Finally I write again

I've been gone a long time. It takes a lot of time and effort to get everything ready for the transition from NY to Fl.I thought I had started preparation well in advance but a lot of it can't be done until the last minute.Don and Janice flew in at 11:48 on Sept. 30th. My friend Judy also flew in that night at 11 pm.Chris drove my van and we went to the Buffalo airport and picked them all up. We took Judy to Dunkirk and then back to the Vikings.
Thursday(Don, Janice and I)stopped at Lakeview cemetery to visit the graves of Mom and Dad and Lucille Ball on our way to Bradford to the Zippo and Case knife museum. Don has always wanted to go to the museum. I was impressed also.I had no idea how many different lighters have been made through the years. They guarantee every one. If one gets run over by a truck just send it in and they replace it.We went from there to the Red Garter Restaurant.We just took in the scenery there. It was a magnificent view.The leaves are starting to turn. Next on our stop was the Casino. We had their buffet. It was very good. Gambling was next. I put in $5 in the slots and got it up to $61 but of course put most of it back in. I think I left with $7. It was fun. The road to get there is atrocious with potholes etc. Could it be from all the traffic to the Casino? From there we went to Evans skateland for my last night of skating.I know I should have gone back to the trailer to work but I wanted to see my skating friends and it's possible there won't be skating when I come back. It's an older crowd and getting smaller.Finally we went to bed but it was quite late.
Friday I drove them around to graves of family members in Busti. I tried to find the house on Pine Ridge Rd. where Mom was born but didn't find it.On our way to Alfies I stopped by Bill's grave. Don really wanted to go to Alfies because they eat at the Alfies in Ormond Beach quite often. We were all dissapointed. The fish was not as good as in Fl. We did share the hot wing soup at Chris's suggestion and that was very good. Don and Jan wanted to go back to the trailer so I took them back. I debated about going to the Celoron Legion as it was the last time Slim Griffin would be playing there. I decided to go and was glad I did because Judy (from Dunkirk) came.I saw many friends there (even Walt and Sandy).Again I should have worked on packing but I don't do well doing this kind of stuff when it gets dark.
Saturday Don and Jan went with Ron and Laura to Buffalo for the early Christmas gathering at Derek and Liza's in Clarence.They stopped at a Casino on the way in and also saw some Amish.I wanted to go but now the pressure is on so I stayed back and worked some more.I had seen all the family members during the summer so opted to stay back.I wish I could make it simpler. I miss the 2 men (Bill and George)in my life who did so much of this especially the outside work. George always said KISS Keep it simple stupid.Sunday was the Trailer Assoc. fund raiser. This is what really held me up. Somehow I was put in charge of the Chinese Auction. When it was over Laura invited us all for dinner. How can I do this when I'm still not ready? Betty Jean had come in from Sinclairville for the fund raiser so I said the heck with it. We all went to Ron and Laura's for dinner. I'm glad we did. Instead of leaving at 8am we left at noon the next day.We drove until about 9:30 pm and stopped at a Hampton Inn.We were in Raleigh on Tues. I wanted to stop at Mt. Ari on the way but got mixed up as to where it was.I thought it was further north on 52. We'll have to do it next time.We spent a few days in Raleigh with Mel. Greg went out of town when we got there and came back when we were about to leave. Hummmmm!!We hit some thrift shops and just messed around. I found Peter Pan and Tinkerbell dolls from the 50's at a Goodwill store for $35.I had Mel go back to get them because I have never seen them before and decided it was a good buy.
That last Friday we went to Bill and Loretta's trailer for lunch and a boat ride. They are putting a build-over room on the front of the trailer. It is going to be magnificent when done.We left Sat. am after all going out for breakfast. It was a good ride back except for heavy rain in South Carolina. I just couldn't drive in it but Don took the wheel and got us through it.We stopped at the Ruby Tuesday in Palm Coast for a late dinner.Then to 63 Habersham Dr. to turn everything on.After taking Don and Janice home I returned to Flagler. US 1 is very busy with Bikers.
My bed felt so good.Now I'm unpacking, sorting, putting stuff away. KISS will probably never happen with me.I was tired but not too tired to go to the Sunday night dance with my friend Patti. Tuesday night she drove to Palatka for their dance. They provide a band, a buffet dinner and a beautiful dance floor at the Shriner club. Today is Wednesday and I'm just puttering. Jessica is 16 yrs old.
I'm meeting Patti at 6 pm at Alfies before we hit the Ormond dance.
I would probably wither up if I just sat home every night.
My house looks and feels good. Come on down you Yankees. It was in the 40's after I left and about 95 here.I have one problem. The wild boar or boars got in to this development and dug up some lawns including mine in the back. It looks like a bunch of cows have been here. Since it's behind my property I hope they and not me will clean it up.
Ron and Laura have arrived safe and sound and are now in Orlando with friends. I'm making a list of things that I need help with and maybe I can grab him sometime.(It's just little things Ron)
I'm having quiet days so I'll get everything put away and be ready for company.Greg and Mel should be here the weekend of Dec. 14th.I look forward to that and wish it could be longer.

Sinclairville

Please forgive all the typing errors on the last blog. I ran out of time to do any corrections.
I'm just working hard trying to get everything ready for my Fl. departure. I guess I will make it.Janice and Don fly in Sept. 30th. I'll pick them up and then we'll do things until Sunday when we have our trailer assoc. fundraiser. We hope to leave the next Monday morning.
I took Jessie and we went to the 200th anniversay of Sinclairville. We watched the parade.I have to admit that I had thoughts that it would be so nice if Dick Peterson would come. I dated Dick 50 years ago. I would see him when I spent time in Sinclairville and Jack Scolton and he would come to Jamestown and Jane and I would double date with them. I saw no reason for Dick to come today but just thought it would be nice.Jack had a classic car in the parade and I saw him after. He said Dick Peterson is here and the two of them had talked about those days.Now I really wanted to see him. Betty jean helped me find his brother Dave and he showed me where Dick was. I went up to him and it took him a couple of minutes to realize who I was. I wish we could have spent a little time but he was with his lovely wife and another couple.Now I'm just thinking about those fun days in Sinclairville.
I am so blessed that I have to remind myself how lucky I am.I need to get a few more items to my Fl. home.I wasn't sure if they would fit in my van this time. Mel called and Greg will be working in Deland and so they will take what I have at their house
and get it to Fl. for me.Now there will be enough room for us in my van. thank you Greg and Mel.
Leslie called. Her Dad isn't doing very well and is going to Mayo clinic in Jacksonville next week. They did wonders for my friend Tom.
Greg and Judy you are invited to this early Christmas at Dereks. It's the first Sat. in Oct. We hope to see B.J. and maybe it will be on the way to Buffalo that day.
I'm still at the Laundromat and the clothes are dry. Catch you later.

Time is marching on.

I was at a book store last week when a Gentleman came in and asked if they had any books on the early settlers of Busti.They didn't but I asked him who he was looking for. He said the Wilcox family. I told him perhaps I could help him if I knew the names. He said Amos and Ephriam and I thought "BINGO". This is also our line. He had his research book with him so I glanced at that but then met him the next day at the Busti library where we exchanged and copied notes. From there we went to the Busti cemetery where I showed him the various graves. This saved him considerable time. I think BJ has put a pot of flowers on Grandma and Grandpa Holcombs grave. Also a solar light lantern. Our Great Grandparents, George F. and Lura Wilcox stones are beginning to look bad. There is a fungus that gets on the stones making them look like they are crumbling but they aren't. I cleaned the Holcombs stone last year with justdawn, a stiff brush and water. I hope I find time to clean the Wilcox one. the man's name is Brian Rappfrom Colorado. His mother lives on Orr St. He came here by train. It only cost him $5 to bring along his bicycle. When he was younger he and frined would go to the abandonedWilcox cemetery often. Do you remember going there that Thanksgiving.
I had a Dr. appt. so asked him about my very tender knee. He said it was a tendonitis.It gets better and then I do something silly like skating or dancing and aggrevate it some.
I've got a game plan for getting back to Fl. Don and Janice are flying up Sept. 30th.Don wants to go to the Zippo museum in Bradford. Other than that It will be hopefully seeing family etc. Perhaps we'll go to Salamanca to the casino.Their plane doesn't get in until midnight or we would try to have dinner with Greg and Judy. Maybe they'll come to Jamestown .
It's a beautiful day and I'm sitting in the Lakewood laundromat. I really don't like Laundromats.Thedryer is almost done. ThenI'll head out to the Optomist camp where the Swansons are having a picnic after a day of golfing. (Lynn's family)
We've had a lot of rain this summer. I've noticed mold inside my sliding glass door and my back window. Today I noticed mold all over my longleather coat. I'm now leaving the fans on all the time.
I'm out of time. The clothes are dry.

Tuesday evening

It's been hot for a couple of days.We're supposed to get some rain and slightly cooler temperatures. It's supposed to be beautiful on Sunday for Christina's party.
Greg and Mel are coming up from NC for business in Buffalo the following week but will be here late this Friday. They will be here for the party and I'm hoping Greg and Judy will also make it (along with other Buffalo people)
I had my Mammogram today. There's always a little fear until the phone call comes (and it did) that everything is okay. My eye exam a couple of weeks ago was also great.
I'm again sitting by the lake writing this. Ron and Laura are off to the fair and a gig. Christina, Jessica, myself, Ron and Laura went to the Chautauqua Idol on the floating stage at Bemus last night. A young man aged 22 by the name of Shawn Wilder won. He had just won a contest at Findley Lake also. He is right on and doesn't make mistakes. It will be fun to watch his career.
Greg Mohr told me awhile ago that he had a fx. wrist. It should be pretty well healed by now.There are some pregnancy rumors from Florida. I'll have to get more details on that. I'll call Janice or check my facebook.

That's all for now..

Catching up again

I have to take this computer where there is Internet so I just don't take the time to write on this blog. I'm wondering about George's home in Collins NY. He lived near a creek and they say that Gowanda is a mess from the flash flooding.It's very sad. All of Hidden Valley campground was evacuated. Talked to a lady tonight and she has lost everything that was outside her camper.
I volunteered last weekend at Lucille Ball's birthday celebration at the playhouse. They have replicas of the sets that were used on the show. Then I was entitled to take the 2 hr. bus tour. That was interesting.
I took Christina with me Mon. night to skating. The attendance has dropped so much that they now skate to tapes. There were about 12 people there.They were all good to her and helped her. We went today to the 2 hr. session. They all have lunch there after and we learned the restaurant is closing down. I'm afraid the rink will soon follow.
This is short but they are closing down at the Vikings and if I don't want to get locked in here I'd better go.
Remember Christina's graduation party on August 23rd.

At the Lake

It's late afternoon and I'm sitting at a picnic table near the lake using my computer.There's not much new in my life. I have to admit I'm very cold today. It's about 70 but I am freezing. It's very pretty on the water. There are a few sailboats, etc.
I was served the papers today regarding Victor Mohr's estate. They had to be hand delivered. Wonder what they do about those who are out of town? His signature looks like it was done on his "death bed".The secretary's name is Flossie Minton, not Lincoln as I had thought.
I read Heidi's blog and it is true that you should note where you are when in unfamiliar territory. I used to do this when riding on the motorcycle with George. He knew where we were but I didn't so would make mental notes in case of an emergency.
I have been skating etc. but not much exciting happening in this life of mine.Sandy and I went to a session last night in Lily Dale. It was fun and we'll probably do it again sometime.The medium said I needed a very small dog.I guess that would be company since Bubbles the fish met his demise.
Derek was here Sunday with his three. They are beautiful children. Eli has such beautiful eyes.
I have been helping Lori get the girls to and from their jobs. They work as housekeepers for Vacation Rentals. They make pretty good money. I have thought about applying next year.(Kidding)
Carol Sawyer is leaving tomorrow for Colorado. Vicki is helping her drive there.I wish her well.
We are having a Viking trailer pig roast Saturday pm (band and all) There was one last year and it was a great success. It should be fun.
I'm supposed to meet Mary Jane, Kim and B.J. in Cassadaga for lunch on Tuesday.It's nice to get re-acquainted again.
I'm cold so will get back to my warm trailer. I keep having visions of my Florida home and the huge swimming pool.

more Stuff

I'm at the Laundromat again so will try and catch up with more stuff. I miss my conveniences at my Florida home.Internet, Laundry, Good TV etc.
Back to Southwestern Graduation.The speaker was the vice-president ,Patrick Williams, of the Orlando magic.He told the class to exercise the muscle that is their brain, even after graduation.He urged them to read, read, read.
Saturday night I went to Chautauqua and saw the Fabulous 3.Frankie Avalon, Fabian and Bobby Rydell. I actually talked to Bobby Rydell for a couple of minutes after the show.They were great.One of the Everly brothers sons played guitar and put on his own little show.
Sunday was Kaitlyn's Graduation party at the town park at Sinclairville. I hesitated about going as it was cool and rainy. I finally got there and was so glad I did.Roy, Mary Jane and Sue were there. Sue had two of her children with her.I haven't seen any of them in quite awhile.Mary Jane, Betty Jean and I are going to meet next Tuesday for lunch in Lily Dale.
Today I met with Flossie Lincoln from the lawyer's office representing Victor Mohr's estate.We finally got all the cousins straightened out. Apparently this is a sizable estate. A very good friend and Eileens niece are the heirs.Flossie told me that the house was so full of stuff that he bought a Fema trailer and was living in that and that was also full of stuff. He had 16 cats which were given to the Humane Society and he left a good amount of money to them.The house isn't worth much but the land is.Because there was no spouse or children it has been a difficult job for her.