Sunday, Sunday, Sept. 23, 2007

Greetings -
Fall has arrived but the weather remains lovely. Tomorrow is the closing on my little cottage here in Hartford, NY. I am going out today to buy a small sofa. There is a great sale in Glens Falls. Closing this late doesn't give me a lot of time to paint the interior but I am going to try to do so. A friend and I will drive to Virginia on Saturday to load up a rental truck. I hope to be back and unpacked by next Wed. Lots of work ahead. I've done this many times and I know what to expect. It is exciting to think about seeing my books and things again.

I went for a 12 mile bike trip yesterday to Argyle. It was more difficult for me since I haven't been on the bike in a couple of weeks. As I went by an old farm house and barn, a large dog came out of the grass and bit my foot. Luckily he got me in the canvas part of my shoe. I yelled at him and chased him up the drive. The owner came out and said he had been trying to break him of that. Just fine! I think his training is a bit too passive. I told him I would pepper spray the dog next time I went by.

I didn't get over to the Balloon Fest at the airport. Next year I guess. I did see 8 of them in the sky floating around in a red sunset. Very lovely.

I washed and waxed the coach and the car Friday in preparation for my trip to Virginia in a couple of weeks. It troubles me to think of leaving my little house so soon but I have an appointment in Tampa at Lazy Days RV sales to have some warranty work done on the coach that was not completed last spring. I also have a dear friend there who has been recently diagnosed with cancer so I want to visit with them. I may fly up north this winter if my finances permit. Have to wait and see.

We went apple picking a week ago. The crowd was huge. We couldn't even get donuts or cider. But we managed to get a few apples plus have a lot of fun. My daughter from Albany came up, my granddaughter, my sister and me. We then completed the day with a gourment pizza at Quack Ups, an experience in dining in Lake Casyuna. Great Pizza! The trees this year a laden with apples. Happy harvest ---

Friday, Sept. 14, 2007

Wednesday was an exciting day as I was able to travel to the site of the filming of Extreme Home Makeover in Athens, VT. My son and his wife volunteered their excavation business for the week to help build a lovely new home for a needy family. The program will air in November or December. It is on Sunday nights. Here are some pics. We were not able to get close since there had to be at least 5000 people crammed into a small space a mile or so up a one lane dirt lane high in the mountains near Grafton. We had to park down below and catch a bus. I saw Clay from a long way away. We did get to see the "fake family" as they are called. These were people of similar age and build who were used to prepare and perfect the camera shots. We got to yell, "Move That Bus" several times. It was interesting to note that the filming is done just like a movie. The pieces are all filmed separately and then put together in a studio somewhere. I did learn that 4 families are nominated from the same area then questioned and visited to see if they can conform to the requirements of the program. They also have to be able to handle the financial burden afterwards. I wonder about that aspect. The neighbors on the road are all of poverty level. The new house is very large and stands out "like a sore thumb" in the area. Athens consists of 200 souls who probably cannot subsidize the taxes etc. for the "lucky" family. Blessing or curse? Time will tell.

I have been picking out paint chips and planning colours in my new house. We haven't closed yet so I am unable to get in to work. I did buy some $2 chairs by the side of the road. Now I am painting them in a lovely soft off white. My table is an antique cherry pedestal. I think they will look quite good with some comfortable cushions. A friend and I are going to VA to pick up my stuff from the storage unit the end of October.

It is getting cooler and beginning to look like autumn up here in the mountains. We may have a frost tomorrow night. I want to go apple picking Sunday at the Hick's orchard nearby. I enjoy this time of year in this part of the world.

I am going to Rutland tomorrow for a soccer game. I get to see my granddaughter play and then bring her home with me for a couple of days. We always have fun together.

Friday, September 7, 2007

I have been slow about posting of late because I am preoccupied with organizing the closing and subsequent move into my house here. I had decided to use Cit Bank since they are the parent company of my investment firm. I mistakenly thought it would be easier since they have access to my savings. Well, it seems that the giant machine that is Citi Bank turns too slowly and is cumbersome. After a 10 day period of waiting, I went with the Coldwall Banker mortgage people. I can go sit down with a human being and get things done quickly. Hopefully we will make the closing date of Sept. 17 although I don't see how. I had rented a truck to bring my things up north but it is ok if I change the dates. I really think it will be the first week in Oct. I wanted to paint the inside rooms before moving in. It is much easier without any stuff in there. The house is so small, I could have it all painted in two days.

The weather here has been wonderful. Cool nights and warm cloudless days. We need rain badly. The trees have begun their annual transformation. Last year I saw autumn color in upstate NY and western PA, Ohio, Ky and TN for the first time in several years. I have never really missed it because we always had beautiful color in eastern NC and VA. I do enjoy the activities of fall such as apple picking and the desise to snuggle in and cook soul foods.

I am concerned about my photos that I had saved on the computer. It seems many are damaged now. I believe it occurred when I installed the new cameral software. I need help to recover them if possible. I have not printed them out because of storage shortage but have saved them on a flash drive. These are the ones that hadn't been saved yet. I hope they can be recovered.

I hope some of you happened to catch the Oprah show yesterday when she had Paula Dean on. Paula, in her wonderful southern drawl, was making a pound cake when she inadvertently dropped the spoon into the mixer blades. The batter went everywhere- on Oprah's face and hair as well as all over Paula's sleeve and on her cheek. It was a very funny segment. They went on after the laughter died down and Paula said she really didn't want to make that cake.

May you walk in the Light of Love and Laughter. Expect Miracles.
Donna

September 2, 2007, Sunday

It was chilly when Sebastian and I awoke this morning. Fall is definitely approaching here in the North Country of New York. I've switched my breakfast food back to the old fashioned oatmeal with maple syrup. I am looking forward to apple picking though. I hope I am still here for that event. The trees are heavily laden and should be an abundant crop. We are very close to Hick's Orchard where they have not only apples of many varieties but cider, cider donuts and their new "Ice Wine".

We went to the Washington County Farmers Fair over in Greenwich, NY. I always enjoy going to this fair where you have to dodge the cow flops as you walk around the booths. All the farm families are there showing their crops, cattle and crafts. The food is always great fun. I usually over indulge but I didn't this time. Watched the turbo tractor pull and the draft horse pull. That evening we attended a picnic in the village and I became sick. I was sick all the next day and most of the time I was in Maine. It was like Montazuma's Revenge which I had years ago in Mexico. I think it was some peppers I ate at the picnic that did it.

I went to Maine with a friend for 4 days. We stayed with several other couples from Hartford. We were one house from the beach in Saco Bay. The weather was fantastic. Lots of beach walking, searching for treasures of the sea and sitting in the sunshine. We did some antiguing one day. I found a beautiful pair of brass shell shaped scounces and a long wooden box that has been wood burned with a grape design. I will put them in my new house on each side of the china cabinet. Some site seeing brought us to Pemaquid Light in Boothbay Harbor. I have some pics to share with you. We had a delightful typical Maine lunch on a pier near Fort William Henry. That king certainly had many forts named for him. The climb to the top of the lookout tower was worth it for the impressive view of the bay stretched out in front of us with many anchored boats. We stopped at the Long Trail brewery in Bridgewater, VT for lunch on the return trip. A fun time. I missed Sebastian who stayed home with my family. He seems to thrive when I am away but is very happy to see me return.

I'm sorry I had to change addresses but there was a person reading and commenting that I didn't wish to hear from.

Last night we sat around a bon fire under the incredible stars. My friend and I went up to the fire alone on the ATV but then decided to go get Sebastian. I took the ATV alone down to my friend's house, put Bashey on the seat in front of me and gave him his first ATV ride across the recently chopped corn field. He was ok just a little shaky. It got very cold as the darkness dropped in on us, at least for me it was cold but I am a bit thin blooded after almost 20 yrs. in the south during the cold weather.

Happy Labor Day weekend to all.