Grandchildren....God's reward for not killing your teenagers!

Congratulations to Diane and Dave Kone on the birth of their new grand daughter Makenna!

She's BEAUTIFUL!

When your prized possesions start to weigh you down....

Today we ran into an old friend who is in the process of selling her large home and building a smaller one. She asked us if we had ever regretted our decision to "downsize". I told her my only regret would be that I didn't do it 10 years earlier. I know it is a huge decision when one decides to part with "collectibles" and all the STUFF collected over a lifetime. I can honestly say I have NEVER missed anything we parted with. I look back now and think of how long I actually worried about leaving the house with the big gun collection and pieces of jewelry I never wore anymore. I was a babysitter to unimportant things. We so love hopping in our motor home and just going wherever we please....and now when we come back home our life is so much more carefree. We are so enjoying our quality time with family and friends without worrying about lawns, gardens and lots of housework. Salt of course is still doing all the above, but now for $$$$$.

What a hectic weekend. Emma had her awards ceremony for Girl Scouts and was awarded 21 new badges. She has found her niche with the scouts! Oh by the way Betty....I hope she is bugging you EVERY day to get the badges on her sash (like you did..ha ha). I do notice that you get to iron them on where in the "olden days" when you were little I had to SEW them on.

Good Job Emma!


Salt and I were on our way to pick up the mail last night when we frightened a Mama deer and new fawn. Mama ran one way and the little guy the opposite direction where he got tangled in the weeds. Salt untangled him and fortunately I had the camera in my pocket. After we put him down, Mom was only a few yards away waiting for us to leave. Salt wanted to know why I cut his head off.....hmmmm another picture of Salt or a rare picture of a new fawn?????



Karen and Stub were down for coffee this morning.....reviewing the highlights of the 50th birthday party on Sunday.





Here is Karen with a cake any "old lady" would envy!! We all love Maxine!!!


We had an opportunity to visit with many friends...a rare visit with John Marra. John is the son of Phil and Yuvonne who I am sure will make the blog many times this year. I am sure they will be the beaming grandparents on July 12 when their beautiful grand daughter Jacey will be married here on the river.

Karen (middle) with her sister Laurie (left) and daughter Jada. Laurie and Jada hosted the party and did a wonderful of not only supplying all of us with good food and laughter but also managed to keep it a surprise from Karen....no easy task!

Now for a woman who ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY did NOT want a party, she doesn't look too unhappy!

Salt and I sitting in the back of Bill and Gwen Taylor's boat as we were being chauffeured to the mainland for the party. A real treat for Captain Salt, as he is usually the one in the driver's seat!

Here is our chauffeur Bill Taylor (one of the few lawyers I actually LOVE; not that it keeps me from telling him every nasty lawyer joke I hear) and his lovely wife Gwen. Bill and Gwen also had a new home built by Kevin Garnsey (our contractor) and it is magnificent. Next time I am there I will definitely have my camera!

In my attempt to catch up on the many, many friends I owe dinners too, Saturday night we were graced with Phylis Schwartz, Elaine Brooks, Bruce Brooks and "Doc" Schwartz. The weather was perfect for a dinner on the river deck. What fun catching up!! Love you guys!!!



Spent a large part of the afternoon on the beach with Ellen. Since Jim is headed off to Ottawa for a business trip tomorrow, we decided she and I would head to Watertown for pedicures, haircuts, a movie and lunch. I made sure I treated Salt to dinner at the Koffee Kove this evening so I won't feel guilty when I throw him a peanut butter sandwich tomorrow night!!

Salt and I cruised over to Rex and Janet Ennis's this evening so I could procure the paperwork on my new high speed Internet which is being installed in the next week or so. A full gig!!! I can't wait....goodbye Verizon and all the hard times you have given me with your stupid roaming charge removal!!!

Wednesday, Bible Study begins. We are going to be working the Purpose Driven Life. I am excited to rework it...I worked it 2 summers ago with Frank Augusbury. It will be interesting to see how it unfolds with a group of 15.

Also turkey dinner on Wednesday at the Ennis's.

I can't slow down!

Honey, I don't care...life isn't just about your hair!

Emma got home from school yesterday and announced it was just too hot in school to have long hair. After some manipulating, she got her mom to take her in for a haircut. I LOVE it! Of course look at that face....she would look beautiful if she were bald. I especially like the fact that it will be so much easier for her to take care of it herself.



Looking at Emma is a glance into the past. Here is her mom (Betty) when she was just a year older than Emma....Emma is like a "mini me". Of course, there are NO pictures of Betty with short hair because her dad never let her get it cut until she was 12.






We had 15 text messages from Rachael Wednesday evening...now that we are into the month of June she is so excited about getting to the island. Emma is also counting the days until we go to pick Rachael up!

After our beautiful day yesterday, we again had torrential rains last night. I went down to the boat and tuned on the electric bilge pump... it took over 15 minutes to pump it out....that sucker was like really sitting low in the water. After that I went to the town dock to bail out Salt's boat with a 5 gallon bucket. Unbelievable!!!

So you'll add to the local color serving coffee with a cruller....

Manley Rusho, acted as captain and picked up his harem at the Ennis dock, before heading for the home of Skip and Joan Tollete. Joan hosted the weekly woman's coffee this morning.





Janice McPhail enjoying the cruise....



For the first time in a long while, the weatherman was correct and we were able to enjoy the ride on a perfectly calm river with plenty of sunshine.....Ellen Adamson and Sue Smith catching up from a long winter separation.

The whole gang...minus photographer. Photographer will have her NEW camera next week....hurrah!! I am really embarrassed, amidst all the chatter and fun I never got a closeup of our hostess, Joan. She is pictured here at the very end of the table.

Of course plenty of food provided by Grindstone's excellent cooks.....

Sue Smith, MaryLou Rusho, Janice McPhail, Susie Smith, Ellen Adamson, Gwen Taylor, Janet Ennis, Joan Luce....Jerry Couch is in back of Joan Luce and that's Shirley Taylor WAY in the back with her hand up. A few are missing from the picture.

Ellen returned a couple of days ago and she and Jim joined Salt and myself for dinner last evening. We are making plans for a trip off the island. We have talked the boys into going with us to see Sex and the City.....of course we did have to bribe them with dinner at the Texas Roadhouse!!!

Janet Ennis over for a visit this afternoon.

sometimes the best things in life are unanswered prayers

Happy Birthday Joe!!

Here he is on his first birthday in 1955. He still has the same hairdo!



In 1954 as soon as I knew my mother was pregnant, I started praying for a sister...didn't happen. Instead on June 5, my brother and best friend Joe was born. Through all the good and bad times, he has been with me. I could go on and on about all night card games, almost fatal skiing trips, etc. etc.

As I was going through the photo albums, I noticed he seemed to get in every picture I was in.

My mom always told the story about how dad had told us he was a "big" baby, weighing in at over 9#s. Back before disposable diapers, there were cloth diapers and rubber pants (plastic) that were put over the diaper. I took my $.25 and went into J.J. Newberries and bought a pair of rubber pants for him to wear home. The sales clerk asked what size I wanted and I told her they were for a VERY large baby (I was 8 years old). She says to me..."do you think you need the jumbo ones?" She didn't know they were for a newborn.... Well, my mother not wanting to hurt my feelings put the pants on him. Here was this little tiny baby with these spindly legs hanging out of pants made for a 3 year old. I can still see it in my mind.

Here he is with me on my 10th birthday and the first store bought cake to ever enter our house. Thanks to my Godmother Aunt Jenny!

This is one of the very few pictures of me, when I was a child, with short hair. This must have been awhile after my mother cut it off because she had told me NOT to go in the old chicken coop. However, my girlfriend and I decided to turn it into a playhouse. We came out plastered with chicken lice. Mom was SO mad at me that she just cut it all off (was down to my waist) so she could get the lice out easier. My dad was so po'd at her for cutting it!!! Yep, Emma didn't fall far from the tree!!

I see Bambi...you see antlers on the wall

Blurry....Salt snapped this picture with his cell phone, coming home from Betty's tonight. Mama deer had just dropped her. We watched her take her first stand. They are SO cute....too bad they grow up and eat my flower gardens!!!

Not a lot happening the last few days....real life (doctor's appointments, shopping and cleaning hardware floors) is not nearly as much fun as traveling and living in a resort in Florida. Ellen will be on the island tonight and, supposedly, the weather is going to clear up and go into the 80's. Then it should be fun. Once we can get out in the boats and jet skis.

We are headed into Canada this week to pick up the motor home and run it in for inspection.

While we are crossing the border we will pick up our I68 which allows us to cross into Canada and check back into the US from our house. Much less hassle than trying to drive all the way to a customs station.

Coffee at Tollete's tomorrow....Manley transporting us over on his pontoon (party) boat!

When did she grow to be a lady.....

Our niece,, Chelsea Karpel at the Hudson Prom. I went and spent a week with my brother (Steve) and sister-in-law (Mary) when Chelsea was born....it couldn't have been that long ago????

Weather still terrible....woke up to more rain. Catching up on "inside" chores; lots of paperwork.

I can't wait until Tuesday when my playmate (Ellen) gets here!

People in glass houses should not throw stones....

This morning the weekly coffee was held at Liz and Zell's (remember the glass house). I was able, amidst all the chit chat, to capture a couple of pictures of the inside of this enchanting home.
If you decide to take a seat on the couch, make sure you bring your sunglasses!

Junie Augusbury, her daughter Abby Rand and Janice McPhail.


Every day's dining experience is like a picnic in the woods!


The unique bathroom includes Pyrex bowls for sinks....

and a cow watering troth for a bath tub!

And of course a magnificent panoramic view of the river.

The attendance lists are getting longer each week...... today; Liz Raisbeck (our hostess) myself, Mary Lou Rusho, June Augusbury, Abby Rand, Sue Smith, Susie Smith (Canada), Joan Tollete, Janice McPhail, Diane Brabant and Joan Luce.

I gotta get things ready, make sure their alright cuz all my rowdy friends are coming over tonight!

Finally, we were able to have dinner on the deck. The weather is still not very good (we have had a fire every night this week) but we did have a little reprieve on Sunday. Tom Tinney, Julie Durdon, Ken Deedy and Jim Adamson joined us this week. Salt and I are trying to catch up on all the invitations we owe....I am hoping there will be enough time in the next 5 months to catch up from our 2 years of my working nights and the time we were tied up in selling the farm house and building the new one. My brother Joe (who loves trivia) informed me that I pickled/varnished over 7 miles of tongue and groove....actually at the time it seemed like more!

Look....they are ALL smiling! I threatened!


Julie, deep in thought..


Hey, who grabbed my camera....that's a switch.


The church is starting to fill up now that Memorial Day is here.

Some even choose to come in a helicopter....Josie Calhoun hitched a ride with Doug Johnson.




And our beloved "Doc" Schwartz is back home....and feeling so much better than last summer. He is joined here with Skip Tolette, Rex Ennis (WOW Rex, you look great with that new haircut and trim!) and Joan Flint.

I have my computer and broadband connection back so hopefully my blogging will be more consistent.

We talked to Robin and Rachael tonight....Betty, Emma and I are traveling to Virginia Beach the last part of June to spend a couple of days with Mike and the family and bring Rachael back with us for ??? we aren't sure how long. I think it will depend on how much she misses her mom! It's pretty amazing though once the kids get here and get involved in all the river/island activity, homesickness isn't usually an issue!

Salt is swamped with mechanical work. Since Tom and Julie (and Paige) are in Texas for Tyler's graduation from Air Force boot camp it's a perfect time for him to get some of the island vehicles fixed and serviced. His skills are greatly appreciated and in demand since sending the vehicles off the island and back is such a hassle and expense.

Because the wind is high it blows my mind.....

I really hate when I get this far behind in blogging, but I still have not been able to get in and get my computer so I am using dial-up and it just frustrates me to the point it's not worth it.


Jim Adamson and Chet Taylor were here for dinner on Monday. Now check out the smiles...or lack of. I keep thinking we are having a good time and then I look at these pictures and everyone looks so sad. Is it my cooking???? Maybe everyone is in fear of appearing on the blog!
Or MAYBE....everyone is waiting for nice weather. Today is the first day this week that the wind has stopped and we don't have rain and/or cold.






But then there are those who will do anything to get on. Emma helping Pop split wood.



and modeling more of Rachael's hand me downs. The first words out of her mouth when she walked in...."Grandma, LOOK, I have all Rachael's clothes on except for my underwear!

These pictures are lousy...I really need my photo software! I also need a new camera, which Betty tried to talk me into when we went to town on Thursday. I was, however, just not in the mood for shopping for an expensive item....as a matter of fact I wasn't in the mood for shopping for anything! Here is a quick synopsis of how the day went. Got up to pouring rain/cold....dressed in Salt's camo rain gear (looked like I belonged in Iraq)....went down to the dock and started to get in my boat and low and behold.....a @#%# duck had started building a nest in it. Duck Poop ALL over! SO....back up the hill to get cleaning supplies, back down (still raining) and after finishing the dirty duty, started out for town. Betty and I both had huge lists and needed to go to 5 different stores....(still raining). Finally, we get back to Clayton, carry all the groceries and supplies to the boat and it stops raining. For this I was very grateful because I wouldn't have to drive around the island in the rain. I get in the boat, turn the key and there is this familiar ear piercing grind (starter) I call Salt and tell him what is going on and while on the phone with him I try it again and of course, same sound but now it won't stop. All of a sudden
Betty yells, "Mom there is smoke coming out of the engine"....Salt hears her and yells "get out of the boat" (like I was going to stay in there, duh) I did try to pull a fuse, which wouldn't come out so here I am hopping over $500 worth of groceries all packed around me. We are talking nothing but ass and elbows getting out of there. Betty is, I am sure trying to act concerned and not laugh and says "Mom....don't you want your briefcase?"..... Forget the briefcase, grab the $80 worth of Starbucks coffee beans!!! Finally, the starter gear grinds itself out stops smoking and there is silence. Salt shows up...stores are closed now so he loads everything back in his boat and we take off across the river....just as it starts raining again. THE END

After a hot shower and a good cup of coffee, we sat back and laughed.

Peter Rossmassler and his three sons , Bill, Tom and Rich are on the island for the weekend. Salt and I took some muffins over this morning and sat around the fire catching up on every one's life. They are all such interesting kids, each of them would make a great blog entry.

Jim Adamson is back after a week in Russia and a couple of days in Toronto and should now be able to settle in for the summer. He will join us tomorrow for dinner with Tom Tinney, Julie Durdon and Ken Deedy. ...and by golly when I get the camera out tomorrow night I am going to make sure they are smiling. Actually with that group, it will be nothing but laughter!!

Ellen Adamson will be returning to the island on June 6. Shirley Taylor was down for coffee yesterday and informed me that she has a new jet ski. Jim and Salt will be launching both mine and Ellen's jet skis soon and then you will see some girls that just want to have fun.

Oh yeah....here is Salt with a new breaker bar, gifted to him by Jim. He was like a kid at Christmas. Tim the Tool man has NOTHING on Salt (or my brother George)!

The lilac bushes are in full bloom so the house is filled with the wonderful aroma. Unfortunately they last such a short period of time.

And I leave with you with.....Lettuce! We had our first picking today and enjoyed it on turkey sandwiches. I LOVE this Aero garden...I wish I could have a whole hydroponic room!!! Absolutely amazing and NO care!

Oh by the way....that's fresh ground pepper, not dirt!!

When we leave this time we're not coming back!

Congratulations Kriston and Betty...They both have their Masters Degrees! We are all so proud of you! We know how hard you both worked....

Kriston Daniels Webb is Betty's best friend. They started their Bachelor's program together and supported each other through thick and thin to get to this very happy day.

Saturday we ventured up to SUNY Potsdam for Betty's graduation ceremony....a very happy day for all of us.! A little wind blown, but happy! Salt is really smiling. I wonder when I suggested we take the kids on our honeymoon 19 years ago (Disney Cruise to Bahamas) if he thought he would ever get them raised? Now we wonder where the years went????

Here are the husbands who may just get some quality time now....

After the ceremony we joined Kriston's family for lunch at the Lobster House.

And now for a closing Aero Garden report....LOOK! It's lettuce. Another week and we start cutting it!


I will post some better pictures when I get my computer back with my photo enhancing programs.

Chester Taylor and Jim Adamson coming to dinner tomorrow night.

I've been living my life "fast forward" and I need to rewind real slow....

Although I still do not have my computer back, I decided I would try and catch up on some blogging....even if it does take FOREVER! The weather is so crappy; strong winds and rain, so once again I am not going to get at any outside work. I guess I really should not complain, as I talked to my friend Marilyn, in Buffalo, NY and it was snowing there this morning; May 19...just doesn't seem right!

One of the perks of having long legs is the fact that when needed , one can kick them self in the butt! That is exactly what I did earlier in the week. I put on my walking shoes and took a 2 mile walk across the fields and over to Frank and June Augusbury's. I have not been there since Frank passed away so was a little sad to imagine what summer will be like without Frank's company. June had not been here yet, but Harry and Urch are preparing for her homecoming and have done a marvelous job of grooming the grounds.

On my way home, I grabbed some pictures (sorry can't enhance them without my own computer software) of the trees the deer stripped last winter. We had what everyone referred to as a "good old fashioned winter" and it appears that the animals had to do a lot of forging for their food.

Wednesday Frank's Augusury's Memorial Service was held in Ogdensburg. Frank would have been proud of the tribute paid him by friends and son Jack. Ken Deedy even added a "Kitty" joke Frank and I shared on my last visit with him. Of course it was political (Frank and I were on the same side of the fence....the right side!) and of course it had to do with Hillary Clinton....Thank you Frank for all the great times we shared and for helping me to truly find the meaning of serenity!

Friday, Salt and I headed to town for our annual "Grandparent's Breakfast" with Emma. Since Salt's boss (Tom Tinney) is very understanding of our commitments to our family, we were able to keep our perfect attendance!

This is Salt's favorite Aunt (Barbara Garnsey) with her grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Cameron (Chip's children). Unfortunately, Barb's eyes are closed, but I think the smile tells how much she was enjoying her quality time with her grandchildren.

Here is Emma with her teacher, Miss Berg. Emma told me she was getting married next week; when I asked her where, she said "oh I don't know out in the middle of nowhere...probably Texas". When I asked Miss Berg, she chuckled and said, "No...at Boldt Castle". I never can figure out where Emma comes up with her answers. Most kids would just say they didn't know, but not Emma...she never wants to be wrong! I wonder where all that came from?????

On the way home from breakfast we drove by Frank and Betty's new mailbox. Actually, it's not new...we gave it to them a few years ago for Christmas but they just got around to replacing their old one. Since Frank is a decoy carver, it didn't take people long to figure out who it belonged to.

Salt and I live right across the street from a Pizza Hut in Florida. We got hooked on their "stuffed crust pizza". Salt was having withdrawal the other day so we decided to see if we could come up with our own version. It was SO good...actually being homemade it was much better! If you want to try it, just lay mozzarella sticks (string cheese) all around the edges and roll it forward and tuck it. After the pizza is gone, dip the crust in Ranch dressing or Marinara sauce...yummmmmmy!!!

And yes, Shane, it's on the menu while you are on the island!!