Welcome to spring! As I’ve been traveling “down south” the past month or so helping Judy pack up her house, I’ve been watching the leaves emerge from their winter state to the spring colors of the leaves. The trees in blossom, first the forsythia, the redbud, magnolia and lilacs. Each tree more breathtakingly beautiful than the last. Along with the blossoms and blooms, it is also the time for spring births. North Settlement brags about an extra large mama bear and her 3 babies. Neil saw a 400 pounder just outside of Ashland last week, and night after night, a very large bear attacks the dumpster in the park. Under my house, I have a mama woodchuck and babies which I have been trying to get rid of for years. An orange cat in the park has 3 babies hiding in the tall grass. They were living under my porch for awhile until they got evicted and are now trying to find a quiet, safe place to live. Good luck on that.
This weekend is Memorial Day weekend (celebration, not original). The town crews are busy cleaning the cemeteries to make it easier for you to visit your loved ones. We spend so much money on funerals and headstones to memorialize our dearly departed, then forget about them. In Europe it has always been the families’ responsibility to take care of the family plot, ensuring that someone would visit at least once a year. The churches used to have work bees to clean up the gravesites, now the towns have taken over and people are complaining about the poor job that is being done. I confess, I’m guilty of not taking care of my families’ plot. Maybe this afternoon I’ll go visit.
Joy! 37 attended the dinner church and fellowship on Wednesday held in East Jewett. We really enjoyed the pancakes with the works. Next month will be June 30 in Lexington. Don’t forget it starts at 6 p.m. and it will be a potluck dinner.
Congrats to Ashleen Alberto as she was married at the Otesaga Hotel in Cooperstown on Saturday.
Many prayers and get well wishes for Vinny the retired mailman who walked every day from spring to fall, all over the area. In his younger days, he was known to have walked to Catskill. At 93 years old, he was hit by a car and taken to Albany. Thankfully he has been transferred to the VA where he is recovering.
Prayers for the family of Manuel Gonzalez whose service was held on Saturday.
Last week I talked about finding Judy’s paper dolls and doll clothes in her attic. When we went to Albany to see Janet, we brought the clothes and each item was lovingly displayed, yes, many cried over. Several dolls were lost throughout the years, and the rest are quite the worse for wear, but still well loved and remembered.
At the WAJPL meeting yesterday, the women were elated over their own memories that came. Ingrid said she has her doll which was made from tortoise shell, several had porcelain dolls, Marilyn had the first boy doll which didn’t really “fit” in with the rest of the dolls. Arlene’s story was quite touching. Does anyone remember the punch cards that we had in the ‘50s. A card would come in the mail with a bunch of holes filled with little pieces of paper. The child would go out selling a spot on the card, for a quarter or maybe 50 cents. In this case, it was for a talking doll. No, not Chatty Cathy where you pulled a string and the doll talked, but this one had a know in the belly where the baby would say phrases like “I love you, Mommy.” Arlene sold every hole and the winner was Welcome Moore who, when both dolls arrived, gave the doll to Arlene’s sister, Janet, so they both could have dolls. Of course, Arlene’s was better as it was dressed in a beautiful pink outfit, while Janet’s was in blue.
Then, the paper dolls were discussed. Arlene had an Elizabeth Taylor, beautiful paper doll, which brought the story around to Kathy J being at a political rally for John Warner. While her husband was talking to Mr. Warner, Kathy stepped back , directly on the foot of Elizabeth Taylor. “She was so tiny, I didn’t even see her,” apologized Kathy.
Just a few words evoking poignant memories, bringing together friends from different backgrounds and varied ages — making more memories.
My thought: Think of all the good things in your life. You remember the better, not bitter.
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