Tuesday, March 17, 2009


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.

Friday, March 13, 2009


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.

Thursday, March 12, 2009

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

Monday, March 9, 2009

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.

Thursday, March 5, 2009










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.