood pressure medication.

I need to know if anyone is reading this these days. I know I have not posted much due to lots of reasons (excuses) but some tell me they are having problems getting into the blog etc etc. So if you read this please leave a comment or email me at jandw2@frontiernet.net
I'd like to know if we have a problem or not.

It really feels like spring in the Adirondacks. Coco and I are getting out every morning, especially since I have lots of birthday cake and pie to work off. I'm getting back into our walking routine and it feels good. Things are not as slippery so less chance of falling which is a great thing.

These shots I took on the mountain behind the house. We saw two deer the other day on our trail. The pictures on the left are our "rest areas." I have a tree stump I relax on while we listen to the birds and watch for deer. That is the top of our property near a little "roundabout." The bottom left photo is our rest area on what David named Ridgewood - he made a nice log bench for us to relax on. Behind the bench is a stand of cedar where the deer often hang out. We usually leave some coins for the grandkids to find on the bench - they enjoy that. The photo on the right is one of my favorite spots on our trail. In the summer it is very shaded and cool - well this time of year too I guess, that's the only place you see ice now. But the cliffs there are really nice and lots of moss and little animal caves and I always imagine there are trolls living there too. Haven't seen one yet but they know enough to hide from me and Coco.

We are blessed to have our own hiking trail. David has done a great job blazing the trails and we are happy to share them with the deer and other critters. We've talked of putting a lean-to up there. We'll see if we get to that.

As I mentioned last week - not much time for blogging. Having two volunteer pursuits is a real challenge - then there's everything else. But so far so good. I finished the press release for the IWMF Educational Forum in Memphis at 12:30 am last night and sent it on for editing. I don't remember (brain damage ya know) if I mentioned on this blog that I have signed up as a volunteer with IWMF so if you want to check them out - here's a link. http://www.iwmf.com/
A very dear friend is being treated for this rare disease and I want to help find a cure.

Other news... SNOW!!! Just when I was getting ready to garden we awoke to 10 inches of snow this morning in our part of the Adirondacks. It seems a bit much for sugar snow but hey, Coco loved it!














APRIL FOOLS!!!!!!

Not much time for blogging these day - volunteer work is keeping me busy and that is a better use of my time.

My friend Joanne sent me a note with a link to her daughter Kristen's very cool shop and a column she writes. I thought you might enjoy checking it out. I love her "If I had fourteen children" story...
http://www.juvieshop.com/blog/2009/03/if-i-had-fourteen-children/

Enjoy!

It's Friday!

Jokes were pretty lame today. I just wasn't inspired and didn't have much time to search so you get what you get - have better??? Send them to me for future use please.

Here's this week's message:
Happy Spring! Enjoy the weekend, hope you have a safe and restful weekend. Some random jokes this week... Enjoy every minute!

Q: What's the definition of diplomacy?
A: The ability to tell a person to go to hell in such a way that they look forward to the trip.

A French poodle and a collie were walking down the street. The poodle turned to the collie and complained, “My life is such a mess. My owner is mean, my girlfriend is having an affair with a German shepherd and I’m as nervous as a cat.”“Why don’t you go see a psychiatrist?” asked the collie. “I can’t,” replied the poodle. “I’m not allowed on the couch.”

Random Thought: Do you ever notice that when you’re driving, anyone going slower than you is an idiot and everyone driving faster than you is a maniac?

Yesterday I took my first walk of the year up the trail on the tiny mountain we live on. Coco and I walk it every day - she pulls me up most of the way. I got Coco to provide me with exercise and control my blood pressure without drugs. It has worked for me so far even though I was a slacker over the winter. Our walk yesterday was nice - the snow is gone but on the way down I fell - slipped on leaves with mud underneath. I did not get hurt thankfully but jarred my backbone and bruised my hip and leg a bit. Coco finally saw me lying on the trail and came running over just like Lassie. I got up finally and hobbled on home.

This morning I looked at the trail and knew we had to go again. No falls this time. I worked hard with Coco not to pull as we were coming down and held onto trees on the steep parts. My balance is not great so when I start to fall, I generally go down. But I will simply up my awareness of the trail and not give up. I need that trail. The exercise and the solitude of it is good for me.

Which brings me to this patch above. My dad worked in the Civilian Conservation Corps when he was a teenager at the Cross Clearing Camp near Tupper Lake. He was telling me on of the jobs they did was building a ranger cabin on Mt. Morris. They had a horse to bring the lumber up but it turned out the poor horse was too old and tired to carry the lumber so the workers carried it up the mountain on their shoulders. I had been thinking of taking him up our trail with me and Coco but I worry about him falling. But I would bet he would have an easier time of walking up the trail than I do.

We started watching the series Danger UXB the other night. We watched it around 1980 on PBS and I had always wanted to see it again. I searched amazon.com and found the entire 1979 series for around $25. A great deal. Anthony Andrews (Brideshead Revisted) stars as an officer who finds himself reporting for a bomb disposal unit in London during the Blitz. The series keep you on the edge of your seat as you watch him and his squad try to defuse the unexploded bombs.

We are watching it with my dad who was in England during WWII, stationed at an air base near London. He remembers the bombing well but says it doesn't bother him to watch this. He said at one point his barracks were near an ammunition dump. The bombers made them real nervous.

My only problem with the series is understanding the British accents with my hearing problem. I usually subtitle these programs but these DVDs are not captioned. So I miss a bit but get most of it at least.

The moon was shining just to left of our oak tree when I took this picture. My camera lost the moon!

Wow! This is my 100th post! I never thought I would keep this going this long. And who knows, I probably should have quit after 10 but on and on I go. Thanks for good feedback I get from readers. It is what keeps this going. I know you are here.

What a beautiful morning! I'm not real happy with the time change. I'm not fond of walking up in the dark but this morning the full moon was shining in the window when I woke up. I got up a little after six to start breakfast for David. We had some of the bacon he got at the turkey shoot the other day and I made my favorite apple, raisin, cinnamon pancakes to go with it. Yum. I took pictures, but only professionals can make food look good. But for what it's worth here's my pics. Enjoy the day! I'm happy it is Friday and tomorrow I can get up when it is light outside. Coco and I plan a roadtrip to Life Flight to volunteer for a while tomorrow. I have not been there since December so that will be a treat for both of us and hopefully a help to Life Flight.

My recipe is simple - Aunt Jemima Complete pancake mix - instructions on the box you just add water. I peel and slice up a nice Macintosh apple, add some raisins and a tablespoon of cinnamon, mix that together in a bowl then fold gently into the pancake mix. Yum. My cinnamon was given to me by friend Holly over 20 years ago. Her first year baking at Raquette Lake Supply Company ended and she figured - that's it - gave me a canning jar full of cinnamon. Little did she know she would not only be back baking next summer but has now been doing it over 20 years. I hope I got that right - I'm not good with timeframes but you get the idea. Thanks Hol, we have certainly enjoyed every bit of that cinnamon and it still tastes and smells great. I have about 1/8 of a cup left so I'll have to buy my own new supply soon.

Today I am joining the International Waldentrom's Macroglobulinemia Foundation. Waldenstrom is a rare chronic blood cancer. Most people have never heard of this organization or the disease and that is why I feel the need to get involved (that busybody in me). I have a very dear friend with this disease and this is something I can do to help. I went to the IWMF website last week and learned more about this rare disease and probably should have just written a check and felt good about it. But after reading the patient stories (very similar to my friend's story) and learning the great need for increased awareness that can hopefully result in more research funding, I sent off an email telling them I want to help.

I don't have a lot of time. My plate is full with my volunteer work with North Country Life Flight, my 93 year old dad living with us, a hard-working husband to care for, a dog and then there is my disability that limits my activity (not complaining) but I've offered them 3 precious hour a week to see if I can help make a difference. It is not much but they seemed to appreciate the offer. Hopefully my writing and promotion background can make a difference for them.

Their goals are ambitious, much more than I've ever worked with but very necessary to funding the much needed research to bring about effective treatment and an ultimate cure for WM.

Consider joining me, if not with your time, perhaps you can write a check. Any amount will help.
Visit the IWMF website at:
http://www.iwmf.com/index.htm

Checks can be mailed to:

IWMF
3932D Swift Road
Sarasota, FL 34231

I was always a quiet, private person. Since my brain anuerysm that has changed. I've written yet another letter to the editor of the Press Republican - this one in support of the United Way and the services they support. It's a difficult time for not for profits. Giving to the United Way makes sense and helps our community. I dropped a check off to them in January at that time they were a little shy of their goal. Luckily they met it. It's an on-going campaign. The United Way supports so many organizations including North Country Life Flight. Give if you can - even a little will help.

Here's from the Sat. 3/7 Press Republican.


TO THE EDITOR: Let me start by saying I am not associated with the United Way. I'm just an ordinary citizen who has greatly benefitted from their support of local agencies. I guess in that respect I am "associated" with the United Way. Most of us are.I was so pleased to read the United Way of Clinton and Essex Counties had met their goal. They support agencies in our region that are more important than ever, given our current economic climate. The United Way provides critical financial support for health and human-services agencies — agencies that provide direct assistance to you and your neighbors when the need arises.Many employers do not participate in the payroll deduction campaign and that is unfortunate. It's such an easy way to help make your entire community a better and safer place to live in with small deductions from a paycheck. Writing a large check is not easy these days. But consider the impact of the agencies that receive support from the United Way and write the most generous check you can. Any size gift can make a difference.Thanks to all who gave to the United Way. I brought them a small, but hopefully meaningful, contribution in January. If you haven't given yet, it's not too late. You can still send your check to the United Way, 45 Tom Miller Road, Plattsburgh, NY 12901.

Jan Washburn
Keeseville

We had a lovely weekend with temperatures in the 40s and 50s - nice sunny day yesterday - mud season was in full swing. I sunk in over the tops of my muck boots while walking my crazy dog. She was knee deep walking gingerly in the mud puddles on a base of ice.

Today she was happy to be rolling in snow again. At least she likes it. It is good "sugar snow" and will disappear fairly quickly as temps hit 40s again tomorrow. The maple trees are starting to give up some sap and we'll have to order up some fresh maple syrup from our friend Scott. Perhaps a road trip to visit and pick it up.

David and Tom went to a turkey shoot in Willsboro yesterday. David was not feeing great, and it was windy and sunny and lots of other "excuses," but managed to come home with 3 lbs of slab bacon, a nice big roasting chicken and a beef roast. Not a bad take. We'll roast that big old chicken for tonight's supper.

I was going through some old pictures the other day and found one I believe to be my friend Holly's old pup Homer (left) back when he had all four of his legs. He lost one later on, I can't remember how, but still managed to get around pretty well with his 3 legs. In looking at Homer's pic it reminded me a lot of my little Coco (right). Homer was a much bigger dog than Coco - but there is definitely a resemblance of Homer in Coco.