Pratsburg N.Y.

Yesterday I had a sentimental day. I had a outing with my husband Kodak Koffee Klatch in Pratsburg N.Y.They all where so happy to see me. There is a bond that came through the years of keeping in touch.When my husband was alive they met once a month after they retired. A couple of times a year their wife's where invited. So when my husband passed away I was made a honorary member. And they all are so nice. We had a nice picnic and day. Then when every one left Tim and I went to our old cabin. We where standing there for a while and he know what went on with me . Lots of great memories and special feelings. I saw our family there camping. The grandchildren helping planting the trees. Feeding the fish . I missed him there so much.I could see the cabin, we drove up to it. But there was only one road on the top of the land. No road going below the cabin and no road to the pond. There was a car, but we did not see anyone.It was a long drive home alone, my mind was full of thoughts. It was a great day, we have to go back sometimes, even if it is hard. This is life, and we get stronger trough what we experience.Walden was still there.

Fiddlers Picnic.

Yesterday I went the whole day to Long Point Park to see the Fiddlers. It was great.It started at 11 a.m. with the Flint Hill Folk.It is a group that includes Geneseo professor Jim Kimball on the fiddle, banjo and Ray Baumer of Chili on guitar and Pat Carey of Irondequoit on guitar and flute. They did a great job. It reminded me of my husbands group in the Netherlands.They played Canaal songs, patriotic songs, Stephen Foster songs Irish-American and Civil War songs. To me this was the best group. Other groups where Phil Banaszak with City Fiddle, The Chercroppers, Sunset Blue grass,The Fraterrigo Family,Fiddlesticks,Dick Jopson en the Northernaires, The WCJW, The Red Hot Trio, The Spair Tyme and the Kelly's Old Timers. It started at 11 a.m. and ended at 8.30 p.m. On the end they had some square Dances. A great day on a great summer day.

Helping Friends.

Today I made my daiyly call to my friend Mary. She has been having a hard time the last three years with battling ovarian cancer. But she looks forward to my visits and calls. Today we talked about our earlyer days. We both grew up with four brothers. We both where the second in the lineup. And if you live then here our in Europe the way off doing things where much the same. We both complained about helping your Mother and doing all the stuff for your brothers. Sis polish my shoes, our sis iron my shirt. They never helped me with the dishes. I was a girl and that was your job. Then I married my husband and he was different. He did not mind helping me, and also I did not mind helping him.Washing the car and mowing was most my job, because I did not have a job. I was a staying home Mom. And I have loved it. How we started to talk about this subject was, today Mary's husband and son did the mowing and it bothered her that she can not do it anymore. So I told her Mary you deserve it. Let them spoil you. And we have a big laugh about it. I do know a little how she feels, but not really.But we are here to help and care for one and other. Mary has like I two brothers still alive.But they are the younger once and do not remember what we do.One good thing do we have learned a lot.

A Hot Summer Day.

Today is not a good day.Temp. is in the 90's. And I do not like it.All you can do is to sit still. I did my wash and dryed it on my deck. My Groundhog came back. Two weeks ago David tryed to kill it. I kept looking for a sign but the whole stayed close. So yesterday I was mowing and saw all the dirt again. I did not like to use my basement door. The groundhog is right there. I do not want him in the house, that is why I am drying on my deck.Because it is so hot, it dryes fast. I was hoping no one showed up, because my panties where there to dry.This is not so strange for me. there. when we where in Alaska a few years back I hang them on the window of our room.We had a laugh about it. But now one was living where we where and I did it for the fun.It is nice to live in the country, 500 feet from the road .So come back on my groundhog does any one have a idea how to get rid of it? I would love to try to put some wood in there, but the pieces are to big for me to carry. This is what I hate from being old, you want to do something and your body says no. I do love my home, special when the little one"s come over and investigate your home.You gave a new generation some of yourself. I hope they will remember me some day. They are my Love.

Bonnie

Happy Belated 10th Birthday Bonnie!!
(Bonnie is my daughter Louise's dog)

Dinner

Today Lucy, Anna, Freddy and Kim came over for dinner.

Games.

When I was young we did not have a lot af toy's. In Holland in the thirty's there was also a depression. We did a lot of pretending.We had some marbles and made up games. We made in the hard dirt a hole the size of a cup and rounded it and made it smooth.Then we stood about 3 or 4 feet away from the hole and then trying to get the marbles in the hole. If you got 10 marbles in the hole you won.We also played jump rope. Alone our with more friends. A nice game was "Hinken". You draw a square of a foot size,then 2 more above it. Then two squares next to one a other above it. Above that a one square in the middle and then two above that.Then with a block of wood you hink, "what means hopping on one leg"the wood from one square to the other. If you touch the ground with the other leg you are out. How simple, but a lot of fun.You can play alone our with friends and take turns. We where also not as smart as the children now. Our parents kept a lot from us. If you ask a question and they did not know how to tell you, they said you will find out later. When you found out later you where to embarrasd to talk to them about it. I think it is so great to see parents open with their children.

August 6 1922,

This is my husband Birthday and has a lot of good memories. When my daughters all where living home, this was our vacation weeks. We did then a lot of camping.What a good time we had. And special today I will think of you hon more then normal.On August 30 will be my memory day for my Dad. He also was verry special to me. He was born in 1901. Boy that sounds a long time ago, but believe me life passes fast, so hold on to it as much as you can.Hope that August 6 means a lot to more people. A great man and a great Dad.