Yesterday wasn't the best day.
The phone rang. I was sound asleep.
"Hi, how are you feeling?", she asked. "I'm going out, do you need anything at the store?".
I didn't need anything.
I did remind her that she never called me back on Christmas day.
"I don't remember that.", she said.
"You said that you would call me when you got home.", I think I may have sounded surly.
"I did? Why would I say that?" she sounded puzzled.
This conversation was going nowhere.
We talked for another few minutes and finally she said, "Bea, this is Lu!".
Lu???
I thought I was talking to my favorite daughter.
It certainly explained a lot.
Why she was going home after shopping to watch "the" movie.
Why she couldn't understand why her voice mail box was full.
Why she had no clue that we were suppose to go out for coffee on Christmas day.
There are people in my life who do sound the same on the phone. My boys, for example, all sound the same on the phone. They make it a mission in their lives to carry on a conversation for as long as they can without telling me who it is. I know it is one of the four, but which one? So, I ask silly questions hoping I'll get a hint. I'm too stubborn to admit I can't tell one from the other.
Have you looked at the left side of this blog. The after Christmas sales are underway. There are some good deals happening. Please check them out.
More later :)
Have a wonderful day.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Cityville and Other Facebook Addictions
Is there a place where one can go and admit to being addicted to some of the games on Facebook?
I've tried some of the other cities and towns that Facebook offers, but grew tired of them.
Cityville, has me hooked.
If you haven't tried it, it is an interactive game where you build your tiny plot of land into various levels until you reach the top rank. Along the way, you add citizens; commercial ventures, housing, community buildings and, recently, snow and decorations.
It all seemed benign until I learned that one could add people outside the normal circle of friends.
Now, I have friends from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. While we may have a language barrier, this game allows us to play and communicate with ease.
It is like having Christmas every day. You never know what you will find when you open the browser to check on your city. Gifts fly across the board as we help each other reach our goals.
My other Facebook addictions, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune, are played with ex-coworkers; schoolmates from 50 years ago, and friends.
These are familiar games. At times they are easy to play and win. At other times, one sends the game to friends for help.
This is friendly competition. There are laughs when we realize how silly (and wrong) some answers can be. We keep on each other by passing along the message that we've just beat their high score.
The last of my addictions isn't as obsessive. I started playing The Price is Right when I considered purchasing the Wii version for the residents. The game is familiar to most of them. I thought it would be a good fit.
The Facebook version opened my eyes to an entirely different world. There are sites where one can find the prices for all the items up for bid. The game, then, isn't just people guessing the price closest to the retail price, but who has the fastest browser and who can locate that item on the spreadsheet quicker.
I know I won't have that problem with my seniors in the community room. They'll enjoy the game.
Check out the games on Facebook. Who knows, you might even find me in there one of these mornings.
Have a lovely day.
I've tried some of the other cities and towns that Facebook offers, but grew tired of them.
Cityville, has me hooked.
If you haven't tried it, it is an interactive game where you build your tiny plot of land into various levels until you reach the top rank. Along the way, you add citizens; commercial ventures, housing, community buildings and, recently, snow and decorations.
It all seemed benign until I learned that one could add people outside the normal circle of friends.
Now, I have friends from Europe, Asia, Australia, Africa and South America. While we may have a language barrier, this game allows us to play and communicate with ease.
It is like having Christmas every day. You never know what you will find when you open the browser to check on your city. Gifts fly across the board as we help each other reach our goals.
My other Facebook addictions, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune, are played with ex-coworkers; schoolmates from 50 years ago, and friends.
These are familiar games. At times they are easy to play and win. At other times, one sends the game to friends for help.
This is friendly competition. There are laughs when we realize how silly (and wrong) some answers can be. We keep on each other by passing along the message that we've just beat their high score.
The last of my addictions isn't as obsessive. I started playing The Price is Right when I considered purchasing the Wii version for the residents. The game is familiar to most of them. I thought it would be a good fit.
The Facebook version opened my eyes to an entirely different world. There are sites where one can find the prices for all the items up for bid. The game, then, isn't just people guessing the price closest to the retail price, but who has the fastest browser and who can locate that item on the spreadsheet quicker.
I know I won't have that problem with my seniors in the community room. They'll enjoy the game.
Check out the games on Facebook. Who knows, you might even find me in there one of these mornings.
Have a lovely day.
Monday, December 27, 2010
The Right Knee & Me, Week 2; Updates and Sundry Observations
Either I'm getting used to being poked in the knee or this week was exceptionally less painful. I'm not sure which, but week 2 for the right knee is in the books.
I left the doctor's office with a sense of relief, and a handicap sticker form to take to City Hall. It is only good for six months which leads me to believe that things will be much better by summer. One can only hope.
Next week is the last of the series for the right knee. The doctor warned me that this knee may not react the way the left did. I was pain free from the first day. This knee, not so much. The pain is there. The instability when I first attempt to walk is still there. I guess he his right.
We in western New York were spared the "storm of the century" that paralized the east coast.
It was a glorious day. Blue skies, sun, and a few flakes of snow.
The snow sparkled as it fell. True Christmas time snow.
UPDATES:
Alaska son and grandson are in California waiting for a flight back to Anchorage. Flights are backed up across the country. I hope they don't have too long a wait.
Alaska Deb and her daughter are in New Jersey. I understand that she is 'maintaining' and busy with her family.
Soon to be born great grandson gave us a scare Christmas Eve when his mom had contractions seven weeks too soon. Everything is back to normal now. Crystal is home and resting. Baby will just have to wait until it is his turn to join us.
OBSERVATIONS:
The Buffalo Bills need to take a page out of New England's playbook and learn how to strip the ball.
We had our usual tailgate party as we watched the disappointing game. The best part of the afternoon was spending it with friends.
I will never understand how people can eat ice cream in the dead of winter. I have no desire for something cold when the temperature is below freezing. I will make an exception. Yesterday, one of the tailgaters brought pistachio gelato. I only had a taste. The gelato was outrageously good.
Did you ever wonder why people will ask for a recipe and then begin changing it even before they try it? A friend of mine received a venison roast. He had no idea how to cook it, so I suggested my tried and true "drunk steak" recipe. This works with any roast.
Place the roast in a crockpot. Cover the entire roast with thinly sliced onions. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup chili sauce, one cup brown sugar and one can of beer; pour over the onions. Cover and let cook for about 8 hours.
How hard is that?
"How many onions?", he asked.
"Until you can't see the roast anymore", was the simple answer.
"The last time I used chli sauce, it was too spicy for me. I'll leave that out!", he decided.
"Why not use ketchup.", I suggested.
"I don't think I have any brown sugar. Can I use white sugar?".
This is NOT someone who knows his way around the kitchen.
I recommended that he get brown sugar if he wanted this to turn out edible.
I can't wait to hear how it turned out.
Now, if he doesn't like it, he will claim it is the recipe I gave him and not the changes he made to it.
Ya just can't win!
I left the doctor's office with a sense of relief, and a handicap sticker form to take to City Hall. It is only good for six months which leads me to believe that things will be much better by summer. One can only hope.
Next week is the last of the series for the right knee. The doctor warned me that this knee may not react the way the left did. I was pain free from the first day. This knee, not so much. The pain is there. The instability when I first attempt to walk is still there. I guess he his right.
We in western New York were spared the "storm of the century" that paralized the east coast.
It was a glorious day. Blue skies, sun, and a few flakes of snow.
The snow sparkled as it fell. True Christmas time snow.
UPDATES:
Alaska son and grandson are in California waiting for a flight back to Anchorage. Flights are backed up across the country. I hope they don't have too long a wait.
Alaska Deb and her daughter are in New Jersey. I understand that she is 'maintaining' and busy with her family.
Soon to be born great grandson gave us a scare Christmas Eve when his mom had contractions seven weeks too soon. Everything is back to normal now. Crystal is home and resting. Baby will just have to wait until it is his turn to join us.
OBSERVATIONS:
The Buffalo Bills need to take a page out of New England's playbook and learn how to strip the ball.
We had our usual tailgate party as we watched the disappointing game. The best part of the afternoon was spending it with friends.
I will never understand how people can eat ice cream in the dead of winter. I have no desire for something cold when the temperature is below freezing. I will make an exception. Yesterday, one of the tailgaters brought pistachio gelato. I only had a taste. The gelato was outrageously good.
Did you ever wonder why people will ask for a recipe and then begin changing it even before they try it? A friend of mine received a venison roast. He had no idea how to cook it, so I suggested my tried and true "drunk steak" recipe. This works with any roast.
Place the roast in a crockpot. Cover the entire roast with thinly sliced onions. In a small bowl, mix 1 cup chili sauce, one cup brown sugar and one can of beer; pour over the onions. Cover and let cook for about 8 hours.
How hard is that?
"How many onions?", he asked.
"Until you can't see the roast anymore", was the simple answer.
"The last time I used chli sauce, it was too spicy for me. I'll leave that out!", he decided.
"Why not use ketchup.", I suggested.
"I don't think I have any brown sugar. Can I use white sugar?".
This is NOT someone who knows his way around the kitchen.
I recommended that he get brown sugar if he wanted this to turn out edible.
I can't wait to hear how it turned out.
Now, if he doesn't like it, he will claim it is the recipe I gave him and not the changes he made to it.
Ya just can't win!
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas
Christmas Eve was a mixed bag of pathos and joy. Go figure!
Soon to be born great grandson gave his mom and dad a scare when she went into contractions seven weeks early. Fortunately, all is well. She is home resting.
Alaska family celebrated Christmas a few days early then J.D. and Doug went off to spend Christmas touring San Fransisco while Deb and Taylor left for New Jersey to visit family.
Deb became ill on the flight from Anchorage and Seattle. When she arrived in New Jersey, she went to the ER. They ran tests to discover what caused the fainting spell, she was admitted. The first good news is that they ruled out any of the "bad stuff", according to what J.D. learned. Hopefully, she will be back with her family today with a clean bill of health.
Then there is favorite daughter, who was incognito all day yesterday. Trying to reach her by phone was useless. Her voice mailbox was full. She wasn't responding to any comments or email on the computer. It seems she left her cell phone in the car and never wondered why her phone didn't ring all day.
The joy of Christmas Eve was that life returned to normal and all is well. What more can one ask for on the night before Christmas?
This early Christmas morning finds me having my coffee and watching out the tower window.
It is surprising to see people coming and going this early, but they are.
The roads look clear. The sky somewhat cloudy.
Soon, I'll see lights turn on in the neighboring houses as children awake to see what Santa brought them.
This year, I learned that FaceBook is an amazing communication tool. This Christmas I have heard from friends, relatives, and ex co-workers from both Liveworld and Kodak. We all have connected in a way that was impossible just a few years ago. Each of them share a special memory with me that brings a smile.
My Liveworld family, due to the nature of the business, are prolific online. There isn't a hour of the day that I can't find at least one right at my fingertips. There are many I have never met, but we are as close as if we lived right next door to each other. That type of friendship is a true gift.
I wish you all the merriest of Christmas'. I hope Santa is good to you.
Soon to be born great grandson gave his mom and dad a scare when she went into contractions seven weeks early. Fortunately, all is well. She is home resting.
Alaska family celebrated Christmas a few days early then J.D. and Doug went off to spend Christmas touring San Fransisco while Deb and Taylor left for New Jersey to visit family.
Deb became ill on the flight from Anchorage and Seattle. When she arrived in New Jersey, she went to the ER. They ran tests to discover what caused the fainting spell, she was admitted. The first good news is that they ruled out any of the "bad stuff", according to what J.D. learned. Hopefully, she will be back with her family today with a clean bill of health.
Then there is favorite daughter, who was incognito all day yesterday. Trying to reach her by phone was useless. Her voice mailbox was full. She wasn't responding to any comments or email on the computer. It seems she left her cell phone in the car and never wondered why her phone didn't ring all day.
The joy of Christmas Eve was that life returned to normal and all is well. What more can one ask for on the night before Christmas?
This early Christmas morning finds me having my coffee and watching out the tower window.
It is surprising to see people coming and going this early, but they are.
The roads look clear. The sky somewhat cloudy.
Soon, I'll see lights turn on in the neighboring houses as children awake to see what Santa brought them.
This year, I learned that FaceBook is an amazing communication tool. This Christmas I have heard from friends, relatives, and ex co-workers from both Liveworld and Kodak. We all have connected in a way that was impossible just a few years ago. Each of them share a special memory with me that brings a smile.
My Liveworld family, due to the nature of the business, are prolific online. There isn't a hour of the day that I can't find at least one right at my fingertips. There are many I have never met, but we are as close as if we lived right next door to each other. That type of friendship is a true gift.
I wish you all the merriest of Christmas'. I hope Santa is good to you.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Christmas Eve
I planned to write something very profound on this Christmas eve. I may still yet, but not quite now.
Everyone has worked so hard, baking cookies, shopping, wrapping, visiting friends, and making sure that those less fortunate fed and warm that I thought it was time for a little bit of levity.
There is a discussion going on another site about old television series, in particular police show.
My friend, C.M. Barons, reminded us of this gem.
Sit back, take a few seconds just to enjoy.
Everyone has worked so hard, baking cookies, shopping, wrapping, visiting friends, and making sure that those less fortunate fed and warm that I thought it was time for a little bit of levity.
There is a discussion going on another site about old television series, in particular police show.
My friend, C.M. Barons, reminded us of this gem.
Sit back, take a few seconds just to enjoy.
 |
| Merry Christmas |
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Festivus: Seinfeld's Festivus is Today!
I had to share this.
Festivus: Seinfeld's Festivus is Today!
Posted by ThirdAge News Staff - Posted December 23, 2010 11:21
Festivus, a holiday that rose to popularity thanks to the popular TV show "Seinfeld" - is today! According to the website Festivusweb.com, "Seinfeld" writer Dan O'Keefe based the concept on family traditions started by his father.
The Festivus episode of "Seinfeld" includes this memorable exchange between Frank Costanza (George Costanza's father) and Cosmo Kramer:
Frank Costanza: "Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way."
Cosmo Kramer: "What happened to the doll?"
Frank Costanza: "It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born
 Festivus for the rest of us!"
Cosmo Kramer: "That must've been some kind of doll."
Frank Costanza: "She was."
Festivus traditions include the Airing of Grievances, a giant complaining session that takes place after dinner. It's followed by the Feats of Strength, a family wrestling competition.
Happy Festivus!
Festivus: Seinfeld's Festivus is Today!
Posted by ThirdAge News Staff - Posted December 23, 2010 11:21
Festivus, a holiday that rose to popularity thanks to the popular TV show "Seinfeld" - is today! According to the website Festivusweb.com, "Seinfeld" writer Dan O'Keefe based the concept on family traditions started by his father.
The Festivus episode of "Seinfeld" includes this memorable exchange between Frank Costanza (George Costanza's father) and Cosmo Kramer:
Frank Costanza: "Many Christmases ago, I went to buy a doll for my son. I reached for the last one they had, but so did another man. As I rained blows upon him, I realized there had to be another way."
Cosmo Kramer: "What happened to the doll?"
Frank Costanza: "It was destroyed. But out of that a new holiday was born
 Festivus for the rest of us!"
Cosmo Kramer: "That must've been some kind of doll."
Frank Costanza: "She was."
Festivus traditions include the Airing of Grievances, a giant complaining session that takes place after dinner. It's followed by the Feats of Strength, a family wrestling competition.
Happy Festivus!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Care-A-Van Celebrates Christmas at 400 Towers
I received a phone call from Paul Olsen asking if Care-A-Van could come to the Towers on Tuesday evening to entertain our residents with carols, home made cookies and brownies, hot chocolate and deliver gift bags.
It would take an entire week to describe the good that Care-A-Van does in our city. Their outreach ministry makes a huge difference in the lives of many. Of course, they could come on Tuesday night.
Tuesday morning found me down in the office making posters that would let the residents know of the unexpected Christmas party.
I also had to tell the chair of Tuesday night bingo that I had usurped the community room. He would have to cancel bingo for the night. A poster had to go up for that as well.
The Snack Shop team was alerted so they could let our customers know.
Fortunately, the kitchen was serving their monthly breakfast so I asked them to tell everyone who came down about Care-A-Van's Christmas event.
Last but no least, arrangements were made to make an announcement just before the appointed time to remind the residents to join us.
That took care of the short amount of time I was allowed to be on that right knee for the morning.
The quick plans must have worked. We had over 50 attend.
It would take an entire week to describe the good that Care-A-Van does in our city. Their outreach ministry makes a huge difference in the lives of many. Of course, they could come on Tuesday night.
Tuesday morning found me down in the office making posters that would let the residents know of the unexpected Christmas party.
I also had to tell the chair of Tuesday night bingo that I had usurped the community room. He would have to cancel bingo for the night. A poster had to go up for that as well.
Fortunately, the kitchen was serving their monthly breakfast so I asked them to tell everyone who came down about Care-A-Van's Christmas event.
Last but no least, arrangements were made to make an announcement just before the appointed time to remind the residents to join us.
That took care of the short amount of time I was allowed to be on that right knee for the morning.
The quick plans must have worked. We had over 50 attend.
It was a great evening. The folks really got into the spirit of the season. The pictures are courtesy of Robin Walters, from Care-A-Van. She was busy all evening.
I found myself stationed at the front door to let their volunteers in. The wind was blowing. Robin never gave me an opportunity to pull a brush through my hair before we had our picture taken together.
Thank you Care-A-Van for a beautiful evening.
 |
| It's almost time. Are you ready? |
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Please Give to Your Local Food Bank
Erin Barnett is the director of Local Harvest. I received this newsletter today and felt it was important to share.
Welcome back to the LocalHarvest newsletter.
My husband spends his days teaching science to 150 seventh graders. If you remember your seventh grade science teacher, you know that one of the job requirements is being utterly unflappable. Check: virtually nothing phases this man. So when he came home last week all worked up about a news story, I put down what I was doing and listened.
It seems that in this land of milk and honey, the home of the free and the brave, one in six children don't always have enough to eat.
If you are like me, it is difficult to take in statistics like this. It is hard to believe that our nation has to grapple with both a childhood obesity epidemic and millions of hungry kids. The issue is made more slippery by the irony that in some cases these are the same children - overweight because junkfood is cheap, and living in homes where they sometimes have to skip meals. But as my husband shook his head in disbelief, "One in SIX, Erin - here!" I knew he was thinking of his students. Five classes of 30 twelve year olds: statistically, 25 of his kids would fall into the "food insecure" category. That's not a lot of kids compared to the 17 million who sometimes go hungry, but five per class sure does make it real.
I went back to the CNN story that Ed had read about the "new hungry." The line that got me was this, "And, the winter school holidays add to the woes of families in financial despair. Many parents will need to find alternative ways to provide breakfasts and lunches." Right - when kids are home from school for a break, the grocery bill goes way up. So in addition to the incalculable internal pressure to do right by their kids in the Christmas gift department, millions of parents are also worrying about whether there will be enough in the fridge to make lunch over break.
That's just the quantity issue. Quality is another thing. It's no secret that the dominant food system is making us sicker and fatter than ever. I could go on and on about this, but let me give you a visual instead, an obesity trend from the Center for Disease Control. It is amazing.
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
The good news is that there is so much work to be done on this one that there's plenty of room for everyone to find something they can do to help. Last week I received two emails from representatives of food banks looking to work with local farmers to increase the amount of fresh produce they can offer their clients, and another email from someone working to encourage CSAs in her area to offer subsidized shares for low income people. These community based efforts give me hope that in 2011 we will make some progress toward feeding our children not only enough, but well.
Here, with thanks to John Robbins, is my prayer for the New Year.
May all be fed.
May all be healed.
May all be loved.
Take good care,
Erin
Erin Barnett
Director
LocalHarvest
http://www.localharvest.org/
Welcome back to the LocalHarvest newsletter.
My husband spends his days teaching science to 150 seventh graders. If you remember your seventh grade science teacher, you know that one of the job requirements is being utterly unflappable. Check: virtually nothing phases this man. So when he came home last week all worked up about a news story, I put down what I was doing and listened.
It seems that in this land of milk and honey, the home of the free and the brave, one in six children don't always have enough to eat.
If you are like me, it is difficult to take in statistics like this. It is hard to believe that our nation has to grapple with both a childhood obesity epidemic and millions of hungry kids. The issue is made more slippery by the irony that in some cases these are the same children - overweight because junkfood is cheap, and living in homes where they sometimes have to skip meals. But as my husband shook his head in disbelief, "One in SIX, Erin - here!" I knew he was thinking of his students. Five classes of 30 twelve year olds: statistically, 25 of his kids would fall into the "food insecure" category. That's not a lot of kids compared to the 17 million who sometimes go hungry, but five per class sure does make it real.
I went back to the CNN story that Ed had read about the "new hungry." The line that got me was this, "And, the winter school holidays add to the woes of families in financial despair. Many parents will need to find alternative ways to provide breakfasts and lunches." Right - when kids are home from school for a break, the grocery bill goes way up. So in addition to the incalculable internal pressure to do right by their kids in the Christmas gift department, millions of parents are also worrying about whether there will be enough in the fridge to make lunch over break.
That's just the quantity issue. Quality is another thing. It's no secret that the dominant food system is making us sicker and fatter than ever. I could go on and on about this, but let me give you a visual instead, an obesity trend from the Center for Disease Control. It is amazing.
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/trends.html
The good news is that there is so much work to be done on this one that there's plenty of room for everyone to find something they can do to help. Last week I received two emails from representatives of food banks looking to work with local farmers to increase the amount of fresh produce they can offer their clients, and another email from someone working to encourage CSAs in her area to offer subsidized shares for low income people. These community based efforts give me hope that in 2011 we will make some progress toward feeding our children not only enough, but well.
Here, with thanks to John Robbins, is my prayer for the New Year.
May all be fed.
May all be healed.
May all be loved.
Take good care,
Erin
Erin Barnett
Director
LocalHarvest
http://www.localharvest.org/
Maple Baked Spiced Pears
I love pears. They are sweet, juicy and messy. A definite comfort food around this time of year.
Every once in a while, I come across a recipe that is different than most. This Maple Baked Spiced Pear is one of them.
Enjoy.
Recipes From "The Grove"
Maple Baked Spiced Pears
4 firm pears
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Maple Grove Pure Maple Syrup
1 teaspoon ginger powder
6 whole allspice
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup vanilla wafers, crushed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375F. Core and peel pears and cut into large chunks. Spoon into a 1-quart baking dish. Drizzle with lemon juice. Set aside. In a small saucepan, melt next 5 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour syrup mixture over pears. Sprinkle with cranberries and wafers. Bake for 30 minutes.
Every once in a while, I come across a recipe that is different than most. This Maple Baked Spiced Pear is one of them.
Enjoy.
Maple Baked Spiced Pears
4 firm pears
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1/2 cup orange marmalade
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup Maple Grove Pure Maple Syrup
1 teaspoon ginger powder
6 whole allspice
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup vanilla wafers, crushed
Directions:
Preheat oven to 375F. Core and peel pears and cut into large chunks. Spoon into a 1-quart baking dish. Drizzle with lemon juice. Set aside. In a small saucepan, melt next 5 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Remove from heat and pour syrup mixture over pears. Sprinkle with cranberries and wafers. Bake for 30 minutes.
The Lunar Eclipse - From Florida to Alaska
I couldn't catch the eclipse this morning. It was cloudy and snowing the last time I looked out the window. I finally gave up and went to bed.
My Florida family and my Alaska family did stay up to watch it.
This was the view from Alaska, with thanks to Deb - my son, J.D.'s lovely lady.
My Florida family and my Alaska family did stay up to watch it.
This was the view from Florida with thanks to my son, Eric:
This was the view from Alaska, with thanks to Deb - my son, J.D.'s lovely lady.There is something about this that brings the family together regardless of how far away they are from each other.
Thanks, Eric and Deb for sharing.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Last Minute Christmas Gift Ideas - Give the gift of home.
The Muckdogs Holiday Pack: four undated ticket coupons, a coupon for a 2011 yearbook, and a Muckdogs t-shirt for only $25.It's the perfect gift for every baseball fan on your list. You can purchase a Muckdogs Holiday Pack at Dwyer Stadium or by calling (585) 343-5454 and pressing 'zero' to order by phone (Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m). Season Tickets, Coupon Books, and Ticket Packs are also available for the 2011 season.
http://batavia.muckdogs.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t511
Welcome to Kutter's Cheese. Since 1923 Kutter's Cheese has stood for cheese of the highest quality and superb taste. Please enjoy your shopping experience on our web site. Feel free to contact us using the information below. We would be happy to take your order over the phone.
You can purchase Kutter's Cheeses or Yancey's Fancy Cheeses through their site.
Learn more about Kutter's Cheese by visiting their About Us page or watch the past unfold on their History page.
We also have a partnership with Hunt Country Vineyards as one of the first satellite wineries in New York. Through this partnership we can offer a large selection of wines and conduct wine tastings.
http://kuttercheese.com/
What says more than 'home' than Oliver's Candy. Sponge candy is always a welcome gift. Check our their holiday features at:
http://www.oliverscandies.com/
Mary Margaret is busy this week on the orders she received from loyal customers. You can still contact her for gift certificates. Or, wait until next week to order your gift from home for New Year's Eve or Day.
http://www.scratchbakery.biz/default.html
In 1989 we built a small retail market and a cold storage for over 60,000 bushels of apples. Today we have grown to include an ice cream shoppe, greenhouse, Watt’s Orchard Express Orchard Train and train station and an animal enclosure.
http://www.wattfarms.com/
Merle Maple was awarded four of seven first place ribbons in the maple categories at the New York State Fair in 2007 - and Best of Show for on our maple syrup the fourth time in seven years! We are dedicated to providing you with the best products available.
At Merle Maple Farm, we produce a wide array of pure maple products and gourmet foods to titillate the most discriminating palette. Welcome to our Farm.
You can order over this web page, on our email lyleanddottie@merlemaple.com, or give us a call at 585-535-7136. We accept Visa and Master Card.
http://www.merlemaple.com/
http://batavia.muckdogs.milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t511
Welcome to Kutter's Cheese. Since 1923 Kutter's Cheese has stood for cheese of the highest quality and superb taste. Please enjoy your shopping experience on our web site. Feel free to contact us using the information below. We would be happy to take your order over the phone.
You can purchase Kutter's Cheeses or Yancey's Fancy Cheeses through their site.
Learn more about Kutter's Cheese by visiting their About Us page or watch the past unfold on their History page.
We also have a partnership with Hunt Country Vineyards as one of the first satellite wineries in New York. Through this partnership we can offer a large selection of wines and conduct wine tastings.
http://kuttercheese.com/
What says more than 'home' than Oliver's Candy. Sponge candy is always a welcome gift. Check our their holiday features at:
http://www.oliverscandies.com/
Mary Margaret is busy this week on the orders she received from loyal customers. You can still contact her for gift certificates. Or, wait until next week to order your gift from home for New Year's Eve or Day.
http://www.scratchbakery.biz/default.html
In 1989 we built a small retail market and a cold storage for over 60,000 bushels of apples. Today we have grown to include an ice cream shoppe, greenhouse, Watt’s Orchard Express Orchard Train and train station and an animal enclosure.
http://www.wattfarms.com/
Merle Maple was awarded four of seven first place ribbons in the maple categories at the New York State Fair in 2007 - and Best of Show for on our maple syrup the fourth time in seven years! We are dedicated to providing you with the best products available.
At Merle Maple Farm, we produce a wide array of pure maple products and gourmet foods to titillate the most discriminating palette. Welcome to our Farm.
You can order over this web page, on our email lyleanddottie@merlemaple.com, or give us a call at 585-535-7136. We accept Visa and Master Card.
http://www.merlemaple.com/
The Right Knee and Me Week 1
Week one for the gel injection series went well. No fluid was removed, this was just the injection.
The waiting room only had two people in it when I walked in. It looked promising that I wouldn't be there long.
The young boy, sitting in front of me, was called in. A lady came out of the treatment area. She and the lady sitting behind me left together. That left me. It was exactly 4pm, my appointment time. It looked promising that I'd be in and out in no time flat.
WRONG!
Another lady walked out of the treatment area, then another, then a man, then another lady. No one in the waiting room but me.
I was called in at 4:20 and out by 4:25. I guess, all things considered, that isn't a long time.
We arrived at my favorite daughter's house by 4:30 to pick up the television that is replacing my totally dead TV.
I got home and had the tv up and running by 4:45pm. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
Thank you, Sue for the use of the tv. Thanks to Brian to carrying it to the car. Thanks to Shop and Stop for taking me to the appointment, waiting for me and picking up the television and getting it into the building for me.
The waiting room only had two people in it when I walked in. It looked promising that I wouldn't be there long.
The young boy, sitting in front of me, was called in. A lady came out of the treatment area. She and the lady sitting behind me left together. That left me. It was exactly 4pm, my appointment time. It looked promising that I'd be in and out in no time flat.
WRONG!
Another lady walked out of the treatment area, then another, then a man, then another lady. No one in the waiting room but me.
I was called in at 4:20 and out by 4:25. I guess, all things considered, that isn't a long time.
We arrived at my favorite daughter's house by 4:30 to pick up the television that is replacing my totally dead TV.
I got home and had the tv up and running by 4:45pm. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
Thank you, Sue for the use of the tv. Thanks to Brian to carrying it to the car. Thanks to Shop and Stop for taking me to the appointment, waiting for me and picking up the television and getting it into the building for me.
A Typical Sunday, Sort of.
I've waited all day for something momentus to happen to chronicle. It never happened.
I went shopping for the tailgating party this morning and then we stopped at Denny's for breakfast.
Their Holiday Slam looked appealing. Two of the items were orange/cranberry pancakes and gingerbread french toast. How could one resist?
Hint, if you decide to try them together. Eat all of the orange/cranberry pancakes first.
I tried the pancakes and you could certainly taste the orange juice and the cranberries. But, then I tasted the gingerbread french toast. I love gingerbread. It didn't need the warm maple syrup that came with it.
Ginger is a strong spice with an after taste that lasts quite some time. Going back to the pancakes after tasting the french toast was a let down. While I know the flavors were still there, they were overpowered by a ginger taste that wouldn't go away.
Got back home just in time to put the finishing touches on the food and get it down to the community room to watch the Bill's/Miami game. Florida son was at the game to cheer on the Bills'. I had everyone in the room looking for Bills' fans but we never did catch a glimpse of him. I figured it wouldn't be hard to spot red, white, and blue in a sea of Dolphin colors, but it was.
I thought the Bills' played like contenders today. It was a fun game to watch, even knowing that they were eliminated from any playoff hope weeks ago. Congrats to the Bills' for the win today!
I have an invitation for coffee tomorrow morning from one of the posters on thebatavian.com. John and I rarely see eye to eye on anything, and this coffee meeting is to see if we can find common ground.
I think we have on the issue of seven people being displaced by the Town of Batavia with less that 24 hours notice.
This story has many facets. An out of state slum lord. A motel that was turned into apartments but has fallen on hard times and disrepair. The Town of Batavia that wants that land to expand a neighboring park. The Town of Batavia's building inspector who condemned the building. The slumlord who didn't let the tenants know that they would be evicted a week before Christmas. The tenants who had less than a day to find another place to live and who are unable to get their belongings out of their apartments. One couple has a 10 month old baby.
That couple was placed in another motel by the Department of Social Services.
The rest found that they couldn't get help from DSS; the Salvation Army or the Red Cross.
This is a story of a Town of Batavia official who never took the plight of the tenants into consideration when he visted them and told them they had 17 hours to evacuate their apartments.
Perhaps, at this 'summit' meeting, we can work together to help out these families.
Wii bowling/golf had quite a turnout tonight. My only claim to the evening was the 224 I bowled.
Tomorrow, I start off with coffee with my protaganist. I staff the shop from 9am-Noon. I hope to make the Euchre tournament at 1pm. The first injection for the right knee is scheduled for 4pm. The Girl Scouts are coming to carol at 6:30pm I am going to try to make it down to listen to them, but it will depend on how the knee feels.
I went shopping for the tailgating party this morning and then we stopped at Denny's for breakfast.
Their Holiday Slam looked appealing. Two of the items were orange/cranberry pancakes and gingerbread french toast. How could one resist?
Hint, if you decide to try them together. Eat all of the orange/cranberry pancakes first.
I tried the pancakes and you could certainly taste the orange juice and the cranberries. But, then I tasted the gingerbread french toast. I love gingerbread. It didn't need the warm maple syrup that came with it.
Ginger is a strong spice with an after taste that lasts quite some time. Going back to the pancakes after tasting the french toast was a let down. While I know the flavors were still there, they were overpowered by a ginger taste that wouldn't go away.
Got back home just in time to put the finishing touches on the food and get it down to the community room to watch the Bill's/Miami game. Florida son was at the game to cheer on the Bills'. I had everyone in the room looking for Bills' fans but we never did catch a glimpse of him. I figured it wouldn't be hard to spot red, white, and blue in a sea of Dolphin colors, but it was.
I thought the Bills' played like contenders today. It was a fun game to watch, even knowing that they were eliminated from any playoff hope weeks ago. Congrats to the Bills' for the win today!
I have an invitation for coffee tomorrow morning from one of the posters on thebatavian.com. John and I rarely see eye to eye on anything, and this coffee meeting is to see if we can find common ground.
I think we have on the issue of seven people being displaced by the Town of Batavia with less that 24 hours notice.
This story has many facets. An out of state slum lord. A motel that was turned into apartments but has fallen on hard times and disrepair. The Town of Batavia that wants that land to expand a neighboring park. The Town of Batavia's building inspector who condemned the building. The slumlord who didn't let the tenants know that they would be evicted a week before Christmas. The tenants who had less than a day to find another place to live and who are unable to get their belongings out of their apartments. One couple has a 10 month old baby.
That couple was placed in another motel by the Department of Social Services.
The rest found that they couldn't get help from DSS; the Salvation Army or the Red Cross.
This is a story of a Town of Batavia official who never took the plight of the tenants into consideration when he visted them and told them they had 17 hours to evacuate their apartments.
Perhaps, at this 'summit' meeting, we can work together to help out these families.
Wii bowling/golf had quite a turnout tonight. My only claim to the evening was the 224 I bowled.
Tomorrow, I start off with coffee with my protaganist. I staff the shop from 9am-Noon. I hope to make the Euchre tournament at 1pm. The first injection for the right knee is scheduled for 4pm. The Girl Scouts are coming to carol at 6:30pm I am going to try to make it down to listen to them, but it will depend on how the knee feels.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Christmas Memories and Other Things.
Today is my birthday.
I am so blessed with good wishes from family and friends. This is the ONE morning, I don't mind the early phone calls. Even at my age, it is comforting when my aunt calls and sings, in her best soprano voice, “Happy birthday!”.
She is the last of my family who recollects the day I was born.
My soon to be godfather and cousin, Sam, drove my mom to the hospital on that very stormy and snowy Friday. He had a little two seat coupe'. My father walked to the hospital. Dad would leave for the Army Air Corps in a few weeks, but he was there for my arrival.
Mom and I moved back in with my grandparents after my father left. I can only imagine the chaos an infant caused in a household of adults.
My grandfather worked in a foundry; my grandmother sewed in a shirt factory; my aunts both had jobs and my mom worked in a war plant. How they juggled their schedules to arrange to tend to a baby is beyond me.
My dad and my uncle had to feel like the most popular guys in their units if receiving mail was any standard. Pictures of me went to North Africa and Saipan frequently. When I look back on those pictures, I can't help but wonder when my aunt found time to do anything else but chronicle my every move. The joys of being the only child; only niece, and only grandchild. Of course, that didn't last forever. After the war, my mom and her sisters seem to work overtime to populate the family. In fact, my youngest first cousin is just a few weeks older than my oldest son.
I think one of my favorite stories about this time of year was the Christmas before World War 2 ended.
For the first time, in four years, our family would be together. My dad and my uncle were home. My aunts were both engaged and their soon to be husbands were at the house to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas in any Italian family is a food event that starts immediately after Midnight Mass and continues until late on Christmas Day.
One of my birthday gifts, that year, was a beautiful WHITE velvet dress with a blue sash. My grandmother, a talented seamstress, made it for me and made the identical dress for the doll I would receive for Christmas. But, I'm getting ahead of the story.
That Christmas Eve day was filled with activity. My best friend, playmate, cousin and next door neighbor, Chuck, and I were at loose ends. Chuck was five and the leader of our adventure that day.
Typical of four and five year olds, we were looking for something to do. It was too cold to be outdoors and we had exhausted playing indoor games. No matter which room we wandered in, we seemed to be in the way.
I'm not sure why I had that dress on that late afternoon. Possibly it was because we had company coming for an early supper. Suffice to say, I was dressed in that velvet WHITE dress when Chuck had a brainstorm.
My grandmother's cellar was divided into four rooms. One was a kitchen where she did her canning and used the spare stove for added cooking space on occasions like family get togethers. One was my grandfather's wine cellar. One held the old Maytag wringer washing machine and the other room was the coal cellar.
THAT was our target. What would be more fun than playing king of the hill on a mountain of coal?
Eventually, someone noticed that we were missing. After a quick search of the upstairs they followed our voices to the cellar.
There I was, my WHITE velvet dress AND my curly blonde hair were pitch black!
I'm sure we both gave them the most innocent looks we could mustar at the time. It didn't work.
Chuck was sent home and I was brought to the tub to be scrubbed.
Later that evening my grandfather and I left our stocking for Santa. Every year he and I shared one of his long white winter stockings. Santa would leave a bottle of Genesee Cream Ale and an artichoke for my grandfather and I would get the orange, an artichoke, and the little toys and candy. My grandmother would immediately take the artichokes and prepare them for our Christmas day dinner.
Silly traditions makes memories, I guess.
I woke up on Christmas morning and listened to see if anyone was awake. I shouldn't have been surprised to hear my grandparents talking in the kitchen. But, it was a surprise to also hear the rest of the family already up.
I went downstairs anxious to see what Santa brought. The first order of business was the stocking. I would find that in the kitchen where we had left it the night before.
Grandpa was sitting at the table with the stocking in front of him. He had a very stern look on his face and I knew that something wasn't right.
He reached in and took out his Genesee Cream Ale. He reached in, again, and took out his artichoke.
Then, he pushed the stocking over to me.
I reached in and pulled out a lump of coal. I emptied the stocking on the table. It was filled with coal.
My grandmother, aunts, uncle and my parents stifling a giggle as they looked on. Can you imagine how crushed a four year old could be?
We left for church that morning before opening gifts. I was sure that Santa had totally forgotten me.
My punishment obviously fit the crime.
When we returned from church, we went into the living room to open gifts. One of my presents was the doll, dressed in her pristine WHITE velvet dress. She was sitting at a table and chair set just the right size for tea parties. On that table was my stocking, filled with the goodies that every little kid loves.
That year's gifts were extra special because I was so sure I wouldn't get anything. They also seem to hold the most memories. The life size baby doll would become the model for the myriad of baby sweaters and caps my grandmother would crochet for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Grandma continued to make my clothes and always made sure that Clarissa, my doll, was dressed to match.
Sadly, much later, my doll was stolen from my grandmother's home while she was in the hospital. It was never recovered.
I was having a tea party at that table and chair set when a phone call came for my grandfather to tell him that President Roosevelt had died. I wandered out of the dining room while my grandfather was on the phone. When I returned, he had gone down cellar (perhaps for a nip out of the wine cellar). I went back to the table to discover that my doll's cookie had a huge bite out of it. Of course, he would never admit that he did it.
This is the time of year I most miss those who have passed. My parents, my aunt and uncles, my best childhood friend, Chuck, my sister, and of course my grandparents.
I am so blessed with good wishes from family and friends. This is the ONE morning, I don't mind the early phone calls. Even at my age, it is comforting when my aunt calls and sings, in her best soprano voice, “Happy birthday!”.
She is the last of my family who recollects the day I was born.
My soon to be godfather and cousin, Sam, drove my mom to the hospital on that very stormy and snowy Friday. He had a little two seat coupe'. My father walked to the hospital. Dad would leave for the Army Air Corps in a few weeks, but he was there for my arrival.
Mom and I moved back in with my grandparents after my father left. I can only imagine the chaos an infant caused in a household of adults.
My grandfather worked in a foundry; my grandmother sewed in a shirt factory; my aunts both had jobs and my mom worked in a war plant. How they juggled their schedules to arrange to tend to a baby is beyond me.
My dad and my uncle had to feel like the most popular guys in their units if receiving mail was any standard. Pictures of me went to North Africa and Saipan frequently. When I look back on those pictures, I can't help but wonder when my aunt found time to do anything else but chronicle my every move. The joys of being the only child; only niece, and only grandchild. Of course, that didn't last forever. After the war, my mom and her sisters seem to work overtime to populate the family. In fact, my youngest first cousin is just a few weeks older than my oldest son.
I think one of my favorite stories about this time of year was the Christmas before World War 2 ended.
For the first time, in four years, our family would be together. My dad and my uncle were home. My aunts were both engaged and their soon to be husbands were at the house to celebrate Christmas.
Christmas in any Italian family is a food event that starts immediately after Midnight Mass and continues until late on Christmas Day.
One of my birthday gifts, that year, was a beautiful WHITE velvet dress with a blue sash. My grandmother, a talented seamstress, made it for me and made the identical dress for the doll I would receive for Christmas. But, I'm getting ahead of the story.
That Christmas Eve day was filled with activity. My best friend, playmate, cousin and next door neighbor, Chuck, and I were at loose ends. Chuck was five and the leader of our adventure that day.
Typical of four and five year olds, we were looking for something to do. It was too cold to be outdoors and we had exhausted playing indoor games. No matter which room we wandered in, we seemed to be in the way.
I'm not sure why I had that dress on that late afternoon. Possibly it was because we had company coming for an early supper. Suffice to say, I was dressed in that velvet WHITE dress when Chuck had a brainstorm.
My grandmother's cellar was divided into four rooms. One was a kitchen where she did her canning and used the spare stove for added cooking space on occasions like family get togethers. One was my grandfather's wine cellar. One held the old Maytag wringer washing machine and the other room was the coal cellar.
THAT was our target. What would be more fun than playing king of the hill on a mountain of coal?
Eventually, someone noticed that we were missing. After a quick search of the upstairs they followed our voices to the cellar.
There I was, my WHITE velvet dress AND my curly blonde hair were pitch black!
I'm sure we both gave them the most innocent looks we could mustar at the time. It didn't work.
Chuck was sent home and I was brought to the tub to be scrubbed.
Later that evening my grandfather and I left our stocking for Santa. Every year he and I shared one of his long white winter stockings. Santa would leave a bottle of Genesee Cream Ale and an artichoke for my grandfather and I would get the orange, an artichoke, and the little toys and candy. My grandmother would immediately take the artichokes and prepare them for our Christmas day dinner.
Silly traditions makes memories, I guess.
I woke up on Christmas morning and listened to see if anyone was awake. I shouldn't have been surprised to hear my grandparents talking in the kitchen. But, it was a surprise to also hear the rest of the family already up.
I went downstairs anxious to see what Santa brought. The first order of business was the stocking. I would find that in the kitchen where we had left it the night before.
Grandpa was sitting at the table with the stocking in front of him. He had a very stern look on his face and I knew that something wasn't right.
He reached in and took out his Genesee Cream Ale. He reached in, again, and took out his artichoke.
Then, he pushed the stocking over to me.
I reached in and pulled out a lump of coal. I emptied the stocking on the table. It was filled with coal.
My grandmother, aunts, uncle and my parents stifling a giggle as they looked on. Can you imagine how crushed a four year old could be?
We left for church that morning before opening gifts. I was sure that Santa had totally forgotten me.
My punishment obviously fit the crime.
When we returned from church, we went into the living room to open gifts. One of my presents was the doll, dressed in her pristine WHITE velvet dress. She was sitting at a table and chair set just the right size for tea parties. On that table was my stocking, filled with the goodies that every little kid loves.
That year's gifts were extra special because I was so sure I wouldn't get anything. They also seem to hold the most memories. The life size baby doll would become the model for the myriad of baby sweaters and caps my grandmother would crochet for her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Grandma continued to make my clothes and always made sure that Clarissa, my doll, was dressed to match.
Sadly, much later, my doll was stolen from my grandmother's home while she was in the hospital. It was never recovered.
I was having a tea party at that table and chair set when a phone call came for my grandfather to tell him that President Roosevelt had died. I wandered out of the dining room while my grandfather was on the phone. When I returned, he had gone down cellar (perhaps for a nip out of the wine cellar). I went back to the table to discover that my doll's cookie had a huge bite out of it. Of course, he would never admit that he did it.
This is the time of year I most miss those who have passed. My parents, my aunt and uncles, my best childhood friend, Chuck, my sister, and of course my grandparents.
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| 7 days til Christmas 6 Shopping Days |
Friday, December 17, 2010
December Book Discussion - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
We all know the book. It is a tale many read every Christmas Eve. It certainly has been transformed from the written word to film often enough. This month, the 400 Towers Discussion Group will look beyond the obvious and delve into the hidden layers of this short story.
If you were to join us, you would have to walk in with an answer to the mystery question of the month, "In what year did The Christmas Carol take place?". Our readers were asked to come with their answer and the ability to defend it.
The answer, by the way, can be found in the story.
The obvious, of course is the transformation of Scrooge from a miserly old man into a generous soul who "keeps Christmas all year long".
Our meeting will focus on the characters in the book and what each of them represents in Victorian England. Do we find that same representation in today's society?
Clocks, bells and chimes are found throughout the book. What do they signify?
It should be a lively and fun discussion.
In January, we will not only read, Tapestry: A Life Walk Among Friends but also host the author Jim Nigro. More about that next month.
In February, our discussion group will be part of "A Tale For Three Counties". A Tale for Three Counties" is an area-wide "one book" project for Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties in western New York State and is presented by the 20 public libraries in these counties, Genesee Community College, Batavia's The Daily News, and Genesee Valley Educational Partnerships School Library System.
The book, this year, is Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.
Over the years, A Tale for Three Counties has featured:
•2010 The Art of Racing in the Rain
•2009: Separate From the World
•2008: The Last Town on Earth
•2007:An Unfinished Life
•2006: A Northern Light
•2005: In the Bleak Midwinter
•2004: Northern Borders
•2003: Peace Like a River
You can learn more about A Tale of Three Counties at http://taleforthreecounties.org/
Chairing the book discussions is so much fun. I love it when one of our readers stops by the shop (our local library delivers the books to the shop for our readers to pick up) and tells me how much they are enjoying a book. It is even more interesting to talk to someone who had a hard time getting into the book, but several chapters later will announce they can't put the book down.
If you were to join us, you would have to walk in with an answer to the mystery question of the month, "In what year did The Christmas Carol take place?". Our readers were asked to come with their answer and the ability to defend it.
The answer, by the way, can be found in the story.
The obvious, of course is the transformation of Scrooge from a miserly old man into a generous soul who "keeps Christmas all year long".
Our meeting will focus on the characters in the book and what each of them represents in Victorian England. Do we find that same representation in today's society?
Clocks, bells and chimes are found throughout the book. What do they signify?
It should be a lively and fun discussion.
In January, we will not only read, Tapestry: A Life Walk Among Friends but also host the author Jim Nigro. More about that next month.
In February, our discussion group will be part of "A Tale For Three Counties". A Tale for Three Counties" is an area-wide "one book" project for Genesee, Orleans, and Wyoming Counties in western New York State and is presented by the 20 public libraries in these counties, Genesee Community College, Batavia's The Daily News, and Genesee Valley Educational Partnerships School Library System.
The book, this year, is Mudbound by Hillary Jordan.
Over the years, A Tale for Three Counties has featured:
•2010 The Art of Racing in the Rain
•2009: Separate From the World
•2008: The Last Town on Earth
•2007:An Unfinished Life
•2006: A Northern Light
•2005: In the Bleak Midwinter
•2004: Northern Borders
•2003: Peace Like a River
You can learn more about A Tale of Three Counties at http://taleforthreecounties.org/
Chairing the book discussions is so much fun. I love it when one of our readers stops by the shop (our local library delivers the books to the shop for our readers to pick up) and tells me how much they are enjoying a book. It is even more interesting to talk to someone who had a hard time getting into the book, but several chapters later will announce they can't put the book down.
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| It's almost here! Are you ready? |
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christmas Food Court Flash Mob, Hallelujah Chorus
This is going to be one of my favorite holiday videos this year.
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| Have you been naughty or nice? |
North Point's iBand
I said I wouldn't send out The Carol of the Bells this year, but then this video fell into my lap. I'm enchanted by the sounds that they are making using iPods and iPads.
Enjoy!
North Point's iBand
Enjoy!
North Point's iBand
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| 9 more days til' Christmas 8 more shopping das 3 more days until I turn (mumble). |
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Why I'm Not Decorating This Year
Three years ago, I received a gorgeous lap robe that has a Christmas tree and gifts on it. The colors match my sofa, so it stays there all year long.
Two years ago, I received a wonderful gift. It was a print of a small country village with the words, "All Hearts Come Home For Christmas". I hung it on the wall and surrounded it with pictures of my five "big" people. I never took it down.
Last year, I received a beautiful basket filled with wine, crackers and snacks just perfect for a wine tasting. The basket sits on my baker's rack. It is a festive reminder of the season.
Last year, I also received a colorful throw. It is red with colorful dots. It is Christmasy, yes, but it has been by my computer for a year. It keeps me warm on chilly nights.
Hanging by my door is an artificial wreath I received last year. It hangs there because I had no where else to store it. It is right in style today.
As I looked around, I also noticed the snowman that was hand made from styrofoam. Why would I keep that snowman around all year? It has a thermometer on it that tells me how warm or cold it is in the apartment.
On the top shelf, by my bed, is the Thomas Kinkade porcelain bell, a gift from my favorite daughter many years ago.
A week ago, I looked around to decide how to decorate and decided I really didn't have to. My favorite Christmas things surround me every day.
There are three exceptions:
On my hall table you will find my Santa that holds a platter just right for cookies, and my nativity figures, gifts from my Michigan family.
I, also, carefully unwrapped a snow globe that comes out once a year.
My decorating is done. :)
Two years ago, I received a wonderful gift. It was a print of a small country village with the words, "All Hearts Come Home For Christmas". I hung it on the wall and surrounded it with pictures of my five "big" people. I never took it down.
Last year, I received a beautiful basket filled with wine, crackers and snacks just perfect for a wine tasting. The basket sits on my baker's rack. It is a festive reminder of the season.
Last year, I also received a colorful throw. It is red with colorful dots. It is Christmasy, yes, but it has been by my computer for a year. It keeps me warm on chilly nights.
Hanging by my door is an artificial wreath I received last year. It hangs there because I had no where else to store it. It is right in style today.
As I looked around, I also noticed the snowman that was hand made from styrofoam. Why would I keep that snowman around all year? It has a thermometer on it that tells me how warm or cold it is in the apartment.
On the top shelf, by my bed, is the Thomas Kinkade porcelain bell, a gift from my favorite daughter many years ago.
A week ago, I looked around to decide how to decorate and decided I really didn't have to. My favorite Christmas things surround me every day.
There are three exceptions:
On my hall table you will find my Santa that holds a platter just right for cookies, and my nativity figures, gifts from my Michigan family.
I, also, carefully unwrapped a snow globe that comes out once a year.
My decorating is done. :)
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| 10 days to Christmas 9 Shopping Days |
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Constructive Tuesday
This storm has teased us for almost two days. The view from the window is no different than it was a week ago. Big flakes of snow blowing in from the west.
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| View from my window. Same picture, different day! |
I'm glad I didn't have to go out. There was enough to keep me busy right here.
Before I went down to open the shop for the day, I had a brainstorm (which are always dangerous).
I checked NOAA weather and copied the storm warnings. Printed a sign "Today's Forecast", pasted the forecast, and left a gentle reminder on the bottom that The Snack Shop carries soups, mac & cheese, lean pockets, hot chocolate and hot tea. The one thing I didn't have to remind our residents about was stamps. They went out the door like hot cakes. When I left the shop after my shift at 6pm we had sold 115 stamps.
The signs went up at each elevator, in the community room, and on our bulletin board in front of the shop. They had to have some effect since we did a booming business all day long.
The one item that really surprises me is ice cream! There is a wind chill of -6 and they still buy ice cream.
I worked on January's newsletter today. The front page is just about finished. By the end of next week, just after Christmas, it will be ready for distribution.
The recipe page was complete a few weeks ago. I love that page. It is my challenge to find recipes that are easy to make and just right for cooking for one or two. At one time most of us cooked for large families. Getting into the habit of downsizing our portions isn't easy. Yes, one can freeze and bring back the dish at another time, but apartment freezers can only hold so much.
I had recipes for December and January in one file. Some of these made the December newsletter, the rest will be for January:
- Parmesean Chicken
- Broccoli
- Potato Pancakes
- Orange Pecan French Toast
- Pasta Fagioli
- Apple Glaze Pork Chops
- Italian Pork Chops
- Apple Cranberry Hot Cider
- Cheesecake Brownies
- Boneless Chicken Tenders
Tonight, I'll continue to work on the newsletter and get laundry done. It's been a good day.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dan Cherry's Holiday Greeting - Batavia on a very snowy night.
Dan Cherry, from Batavia, made this video of Batavia. I think he did a fantastic job. Thanks for letting me share, Dan.
2/3s of a Day & Skybars.
My day is 2/3s over. I staffed the shop from 9am to noon. Played in a Euchre tournament from 1pm to 3pm, and now a short rest before I perform my last duty as the secretary of the Residents' Council this evening.
I've been the secretary for two years and it is time to hand it over to someone else. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but there are too many other irons in the fire.
Do you remember Skybar candy bars? When I was a kid they were my favorite, other than Clark bars.
The other evening, Shop and Stock made the mistake of leaving the candy vendor's price sheet on the table while we were wii bowling. They have a list of vintage candy bars and I spotted, Skybars.
"We have to get Skybars", I announced.
Shop and Stock's first reaction was, "No, we don't.".
How typical.
"Skybars and Chuckles", I continued. My mind racing back years ago to my childhood. I totally ignored his protests.
The next day I went down to the shop while he was staffing it. I brought him a survey I was going to run in our newsletter. It asked, which of these candy bars would you like to see carried in the shop.
"I'll let our readers decide.", I told him. "The candy bar they vote on will be featured in the shop all through January. Sort of the Candy bar of the Month.". I thought that was a fair way to do it.
Much to my surprise, Skybars were part of the order we received on Friday. Chuckles, too.
Now I'm holding my breath that they sell. So far, things look good. One man came in and bought three of them. He caught me in the hall waving one of them. "What made you decide to get these?", he asked with a grin, "I haven't seen these in years.".
I hope he keeps buying them.
I have that list committed to memory. I'll start bugging Shop and Stock in a few weeks for Raisinettes and Bonomo's Turkish Taffy (chocolate). This could be a fun mission.
I've been the secretary for two years and it is time to hand it over to someone else. Not that I didn't enjoy it, but there are too many other irons in the fire.
Do you remember Skybar candy bars? When I was a kid they were my favorite, other than Clark bars.
The other evening, Shop and Stock made the mistake of leaving the candy vendor's price sheet on the table while we were wii bowling. They have a list of vintage candy bars and I spotted, Skybars.
"We have to get Skybars", I announced.
Shop and Stock's first reaction was, "No, we don't.".
How typical.
"Skybars and Chuckles", I continued. My mind racing back years ago to my childhood. I totally ignored his protests.
The next day I went down to the shop while he was staffing it. I brought him a survey I was going to run in our newsletter. It asked, which of these candy bars would you like to see carried in the shop.
"I'll let our readers decide.", I told him. "The candy bar they vote on will be featured in the shop all through January. Sort of the Candy bar of the Month.". I thought that was a fair way to do it.
Much to my surprise, Skybars were part of the order we received on Friday. Chuckles, too.
Now I'm holding my breath that they sell. So far, things look good. One man came in and bought three of them. He caught me in the hall waving one of them. "What made you decide to get these?", he asked with a grin, "I haven't seen these in years.".
I hope he keeps buying them.
I have that list committed to memory. I'll start bugging Shop and Stock in a few weeks for Raisinettes and Bonomo's Turkish Taffy (chocolate). This could be a fun mission.
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| 12 days to Christmas 11 Shopping days We are in a Snow advisory until Wednesday night - will it hit? |
Sunday, December 12, 2010
The Bills' Win
With a record of 3-10, the Bills are losing their draft picks.
Not that I don't like to see a W in the win column, but at this stage of the game, it would be better to have the draft picks.
At arny rate, congrats to the Bills. I hope they learn to win, at home, when the game isn't blacked out.
Perhaps, they are camera shy? Ya think?
Not that I don't like to see a W in the win column, but at this stage of the game, it would be better to have the draft picks.
At arny rate, congrats to the Bills. I hope they learn to win, at home, when the game isn't blacked out.
Perhaps, they are camera shy? Ya think?
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| The days of simple gifts. |
Another Buffalo Bills' Blackout :(
Even though we can't watch the game, we'll certainly be tailgating in the community room this afternoon.
We can keep track of the Bills' beating the Browns' through the ten minute ticker.
The treats for this afternoon will be the usual pizza and wings. I'm thinking a platter of cheese and crackers will round it out.
I have a friend who is a life long Browns' fan. At one time I called her the Browns' only fan. She has teased me all week long about today. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Barb and I both play Family Feud online. All week long we have passed the torch of top winner back and forth. She said she feels that it is an omen for the game. We'll see.
We can keep track of the Bills' beating the Browns' through the ten minute ticker.
The treats for this afternoon will be the usual pizza and wings. I'm thinking a platter of cheese and crackers will round it out.
I have a friend who is a life long Browns' fan. At one time I called her the Browns' only fan. She has teased me all week long about today. It will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Barb and I both play Family Feud online. All week long we have passed the torch of top winner back and forth. She said she feels that it is an omen for the game. We'll see.
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| It's almost here! 13 days to Christmas 12 Shopping Days |
Saturday, December 11, 2010
The Knee & Me. One Week Respite
The insurance company approved the procedure for the right knee. My appointments are set for Dec. 20, 27, and Jan. 3. As much as I have an urge to complain that I'll be sidelined for two days before Christmas, the thought of getting the same level of relief in the right knee is keeping me silent.
Are you making New Year's resolutions? I find making a resolution on the first of the year a little silly. They are forgotten well before the last of the egg nog has spoiled in the refrigerator. I'd rather set a goal at the beginning of each week and make a true effort to achieve it.
Today is my sister's birthday. I hope she enjoys the day and that the weather in Virginia is warmer than what we have here. Her birthday signaled the start of three weeks worth of teasing between her and my late sister, Marilyn. For three weeks they were the same age. Marilyn was a New Year's baby and Carol arrived in December of that same year. My mom called them her "Irish" twins.
Enjoy the day.
Are you making New Year's resolutions? I find making a resolution on the first of the year a little silly. They are forgotten well before the last of the egg nog has spoiled in the refrigerator. I'd rather set a goal at the beginning of each week and make a true effort to achieve it.
Today is my sister's birthday. I hope she enjoys the day and that the weather in Virginia is warmer than what we have here. Her birthday signaled the start of three weeks worth of teasing between her and my late sister, Marilyn. For three weeks they were the same age. Marilyn was a New Year's baby and Carol arrived in December of that same year. My mom called them her "Irish" twins.
Enjoy the day.
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| 14 days til' Christmas 13 more shopping days eeeks! |
Friday, December 10, 2010
The Shop's Volunteers.
Kutter's Cheese delivered our order late yesterday afternoon.
We carry:
I love when the vendors arrive. They have to come down a long hall to get to our shop. Anyone in the common rooms knows they are there. Scones fly out the door when Scratch Baking delivers. The same goes for the cheese selection. I'm no exception. I put in a special order for a half pound of smoked gouda and a container of port wine cheese spread. I never had to leave home. Just run downstairs (no, I didn't actually run) and pick up my order.
Both Kutter's and Scratch Baking will fill orders by mail. They are part of my mission to bring things to our customers from locally owned and operated businesses.
My volunteers, in the shop, are the best ever. I have less than ten active volunteers who keep the shop open 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. Three more are on medical leave. I can't wait to get them back.
The average age of our staff is 72. This is an age when most people are willing to sit back and enjoy their retirement years. Not my team! They feel their hours in the shop benefit them in many ways.
They tell me that interacting with their friends and neighbors tops their list. They feel that they are making a contribution. They all agree that being active is keeping them sharp and alert. Many had retail experience in their careers. They know how to solve problems. They know how to deal with people who can be downright difficult at times.
I believe that my team is the real reason for our success. This little shop, in a very small space, grossed almost $14,000 in it's first year. Our mission is to provide quality items at affordable prices. The net goes to the Residents' Council Treasury. In our first year we gave the Residents' Council just over $4000.
We have a team dinner meeting four times a year. This is our time to review what we are doing and discuss how we can improve. The highlight of these meetings is my chance to recognize their service to our Residents' Council and our shop. I look at them as true gems. I would be remiss if I didn't mention several who go beyond the call.
We carry:
- mild, sharp, and x-sharp cheddars
- colby longhorn
- hot wasabi cheddar
- horseradish and smoked bacon
- cheese curds
- Sharp provolone
- Swiss
- Jalopena muenster
- Maple Cheddar
I love when the vendors arrive. They have to come down a long hall to get to our shop. Anyone in the common rooms knows they are there. Scones fly out the door when Scratch Baking delivers. The same goes for the cheese selection. I'm no exception. I put in a special order for a half pound of smoked gouda and a container of port wine cheese spread. I never had to leave home. Just run downstairs (no, I didn't actually run) and pick up my order.
Both Kutter's and Scratch Baking will fill orders by mail. They are part of my mission to bring things to our customers from locally owned and operated businesses.
My volunteers, in the shop, are the best ever. I have less than ten active volunteers who keep the shop open 6 days a week, 12 hours a day. Three more are on medical leave. I can't wait to get them back.
The average age of our staff is 72. This is an age when most people are willing to sit back and enjoy their retirement years. Not my team! They feel their hours in the shop benefit them in many ways.
They tell me that interacting with their friends and neighbors tops their list. They feel that they are making a contribution. They all agree that being active is keeping them sharp and alert. Many had retail experience in their careers. They know how to solve problems. They know how to deal with people who can be downright difficult at times.
I believe that my team is the real reason for our success. This little shop, in a very small space, grossed almost $14,000 in it's first year. Our mission is to provide quality items at affordable prices. The net goes to the Residents' Council Treasury. In our first year we gave the Residents' Council just over $4000.
We have a team dinner meeting four times a year. This is our time to review what we are doing and discuss how we can improve. The highlight of these meetings is my chance to recognize their service to our Residents' Council and our shop. I look at them as true gems. I would be remiss if I didn't mention several who go beyond the call.
- Bob, better known as Shop and Stock is constantly looking for new items that would appeal ot our residents and guests. He has the marketing experience to know what will fly off the shelves. Without him, the shop would be in dire straights.
- Dennis, is our off hours clerk. He is the go-to guy if one has the munchies after the shop is closed. Dennis will open the shop anytime from 9pm to 9am so that someone can pick up what they want. Dennis does a booming business from the late night wii games crowd. Bowling and golf make you hungry and thirsty!
- Judy is my Friday morning wizard. She opens on Friday morning and is the person who deals with the candy/chips/etc. vendor. This is always a big order on Friday morming. Judy is relentless when it comes to checking that order against the list Shop and Stock leaves for her. What would I do without her?
- Bill is my Wednesday and Friday night guy. He has the pleasure of making hot chocolate or hot tea for those playing bingo or poker on those nights. Bill loves to talk and he has found a nicheto conduct cracker barrel discussions with his customers..
- Ruth, Maggie, Patty, Karen, and Marlene rarely miss their shifts in the shop. If they do, it is always for a good reason. Each of them bring a new personality to the mix. They have people who will only shop when they are there.
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| 14 days til Christmas Did I mention that the wind is still howling and a storm is brewing for the weekend? |
Thursday, December 9, 2010
GOP blocks legislation to award seniors $250
Happy holidays, senior citizens. The GOP placed coal in your stocking again this year.
There are times when I feel as if I'm standing on a mountain, shouting into the wind. The fight for the rights for our seniors is a never ending battle.
I'll admit that I've been self absorbed the past few days. My friend, Mark Williams, put the link on his Facebook page.
Mark has a way with words that I'll never have. It must be the fact that he is, among other things, an actor. He can tell you a story with a dramatic flair that grabs your attention.
"Really, Republicans? REALLY? You vote to give a tax cut to people making more than $250K a year, but you won't give $250 to people living on Social Security?
If you are a Republican you should simply be ashamed of yourself. Is this REALLY what you stand for? If not--then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT."
Mark's words certainly grabbed my attention.
I read the article on Yahoo and I knew I had to share it here.
One thing that stuck out, in that article, was a comment by Barbara Kennelly, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare,:
Barbara Kennelly, said, "it was a "cruel irony" that while Congress and White House were negotiating a deal extending huge tax cuts to wealthy Americans, "today we're told that providing $250 for America's seniors and their families is considered too generous."
Mark was kind enough to allow me to quote him. He quipped, "Does that mean I'll be famous in Genesee County?". To which I answered, "yep".
Thank you, Mark, for bringing this to my attention.
The $250 payment bill is H.R. 5987.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
There are times when I feel as if I'm standing on a mountain, shouting into the wind. The fight for the rights for our seniors is a never ending battle.
I'll admit that I've been self absorbed the past few days. My friend, Mark Williams, put the link on his Facebook page.
Mark has a way with words that I'll never have. It must be the fact that he is, among other things, an actor. He can tell you a story with a dramatic flair that grabs your attention.
"Really, Republicans? REALLY? You vote to give a tax cut to people making more than $250K a year, but you won't give $250 to people living on Social Security?
If you are a Republican you should simply be ashamed of yourself. Is this REALLY what you stand for? If not--then DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT."
Mark's words certainly grabbed my attention.
I read the article on Yahoo and I knew I had to share it here.
One thing that stuck out, in that article, was a comment by Barbara Kennelly, president of the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare,:
Barbara Kennelly, said, "it was a "cruel irony" that while Congress and White House were negotiating a deal extending huge tax cuts to wealthy Americans, "today we're told that providing $250 for America's seniors and their families is considered too generous."
Mark was kind enough to allow me to quote him. He quipped, "Does that mean I'll be famous in Genesee County?". To which I answered, "yep".
Thank you, Mark, for bringing this to my attention.
The $250 payment bill is H.R. 5987.
http://thomas.loc.gov/
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| 15 days til' Christmas |
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Odds and Ends of This Wednesday
The Knee:
There is no discomfort or pain in the left knee. I will say that this was a success. Now waiting for news on when we can start the right knee.
The Snow Storm:
Last night, I took a picture of the storm from my window. My Florida son, immediately let me know that it looked like the Ghost of Christmas Past with a cheap cell phone. I agree that it looked ghostly, but I also saw four fingers on the right side and six fingers on the left. He instructed me to lay off the egg nog!
When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.
Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum.
When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.
Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'
And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
Not a lot of people know this.
Last but not least, The Shop Gets a Phone
For over a year the Snack Shop has operated using our staff's cell phones. While this worked, it bothered me that people who were volunteering their time were also donating their personal minutes to the shop.
It was obvious that the two cans and a string, just weren't cutting it anymore
So, as of today, we have a cell phone in the shop.
While this may seem like a minor accomplishment, it is a big deal for us.
There is no discomfort or pain in the left knee. I will say that this was a success. Now waiting for news on when we can start the right knee.
Last night, I took a picture of the storm from my window. My Florida son, immediately let me know that it looked like the Ghost of Christmas Past with a cheap cell phone. I agree that it looked ghostly, but I also saw four fingers on the right side and six fingers on the left. He instructed me to lay off the egg nog!
A Christmas Story told by my friend, Cathy DeJaneiro
When four of Santa's elves got sick, the trainee elves did not produce toys as fast as the regular ones, and Santa began to feel the Pre-Christmas pressure.
Then Mrs. Claus told Santa her Mother was coming to visit, which stressed Santa even more.
When he went to harness the reindeer, he found that three of them were about to give birth and two others had jumped the fence and were out, Heaven knows where.
Then when he began to load the sleigh, one of the floorboards cracked, the toy bag fell to the ground and all the toys were scattered.
Frustrated, Santa went in the house for a cup of apple cider and a shot of rum.
When he went to the cupboard, he discovered the elves had drunk all the cider and hidden the liquor.. In his frustration, he accidentally dropped the cider jug, and it broke into hundreds of little glass pieces all over the kitchen floor. He went to get the broom and found the mice had eaten all the straw off the end of the broom.
Just then the doorbell rang, and an irritated Santa marched to the door, yanked it open, and there stood a little angel with a great big Christmas tree.
The angel said very cheerfully, 'Merry Christmas, Santa. Isn't this a lovely day? I have a beautiful tree for you. Where would you like me to stick it?'
And so began the tradition of the little angel on top of the Christmas tree.
Not a lot of people know this.
Last but not least, The Shop Gets a Phone
For over a year the Snack Shop has operated using our staff's cell phones. While this worked, it bothered me that people who were volunteering their time were also donating their personal minutes to the shop.
It was obvious that the two cans and a string, just weren't cutting it anymore
While this may seem like a minor accomplishment, it is a big deal for us.
 |
| Still 16 days til' Christmas |
Chris Charvella Talks About the Genesee County Nursing Home
I have mentioned Chris several times on my blog. He is a talented writer and a born leader. He is also a patient man who, on occasion, puts up with the ramblings of this old lady. We have worked together on several projects. one of which was the goal to save the Genesee Co. Nursing Home.
Please take a moment to read Chris' blog . http://charvella.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
Please take a moment to read Chris' blog . http://charvella.blogspot.com/
Thanks.
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| 16 days til' Christmas |
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Clearly Vintage
I hope you have enjoyed the vintage Christmas artwork at the end of each blog.
The credit for them goes to Clearly Vintage, http://clearlyvintage.blogspot.com/ .
I love that blogspot.
I wanted one for each day, but there are enough to fill two advent calendars. I'll try to post as many as I can. They are truly wonderful to see.
Thanks, Clearly Vintage for sharing.
The credit for them goes to Clearly Vintage, http://clearlyvintage.blogspot.com/ .
I love that blogspot.
I wanted one for each day, but there are enough to fill two advent calendars. I'll try to post as many as I can. They are truly wonderful to see.
Thanks, Clearly Vintage for sharing.
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| Still 17 days til' Christmas |
Genesee Co. Nursing Home & Genesee Justice Will Continue to Operate.
My very first blog dealt with the issue of the Genesee County Nursing Home and the county's attempt to sell it to a private entity.
More recent was a blog about the county's attempt to dismember Genesee Justice.
Today, both concerns were put to rest (at least for now).
Please take the time to click on the links to thebatavian.com to read the stories.
Report: Don't sell the nursing home
Keep it for now.
That's the recommendation of a consultant hired by Genesee County to study the Legislature's options for dealing with the increasingly expense-draining county nursing home.
Rochester-based Center for Governmental Research turned over a report this week to the county that said it's not a good time to sell public facilities and the county may not achieve sufficient returns from such a sale.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/report-dont-sell-nursing-home/22779
Support, history of Genesee Justice motivated director to ensure division saved
Ed Minardo will be out of a job come Jan. 1, but Genesee Justice will carry on.
"It was certainly in my mind, 'Not on my watch," Minardo said after learning that County Manager Jay Gsell would recommend to the Legislature that Minardo's plan to cut staff hours and eliminate his own job be approved.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/support-history-genesee-justice-motivated-director-ensure-division-saved/22777
More recent was a blog about the county's attempt to dismember Genesee Justice.
Today, both concerns were put to rest (at least for now).
Please take the time to click on the links to thebatavian.com to read the stories.
Report: Don't sell the nursing home
Keep it for now.
That's the recommendation of a consultant hired by Genesee County to study the Legislature's options for dealing with the increasingly expense-draining county nursing home.
Rochester-based Center for Governmental Research turned over a report this week to the county that said it's not a good time to sell public facilities and the county may not achieve sufficient returns from such a sale.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/report-dont-sell-nursing-home/22779
Support, history of Genesee Justice motivated director to ensure division saved
Ed Minardo will be out of a job come Jan. 1, but Genesee Justice will carry on.
"It was certainly in my mind, 'Not on my watch," Minardo said after learning that County Manager Jay Gsell would recommend to the Legislature that Minardo's plan to cut staff hours and eliminate his own job be approved.
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/support-history-genesee-justice-motivated-director-ensure-division-saved/22777
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| 18 days til' Christmas |
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Knee and Me, Week 3
Before I tell about the knee and me, week 3, I have to mention that it is snowing and blowing outside my tower window. Not a gentle snowfall, but another real snow storm. This is what we expect in Western New York.
It was snowing when I went for the shot. But it was just lazy flakes. Nothing serious. When I walked into the office, I was surprised to see only four people in the waiting room. That meant not much of a wait. It also meant steeling myself for what was to come.
I'll admit that last week's injection was a tad traumatic. I didn't expect it to be as painful as it was.
I had the entire week to think about experiencing that again.
Finally, yesterday, I came to grips with the anticipation and decided that it wasn't doing me any good to stress over an event in the future.
After all, the entire process would take less than a minute. I certainly could withstand whatever was thrown at me for that short amount of time.
I went into the treatment room full of resolve. "Just keep the leg relaxed", I told myself.
We talked about the weather as the doctor prodded my knee for just the right spot.
"Relax. Relax. Relax.", was my silent mantra.
The needle went in with just a little bit of a shot of discomfort. Then it was over. I think we hit a record time of less than 30 seconds.
The first three weeks are not in the history books. Unfortunately, the insurance company hasn't given the go ahead for the right knee yet. I really hoped we would just continue on with the right knee and have it done with. Maybe we'll hear from them this week.
While I'm warned that the other knee may not behave quite as well as the left did, I'm hoping it is so. I am pain free in the left knee. I have been since the first injection. The difference is amazing. The doctor said that our goal is to have the gel last at least six months or more.
I understand that not everyone has the immediate relief that I had. I also understand that the right knee may react differently. We'll have to wait and see.
I'm not quite up to jumping up and down for joy yet. After the other knee is done, I'll be ready for that.
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| View from the Tower window. |
I'll admit that last week's injection was a tad traumatic. I didn't expect it to be as painful as it was.
I had the entire week to think about experiencing that again.
Finally, yesterday, I came to grips with the anticipation and decided that it wasn't doing me any good to stress over an event in the future.
After all, the entire process would take less than a minute. I certainly could withstand whatever was thrown at me for that short amount of time.
I went into the treatment room full of resolve. "Just keep the leg relaxed", I told myself.
We talked about the weather as the doctor prodded my knee for just the right spot.
"Relax. Relax. Relax.", was my silent mantra.
The needle went in with just a little bit of a shot of discomfort. Then it was over. I think we hit a record time of less than 30 seconds.
The first three weeks are not in the history books. Unfortunately, the insurance company hasn't given the go ahead for the right knee yet. I really hoped we would just continue on with the right knee and have it done with. Maybe we'll hear from them this week.
While I'm warned that the other knee may not behave quite as well as the left did, I'm hoping it is so. I am pain free in the left knee. I have been since the first injection. The difference is amazing. The doctor said that our goal is to have the gel last at least six months or more.
I understand that not everyone has the immediate relief that I had. I also understand that the right knee may react differently. We'll have to wait and see.
I'm not quite up to jumping up and down for joy yet. After the other knee is done, I'll be ready for that.
 |
| still 19 days til' Christmas |
Sunday 12/5 - Bills Lose Another One; The Cousins' Party & Other Things.
I looked out the window Sunday morning and made a mental note. It's snowing. If it is snowing then it must the day for my cousin Annie's Christmas Party. It snows every year for her party. Next year will be different. She is planning to have Christmas in July or August.
That will be fun, but elements will be missing (besides the snow). No Buffalo Bills game on TV; no roaring fire in the fireplace; no pile of coats on the bed and no pile of boots and shoes by the front door.
That said, it will mean that more of the cousins can attend because the weather won't be an issue.
We are a family loyal to the Bills. As the Vikings continued to score points in the first half of the game, the hopeful comments came from everyone - they'll come back after half time and win. They didn't. We all agree they are just shy of being a champion team. It will just take another year to make it so.
Annie's house is decorated inside and out for this party. It is festive and welcoming. Everywhere you look you will find Christmas. My Aunt Pauline and her first cousins, Larry, Carmela and Marian represented that generation of first born Americans.
The food at the party was incredible. From appetizers to desserts, it was truly a feast.
At the other end of that table one would find chicken wings, pizza, stuffed shells, meatballs, three bean salad, homemade bread, and a wonderful tomato and mozzerella cheese salad.
A walk into the front room led you to the dessert table. There are dozens of homemade Italian cookies, fudge, a delicious pineapple dessert and more. The tree, in the front room, is loaded down with large chocolate candy canes that everyone gets to bring home.
So, we had football and a roaring fire. We had perfect food. Most of all we had a chance to gather, as an extended family, for an afternoon of good times.
Thank you, Annie. It was fun.
We are under another snow warning. "Expect 8 to 10 inches of snow beginning around midnight, Dec. 6 and midnight Dec. 7", said the weatherman. Actually, it snowed most of Sunday. Not much accumulated, but it did snow. It intensived as the evening wore on. Looking out the window, I can see the snow blowing in from the west. Another lake effect event is on the way.
That will be fun, but elements will be missing (besides the snow). No Buffalo Bills game on TV; no roaring fire in the fireplace; no pile of coats on the bed and no pile of boots and shoes by the front door.
That said, it will mean that more of the cousins can attend because the weather won't be an issue.
We are a family loyal to the Bills. As the Vikings continued to score points in the first half of the game, the hopeful comments came from everyone - they'll come back after half time and win. They didn't. We all agree they are just shy of being a champion team. It will just take another year to make it so.
Annie's house is decorated inside and out for this party. It is festive and welcoming. Everywhere you look you will find Christmas. My Aunt Pauline and her first cousins, Larry, Carmela and Marian represented that generation of first born Americans.
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| Aunt Pauline and cousin, Annie |
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| Shrimp; cheese, spinach and artichoke dip; dill dip; a variety of fruit topped the list of appetizers. |
A walk into the front room led you to the dessert table. There are dozens of homemade Italian cookies, fudge, a delicious pineapple dessert and more. The tree, in the front room, is loaded down with large chocolate candy canes that everyone gets to bring home.
So, we had football and a roaring fire. We had perfect food. Most of all we had a chance to gather, as an extended family, for an afternoon of good times.
Thank you, Annie. It was fun.
We are under another snow warning. "Expect 8 to 10 inches of snow beginning around midnight, Dec. 6 and midnight Dec. 7", said the weatherman. Actually, it snowed most of Sunday. Not much accumulated, but it did snow. It intensived as the evening wore on. Looking out the window, I can see the snow blowing in from the west. Another lake effect event is on the way.
 |
| 19 days til' Christmas |
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Holiday Parties
One of the best things about the holidays is spending time with family.
My cousin, Annie, hosts a party every year. It is a mini family reunion where cousins, who rarely get a chance to see each other throughout the year, gather to remember the times when we were not as far flung.
No doubt most of you remember a time when families all lived within blocks of each other. You would see each other at school, church, or in each other's back yards. Our mobile society has changed all that.
We had a large family. Annie is more my comtemporary than she is my aunt, yet she and my aunt are first cousins. The number of first cousins from that family is sadly dwindling. That generation were the first born Americans in our Sicilian family. They were the keepers of the torch that kept alive the traditions our grandparents and our great grandparents brought to this country.
Today the second and even the third generation are now grandparents. So we will gather, the first, second, third and fourth generation Americans and celebrate the holiday and remember those who have gone before us.
So, today, we'll feast on the comfort foods we all remembered as kids. We'll be awed by the desserts.
We'll take note on how the kids have grown. We'll raise a glass to celebrate the births of the new twigs on the tree, including baby Levi born on Friday.
Hoping you have a wonderful Sunday. I'll try to post pictures later today.
My cousin, Annie, hosts a party every year. It is a mini family reunion where cousins, who rarely get a chance to see each other throughout the year, gather to remember the times when we were not as far flung.
No doubt most of you remember a time when families all lived within blocks of each other. You would see each other at school, church, or in each other's back yards. Our mobile society has changed all that.
We had a large family. Annie is more my comtemporary than she is my aunt, yet she and my aunt are first cousins. The number of first cousins from that family is sadly dwindling. That generation were the first born Americans in our Sicilian family. They were the keepers of the torch that kept alive the traditions our grandparents and our great grandparents brought to this country.
Today the second and even the third generation are now grandparents. So we will gather, the first, second, third and fourth generation Americans and celebrate the holiday and remember those who have gone before us.
So, today, we'll feast on the comfort foods we all remembered as kids. We'll be awed by the desserts.
We'll take note on how the kids have grown. We'll raise a glass to celebrate the births of the new twigs on the tree, including baby Levi born on Friday.
Hoping you have a wonderful Sunday. I'll try to post pictures later today.
 |
| 20 days til' Christmas |
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Chris Charvella on Genesee Justice
Genesee Justice Matters
I was deeply affected this morning when a woman I've never met came to see me at work. She wanted to talk about Genesee Justice, why it's so important and what we can do to convince our legislature that they are being wholly obtuse.
The problem is that my hands are currently tied when it comes to these matters for reasons that most of you who read this blog know, but that I am unable to discuss publicly.
I have ideas though and even though I have been barred from taking meaningful action, you have not.
Certain members of the legislature are lying about the small volume of constituent calls they've received about Genesee Justice. Don't let them do it anymore. Make a call and tell them to do the right thing, then have your brother/sister/spouse/mom/dad/friend do the same.
Show up to the budget meeting next Monday where they'll be discussing this. They may not allow public comment, but it's an open meeting and just being there with a scowl on your face can make a difference...trust me.
If the legislature accepts Ed Minardo's offer to give up his own job to save the program (which, by the way, makes him a better man than most) I want you to do something that maybe you've never done. I want you to write two checks and I promise I'll be doing the same. The first one should be made out to the foundation he'll be starting to keep Genesee Justice afloat and doing the good work they're known for. The second should be made out to him personally because when a man sacrifices his livelihood for our benefit, we owe him our support. The size of the checks don't matter, the principle you uphold by writing them does.
Everything we do, every day, has an effect on the world around us. The actions we take and the ones we choose not to impact even our small sphere of influence in large ways. If the people we have entrusted with the power to govern, the power to create and destroy, only choose destruction, apathy and decay by attrition then it is our responsibility to set the better example.
Members of the Genesee County Legislature:
Raymond F. Cianfrini
District No. 1
Towns of Alabama and Oakfield
79 N. Main, Oakfield, New York 14125
Office Phone: (585) 948-5201 - Home Phone: (585) 948-5347
Robert J. Bausch
District No. 2
Towns of Elba, Byron and Bergen
PO Box 81 Bergen, New York 14416
Phone (585) 494-2114
Annie M. Lawrence
District No. 3
Towns of Pembroke and Darien
2495 Brown Road, Corfu, New York 14036
Phone (585) 762-8506
Mary Pat Hancock, Chair
District No. 4
Towns of Batavia and Stafford
8234 Lewiston Road, Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 343-1011
Jerome J. Grasso
District No. 5
Town of LeRoy
8706 Haven Lane, LeRoy, New York 14482
Phone: (585) 768-8007
Esther Leadley
District No. 6
Towns of Alexander, Bethany and Pavilion
11047 River Road, Pavilion, New York 14525
Phone: (585) 584-3548
Robert J. Radley
District No. 7 Wards 1 & 6
City of Batavia
23 Allanview Batavia, NY
Phone: (585) 343-4509
Hollis D. Upson, Vice Chair
District No. 8 Wards 2 & 3
City of Batavia
69 Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 344-1014 (H) (585) 343-6211 (W)
Edward DeJaneiro, Jr. 2nd Vice Chair
District No. 9, Wards 4 & 5
City of Batavia
104 River Street, Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 343-9240
I was deeply affected this morning when a woman I've never met came to see me at work. She wanted to talk about Genesee Justice, why it's so important and what we can do to convince our legislature that they are being wholly obtuse.
The problem is that my hands are currently tied when it comes to these matters for reasons that most of you who read this blog know, but that I am unable to discuss publicly.
I have ideas though and even though I have been barred from taking meaningful action, you have not.
Certain members of the legislature are lying about the small volume of constituent calls they've received about Genesee Justice. Don't let them do it anymore. Make a call and tell them to do the right thing, then have your brother/sister/spouse/mom/dad/friend do the same.
Show up to the budget meeting next Monday where they'll be discussing this. They may not allow public comment, but it's an open meeting and just being there with a scowl on your face can make a difference...trust me.
If the legislature accepts Ed Minardo's offer to give up his own job to save the program (which, by the way, makes him a better man than most) I want you to do something that maybe you've never done. I want you to write two checks and I promise I'll be doing the same. The first one should be made out to the foundation he'll be starting to keep Genesee Justice afloat and doing the good work they're known for. The second should be made out to him personally because when a man sacrifices his livelihood for our benefit, we owe him our support. The size of the checks don't matter, the principle you uphold by writing them does.
Everything we do, every day, has an effect on the world around us. The actions we take and the ones we choose not to impact even our small sphere of influence in large ways. If the people we have entrusted with the power to govern, the power to create and destroy, only choose destruction, apathy and decay by attrition then it is our responsibility to set the better example.
Members of the Genesee County Legislature:
Raymond F. Cianfrini
District No. 1
Towns of Alabama and Oakfield
79 N. Main, Oakfield, New York 14125
Office Phone: (585) 948-5201 - Home Phone: (585) 948-5347
Robert J. Bausch
District No. 2
Towns of Elba, Byron and Bergen
PO Box 81 Bergen, New York 14416
Phone (585) 494-2114
Annie M. Lawrence
District No. 3
Towns of Pembroke and Darien
2495 Brown Road, Corfu, New York 14036
Phone (585) 762-8506
Mary Pat Hancock, Chair
District No. 4
Towns of Batavia and Stafford
8234 Lewiston Road, Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 343-1011
Jerome J. Grasso
District No. 5
Town of LeRoy
8706 Haven Lane, LeRoy, New York 14482
Phone: (585) 768-8007
Esther Leadley
District No. 6
Towns of Alexander, Bethany and Pavilion
11047 River Road, Pavilion, New York 14525
Phone: (585) 584-3548
Robert J. Radley
District No. 7 Wards 1 & 6
City of Batavia
23 Allanview Batavia, NY
Phone: (585) 343-4509
Hollis D. Upson, Vice Chair
District No. 8 Wards 2 & 3
City of Batavia
69 Ellicott Avenue, Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 344-1014 (H) (585) 343-6211 (W)
Edward DeJaneiro, Jr. 2nd Vice Chair
District No. 9, Wards 4 & 5
City of Batavia
104 River Street, Batavia, New York 14020
Phone: (585) 343-9240
Friday, December 3, 2010
Senior Citizens Enjoy Late Night Games
Before you get the wrong impression this doesn't mean that the senior citizens are running to and from apartments during the late night hours.
Nor does it mean that they congregate every time an ambulance pulls up to the door in order to speculate who is in crisis.
The senior citizens, in our complex, are enjoying wii bowling and wii golf.
Bowling starts about 9pm every night. They play for a few hours then switch to golf. The diehards will play until the wee hours of the morning.
It is an amazing thing. We have people who rarely came out of their apartments and now they are playing during these late night forays.
It is low impact exercise. It keeps the mind sharp. It is just plain fun.
So much fun that the residents' council is looking into a second system and a second tv so that more people can play at one time.
Nor does it mean that they congregate every time an ambulance pulls up to the door in order to speculate who is in crisis.
The senior citizens, in our complex, are enjoying wii bowling and wii golf.
Bowling starts about 9pm every night. They play for a few hours then switch to golf. The diehards will play until the wee hours of the morning.
It is an amazing thing. We have people who rarely came out of their apartments and now they are playing during these late night forays.
It is low impact exercise. It keeps the mind sharp. It is just plain fun.
So much fun that the residents' council is looking into a second system and a second tv so that more people can play at one time.
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| Lu showing off her 300 game. |
We have over 60 people who play the wii games. Several have become masters in both bowling an golf.
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| Have you finished your shopping? 21 more shopping days til' Christmas. |
Thursday, December 2, 2010
Would You Give Up Your Job For a Program You Believed In?
Genesee Justice is an internationally acclaimed program started in Genesee Co. NY in the late 70s.
This year our county legislator asked our county manager to pare the budget to the bone in order to avoid raising county taxes. The county manager's budget included the dissolution of Genesee Justice. He would take portions of the program and give it to law enforcement and some to the DA's office.
When this became public, those most involved in this program, from judges, to police, to the DA's, and lawers, came together as one to protest. They told the county legislators that this program saves our county millions of dollars a year. It is funded, in part, by grants. It is also saving the county from having to either expand the existing jail or, worst case, build a new one.
The director of Genesee Justice offered to resign his position (and the money from his salary and benefits) and to cut the hours of the staff to save the program.
One legislator scoffed at the idea. He twisted this offer as an indication that the position of director wasn't essential. The president of the legislator commented that she respected the people who came forward and that they were probably right, but she was right in wanted to keep the tax base as is for the constituents. Another legislator suggested that the county consider raising taxes by $1 a thousand in the hopes of saving Genesee Justice. Obviously, this suggestion was not what his colleagues wanted to entertain.
Please look at what Genesee Justice does for our county. If you live in Genesee County please call your legislator and ask that the decision be reconsidered.
My friend, Chris Charvella, writes on his blog that this isn't a matter of the county spending money, but a matter of tossing out a program that SAVES money. Does that make sense?
If you don't live in Genesee County please support our efforts to save Genesee Justice by leaving a comment in this blog.
Read more about Genesee Justice at:
http://charvella.blogspot.com/
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-story/22423
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/proposal-being-floated-consolidate-genesee-justice-county-probation/21811
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/legal-community-makes-unified-pitch-budget-hearing-save-genesee-justice/22280
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/legislature-meets-conference-wednesday-finalize-budget-plan/22561
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-staff-offers-take-pay-cut-advisory-council-narrows-cost-savings-c
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-gets-five-day-reprieve/22604
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-numbers/22455
This year our county legislator asked our county manager to pare the budget to the bone in order to avoid raising county taxes. The county manager's budget included the dissolution of Genesee Justice. He would take portions of the program and give it to law enforcement and some to the DA's office.
When this became public, those most involved in this program, from judges, to police, to the DA's, and lawers, came together as one to protest. They told the county legislators that this program saves our county millions of dollars a year. It is funded, in part, by grants. It is also saving the county from having to either expand the existing jail or, worst case, build a new one.
The director of Genesee Justice offered to resign his position (and the money from his salary and benefits) and to cut the hours of the staff to save the program.
One legislator scoffed at the idea. He twisted this offer as an indication that the position of director wasn't essential. The president of the legislator commented that she respected the people who came forward and that they were probably right, but she was right in wanted to keep the tax base as is for the constituents. Another legislator suggested that the county consider raising taxes by $1 a thousand in the hopes of saving Genesee Justice. Obviously, this suggestion was not what his colleagues wanted to entertain.
Please look at what Genesee Justice does for our county. If you live in Genesee County please call your legislator and ask that the decision be reconsidered.
My friend, Chris Charvella, writes on his blog that this isn't a matter of the county spending money, but a matter of tossing out a program that SAVES money. Does that make sense?
If you don't live in Genesee County please support our efforts to save Genesee Justice by leaving a comment in this blog.
Read more about Genesee Justice at:
http://charvella.blogspot.com/
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-story/22423
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/proposal-being-floated-consolidate-genesee-justice-county-probation/21811
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/legal-community-makes-unified-pitch-budget-hearing-save-genesee-justice/22280
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/legislature-meets-conference-wednesday-finalize-budget-plan/22561
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-staff-offers-take-pay-cut-advisory-council-narrows-cost-savings-c
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-gets-five-day-reprieve/22604
http://thebatavian.com/blogs/howard-owens/genesee-justice-numbers/22455
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