...this summer I went swimming...this summer I might have drowned...but I held my breath and I kicked my feet and I moved my arms around..

(London Wainwright)

Emma is in her second week of swim lessons. Finally they have convinced her to swim under water. She is a strong swimmer but does not like to go under. They even have her going off the diving board!

Paul (Karpel) stayed up for the week to work with Uncle Salt. The two of them along with Dan Adamson cleared another huge swath of the new beach area. They also managed to get all the wire threaded through the conduit ready to be buried. Wednesday the electrician will hook up the power to the house.

I had a very boring (but productive) day....I went for all my annual check-ups. I will spare all of you the details on THAT! I am glad to get it all done though before we take off for 6 months. I am having nightmares about the fact that the tests will come back and show some fatal disease and screw up our big trip!!!

BOY is it hot! It is supposed to be 98-100 today. Stub and Karen Lashomb stopped in for a visit last night and I drank coffee. I was so wound when I finally went to bed I could not sleep. I ended up getting out of bed at 1:30 am and baking blueberry muffins. It became one of those "If god gives you lemons..." situations. I knew it would be way too hot to turn on the oven today so figured at least I could turn my nervous energy into an accomplishment of some kind!

We are all going to attempt to work today but have already discussed the possibility of knocking off at noon if the forecast is as predicted. Everything we touch is wet/sticky. Should be an interesting varnishing day!! Paige and I may just end up hopping on the jet ski or a raft and spending the day IN the river. I feel very fortunate to be living on the water during this heat wave. We talked to Mike and it was 114 in California. They are up in the mountains, so at least when he leaves work he can get some relief.

They Say It's Your Birthday....

What a week it has been. The contractors made a ton of progress on the house, which put the pressure on me to get all of the paneling pickled/varnished or painted. I hired Paige Garnsey to help. Boy, was I in for a surprise. Paige is only 13 so I was thinking she would be helpful, but I never imagined a kid of that age would be as ambitious and skilled as she turned out to be. She kept up with me for 8 hours a day...very few breaks. Paige is attending Basketball Camp mornings next week but will be back to help me finish up in the afternoons. What a joy she is to work with!



Yesterday was Emma's 7th birthday. It's hard believe she is 7 already. I love the picture of her with her new American Girl Doll (Molly). She managed to con Grandma into that one! When the catalogue came she was thumbing through the pages and stopped at Molly and exclaimed that with her new glasses she looked just like Molly, so should have her. Made perfect sense to a grandmother!!

The new bike is from Pop. I wouldn't even want to guess how many miles she has already put on that.

Since Betty had to work last night, we moved the party over to the Augusbury's. Sparky Howard-Smith and his family are here for two weeks so they were able to share Em's birthday with her. Ashley is just a few months older than Emma.

Joe and Rindy arrived last night with Janna, Matt and Paul. Loaded with groceries and fresh blueberries they are all managing to function just fine without Aunt Kitty's usual home cooked meals and counters full of baked goods. Working weekends has put a big crimp in my social life!!

It's Hard to Fly Like an Eagle ...When you are surrounded by Turkeys!

I haven't posted in a couple of days for one simple reason...sanding chairs, painting tongue and groove and cleaning rocks doesn't really make for very interesting journaling.

We are getting down to the nitty gritty on the house. Salt and I went on Friday and spent 3 hours with the kitchen designer and purchased our entire kitchen as well as the bathroom fixtures. We also purchased a new bed and furniture for the family/living room. We had to change our whole way of thinking....This is the first time I have furnished a small home. While I was baking muffins this morning, I realized how much more efficient the new kitchen will actually be. I won't have to pack a lunch to get to the cupboard where the vegetable oil is!!

Saturday night was the annual Turkey Dinner at the church, here on the Island. The day nurse (with Junes help) was able to take Frank to the dinner and with Salt't help I was able to maneuver him back into the house for my evening shift. It was a nice outing for him even though it was a bit crowded with the inclement weather.

Amy Pullaw and her fiancee Brent came over yesterday afternoon. Brent is a big hunter and lover of wildlife prints. I had them pick out a couple of Bill's prints for their new home and they were SO pleased with the art as well as the fact that it had belonged to Bill.

I can't believe I still have not posted. I am off for another 12 hour shift so I am going to cut this one short and post it anyway. Paige Garnsey is helping me "pickle" my 5,000 sq Ft of wood for our new home. She will be back tomorrow and Friday so there probably won't be much posting for a few more days. Friday is Emma's birthday and since it is our night with her (Betty works) we celebrate here along with my brother Joe and his family.

Check out the turkeys. I was sitting at my computer this morning as they paraded along in front of me. Living here is like a daily visit to the zoo; you never know what will turn up outside your window!

Old Dogs and Children and watermelon Wine....

Ok..So no watermelon Wine...However if things don't slow down, there might be...(just kidding)!

The night before River was scheduled to go in for his neutering, he bounded out of the house over at the construction site and has a double compound fracture to his leg. We waited to take him in the morning since we had no idea it was that bad. He was limping but it was so late at night that he just laid down and we didn't think much more about it since he was going tot he vet the next morning anyway. Well as it turned out by time he got there he had an infection and high fever so after his scheduled surgery they put a cast on him and kept him for the night...$$$$$. The doctor called this morning and he is doing better and is able to come home this afternoon. Unfortunately he can not get the cast wet and he must be restrained for 3 weeks. Yeah, that's easy with a LAB who lives right on the river...He is home now and resting; I don't think he likes Salt or me, for sending him away!

The screened porch and roof are on the house. WOW...it goes the whole length of the house so is like adding on 2 more rooms or one VERY big one. No more mosquitos for us! The really cool part is that when you look forward you are looking into the woods and then if you turn to the right it is a water view...I LOVE it!

We are headed to the Adamson's for Mexican dinner tonight.

It's Alright to Be Itty Bitty....

The start of the Sun Deck and Screened Porch (Porch is on the right and will go the entire length of the house).

It is 2:24 in the morning and I have not had a lick of sleep. Salt and I went to Gananoque for dinner; afterward we sat and drank about 3 cups of REALLY strong coffee. Salt is sleeping like a baby and I am ready to fly! When will I learn??? I am sure I will be really sorry tomorrow when it's time to go to work!

I bet my contractor wishes I would learn to take a picture from a moving boat. Every picture I take from the water makes the house look crooked...it's not

OK....Going to try to get some sleep. I have writer's block!

Don't Forget to Remember Me...

Daron & Monica Johnson, Liz Price-Kellogg

July 17, 1970Dad (George Karpel)
Kitty Karpel (Paxton) Bill Paxton

Happy Birthday Bill

Fran & John Mallory


36 years ago today I married my deceased husband, and father of my children, Bill Paxton. We will always remember the 20 wonderful years we had with you Bill.

When I decided to post the wedding picture, I took it over to my friend Jim (since my scanner is in the motor coach) and asked him to scan it for me. His wife looked at it and said...."gee, I don't think I remember mini wedding gowns"....Hello Ellen, neither does the rest of the world...I have ALWAYS been a free spirit"!

It was a week for celebrations... Happy Birthday Bill Danforth!

Last evening we attended the wedding reception held at Buck Bay in honor of Fran Purcell and John Mallory. Buck Bay is the summer home of Fran and was the ideal setting for a pitcuresque reception. Along with the wonderful food and friends, we were entertained by the superb talents of Daron Johnson (who recently toured with Seal) on keyboard accompanying his wife Monica and Liz Price-Kellogg with a beautiful rendition of Wild Horses.

Oh...I almost forgot; I am a redhead again. Ellen and Laura came over and played beautician yesterday afternoon and we all decided blondes really don't have more fun!

Sorry no posting of a update on the house...I never got over there before dark. I do know that both of the large sun deck and screened porch are framed in. Kevin assures me we can watch the sunset from our front deck within a day or two. That is of course IF the 90 degree weather and high humidity diminish somewhat so Salt and Dan can start wielding chain saws again and clearing the scrub around the waterfront.

Ken Deedy stopped for a glass of ice tea this afternoon and ended up staying for a couple of hours. It was great to see him for the first time (other than passing on the road) this summer and catching up. He is a great friend with a wonderful sense of humor! He is also very knowledgable of all the "going ons" of the island. As former president of the TI Land Trust (and current board member) as well as Church Secretary, a visit with Ken is a great way to catch up on "Island Politics"!

The Adamsons were here for dinner....as always great fun!

Some Say Love it is a River...

that drowns the tender reed.
Some say love is a raZor that leaves your heart to bleed.
Some say love it is a hunger, an endless aching need,
I say love it is a flower and you the only seed...
(The Rose by Bet Middler)

Congratulations to Joe & Rindy on their 10th anniversary, celebrated last week. Matthew met Rev Davison at the sing-a-long and absolutely fell in love with him. He thought he was VERY cool, and couldn't believe he "actually married my mom and dad".

Joseph and his girlfriend Jackie visited for the weekend and blew me away. I came home from a very difficult night at work (12 hour shift) on Sunday morning and found the kitchen cleaned and all the bedding washed and on the line. He also arrived with groceries and did the cooking over the weekend. Quite unusual for a college freshman. He will be heading to SUNY Oneonta, majoring in Political Science in August. He will join my niece Katie Karpel who is a Junior there.

Not much else today 12 hr work shift leaves little time for play!

Sing, Sing a Song...

Make it happy to last your whole life long!

And happy it was.... Thanks Lolita for a great evening.

Approximately 30-35 friends gathered at "Tip", summer home of LoLita Pheiffer and her three children. Andy Davis (Dr., Rev. Davis) led us in song and laughter around the campfire. I took along my niece and nephew, who were a little apprehensive about a sing-a-long until they arrived. When they actually started singing B-I-N-G-O, She'll be Coming Around the Mountain and some of the other old "fun" songs they perked up and joined in with gusto!

Janna was reading the "blog" and wondering why she had not appeared yet. So here she is with one of the many of jars of jam she prepared this week.

I also thought I would include the picture of River following the canoe. He doesn't let us go anywhere without him if he has his way. I think Bill and Wendy are getting a new babysitter when they take him for the winter.

I am off to work today; taking over for one of the other nurses who had the opportunity to go to Montreal for the weekend. Janna and Matthew left this morning and their older brother Joseph and his girlfriend Jackie will be arriving this evening. I'm afraid they won't get the usual home cooked meals Joe has been used to whenever visiting Aunt Kitty. He was warned ahead of time and said he didn't care he just needed to get to the river for some R&R. It's amazing how all of these kids come back to find their peace when the "real" world starts spinning too fast.

Hopefully Salt will find the problem with my boat. Betty and I were stranded in town yesterday evening. Salt came and picked us up and we left the boat until he could get back over and get it fixed. Being the whiz mechanic he is I am sure I will be up and running before I return from work!

So I Took Myself Down to the Fair in Town....

Emma with her new glasses
View of house (minus decks and porches) from River

Matt & Emma on the Bumper Cars

Tea with Weezie and Lauren

For some reason Blogger let me post one picture but is not posting any more right now. Oh well, if I can't get them on tonight I will try again tomorrow.

We took the two smaller kids (Matt and Emma) to the fair this afternoon. I had set myself up for a long hot day of misery. Surprisingly, all the smart people stayed away so we did not encounter any lines. The kids had a great time and won a ton of prizes (all of which I am sure will be in the garbage by next week).

I couldn't believe Daniel and Janna actually wanted to stay home and work (for money of course...But that's OK!). I guess this means they are growing up. It was SO nice after all the years of cleaning up after them and cooking for them to see their great attitudes and accomplishments.

Janna cleaned the entire house and then baked muffins for dinner. Daniel and Salt started clearing the River front so we can start to realize our spectacular view from our new home. The clearing is not anywhere near completion but just the amount they accomplished is WONDERFUL. It is HOT, HARD work but they did an amazing job. Daniel completed his first year at Hargrave Military Academy in VA last year....wow has he matured.

Off to Lolita's for her "Sing-a-long"...Fun, Fun, Fun!

That's What Friends Are For.....

Gwen & Bill Taylor, indulging in Peter's "infamous" Whiskey Sours!

Peter also indulging...notice the pucker!

Last night was cocktails and dinner at the Rossmassler's. Along with our hosts, we were joined by Bill & Gwen Taylor (Arizona residents in Winter) and Fred and Linda Jackson (Florida residents in Winter).

Why did I think I might possibly drop some weight this summer??? It's one party after another. Frances put on her usual delicious spread and of course was sure to invite our dog "River" in for dinner and dessert!

I received a call from Lauren Ennis, of the "Hamptons" (Binghamton) this afternoon, inviting me to tea ; I said I would love to attend and that is when she informed me that it would be at my house... And she and Weezie Ford (winter resident of London, England) would be here at 4:00...."OK"...as long as I don't have to change my shirt with spattered Chicken Ala Orange (dinner for the Augusbury's, this evening) or mop the raspberry jam and pie off the kitchen floor. Gosh, I wish I could have been this laid back during all those years with Bill and IBM. Oh well, at least I am doing it now!

Emma comes home from camp today and will pick her new glasses up tomorrow. Since she will be in Watertown, Betty decided to take her to the Jefferson County Fair. Somehow in one of my stupors, I agreed to take Matthew, Janna and Danny Adamson with them. This could be a problem for Salt since Danny has started working for him today. Guess Dan will have to make that decision!

LoLita Pheiffer (Winter resident of Michigan) called and invited us to a big campfire/sing-along tomorrow evening. As I was talking to her, Salt is just shaking his head muttering...how many hours does she think (meaning me) there are in a day. I also agreed to work for one of the nurses on Friday and Saturday is my scheduled 12 hour shift. Sunday is Amy Pullaw's Bridal Shower in Gananoque and Sunday evening Fran Purcell's (Vermont resident in winter) wedding reception. Fran was married in VT a few weeks ago but will be celebrating with Island family and friends on Sunday. And how was your week...????

Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda...Here I am at Camp Owasco

Emma wins the top bunk at camp!


Day 5
After a fun filled weekend, lots of company, boating and food. Betty, Janna and I took Emma to her first overnight camp. We got up this morning and Salt asked how I thought Emma was doing. My reply was I thought Emma was probably fine, I wondered how the Counselor was doing???

Janna and Matthew stayed here on the island while dad Joe and mom Rindy headed back to the homestead and work. Matt is working for Salt and enjoying his new found freedom of being able to take the 4 wheeler off the property and to his friends houses. Janna is busy in the HOT kitchen with Aunt Kitty helping to process 18 pints of strawberry jam and 20 pints of black raspberry jam. We also managed two black raspberry pies and two batches of home made frozen custard.

Salt and I will be dining with Peter and Frances Rossmassler, and a group of other Island friends, this evening. We will surprise them with pie and ice cream.

We received good news from 2 of our very close friends today. Bill, Wendy, Tae and Eva Rossmassler will be babysitting our loving Golden Retriever "River" for the winter. He will be joining them in Vermont, while our cat "Doc" will be spending his winter in Maryland with the Adamsons. When your friends come forward to take on this responsibility, you know they are FRIENDS. Bill Rossmassler made the offer and said "of course if you can find a better place...". Everyone on the Island got a kick out of this since, as I told Bill, People would like to come back as a Rossmassler dog. Spoiled would be an understatement!

Today was work day 6 on the house. Kevin and his crew are just amazing us (and EVERYONE else who checks in for a progress report) with their workmanship and the speed with which they are getting things done.

IF You Come Down To The River.....

Coffee hour held at "High Spirits" home of Rex and Janet Ennis.
Day 2 of cottage building.


Finally after missing the first 3 "Coffee Clutches" with the River Queens, (my name for some of the finest ladies and friends on the river), I was able to attend my first one yesterday morning. I decided that the company coming this weekend could eat store bought cookies and I would play a little bit. It was so much fun to see so many of my friends that I have not seen since last Fall. Of course, I still came home and found time to make the cookies, brownies and pies!

Salt and I made a trip to Watertown and picked out our new wood stove and the slate flooring for the cabin. When we got back we drove to the site and were overwhelmed to see that the upper level floor was already in. Everyone is very impressed with the quality of the lumber we had shipped in from British Columbia (Greystokes International) and I am VERY impressed with Mike Lindsey who was the representative , my initial contact with the company. This is my 13th, house or cottage and it is the FIRST time I have ever have someone call every couple of weeks to follow up with our progress....AFTER they have all the money. Thanks Mike!

We are also very grateful for Kevin Garnsey (contractor) and his crew. They are doing a magnificent job; and a joy to work with. Maybe it's because I am spoiling them with fresh baked goods every morning for their mid morning coffee break?????

Salt and I are headed to the Adamson's for dinner and fireworks this evening. I have a house full of company coming and I am leaving dinner for them for whenever they arrive and a note to meet us at the fireworks for "smores".

Emma went for her camp check-up yesterday and they concluded that she needs glasses. Betty is taking her today to be fitted. I am already dreading trying to follow Emma around without her loosing or breaking them....I guess she will learn.

Mike and Robin and the girls are in California and nearly settled in their new home. I am waiting for pictures which I will post when they are all back on the internet.

We had a surprise visit this weekend from our cousin Shane (the fisherman). I think he's camped out on the sofa....leaving room for Joe, Rindy, Janna, Matthew and Emma, all of whom will be arriving early tomorrow morning.

We just returned from our belated 4th of July celebration at the Adamson's. Fireworks and friends galore.

LET FREEDOM RING...It's Independence Day!

Kevin Garnsey, Contractor...First day of actual construction....


Frank Augusbury with one of his nurses..Stephanie Donaldson

.


Salt sat at the breakfast table this morning looking over at the work site and said..."How appropriate that the cottage finally starts on Independence Day!" Thus, welcome to our new summer home, Camp Independence. LOW Maintenance! More "play" time.

Although I am only working 2 days a week, it seems I end up at Frank's just about every day for one thing or another. Today we checked out his new bed (with electric controls) and were delighted to see how much easier it has made his stay here on the island. While there I snapped this picture of him with one of the day nurses. No wonder the man is always smiling!!!

We are headed to the Adamson's for dinner tonight. Jim has his stash of fireworks but we will wait until Friday evening to fire them off as Laura is working night shift with her patient Marlene Ennis. THREE nights this week out to dinner for us....It's Independence WEEK!

I am loving my new camera and the pictures are great, BUT, they always come out blurry when posted to the blog??????

Will You Still Love Me When I'm "63"?

Hannah & Jordan

Happy Birthday George!


Glen & Britt



Salt and I scooted across the river this evening to join my brother George and his family in celebrating his birthday. We were especially happy to see my niece Britt, her husband Glen and their two children Jordan and Hannah. We only get to see them about twice a year and it is always a pleasure to see how much the children have grown and catch up on all of their activities. The food was great (as always, thanks to my sister-in-law Cheryl) and we enjoyed talking to both George and Cheryl about their new country residence. Cheryl jokes that George bought a barn and fortunately a house came with it!

The contractors came this morning and brought all their equipment...Tomorrow the construction finally starts!!

HARD WORKING TRUCK....

Matthew, running the levers for Uncle Salt.

I'm Lean, I'm Mean, I"m a Workin Machine...
Getting It All Done is Just Routine
Climbing Through The Mud, Stone Dirt And Muck...I'm a Hard Workin' Truck (James Coffey)

Oh my gosh, I can't believe it is July 1. Another week has flown by! We brought Matthew home with us last Sunday and as soon as he left, Alice arrived from the Binghamton area. Alice works at Binghamton General Hospital so was caught in the middle of the Disaster deluge. She called Aunt Kitty to see if when she finally got out of the hospital she could come to the island for a little R&R. She can't even remember how many hours she worked since the flood disaster. Lourdes Hospital (also in Binghamton) as well as the Riverview Nursing home in Owego both had to be evacuated and her hospital absorbed as many of the patients as they possibly could.

That was only the beginning of the disaster for Alice and her family (my brother Tom is her dad). Their house is completely flooded and they have evacuated. They have no idea how long it will take to salvage and rebuild the house. They have been blessed with a friend who was recently married and living in her new husband's house, offering her vacant house to them for as long as needed.

I have started my new job (for the summer only) and am finding it SO rewarding. I am caring for Frank Augusbury (my dear friend and neighbor) for 20 hours a week. I work 8 hours on Wednesdays and then pull a 12 hour shift on Saturday nights so that Betty, who works 6 nights a week can have a Saturday night with her family. Frank is a wondeful patient and gives 100% in attitude!

Tom Tinney has been over for a couple of days this week, working with Salt in getting the drainage and fill completed in the building area. The structure will go up next week WEATHER providing. Of all the years to have the "rains"!

Strawberries are in and I am just a jam making fool. We missed last year and ended up buying jams from the store....urgh!!!