MAY 2025
Mom’s 95th birthday bash was a huge success!
As family members filed into the Locker Room Bar & Grill, I asked her what she was thinking. She said, “I can’t believe how big our family is!” Seeing everyone in the same room is a rare occasion which we hope to do more frequently in the future.
Niece Michelle brought a ring light allowing us to take pictures in a bright, cascading light illuminating the subjects:
Mom and daughters:
Mom and grandchildren:
Mom and great grandkids:
Terri and Jim’s visit came to a close much too early for all of us. They used our motorhome which was set up in the front yard as their living quarters, making it an easy commute after cocktail hours. 🤣 They were able to visit with sisters and Mom while regularly breaking bread with us, which we all do so well. Forgot to get a picture of the food, but this is what was left!
It is always hard to say goodbye, but this time is without a clear plan in sight for the next visit. 🥹 Time will tell.
Perry’s birthday on Mother’s Day was a fun day. This year it actually fell on Mother’s Day. There were 14 of us at Mi Rancho Mexican Restaurant in S. Glens Falls. The food was terrific and when they found out it was his birthday, they brought out the big sombrero and a shot of tequilla with traditional lime and salt. He knew exactly what to do too.
We went back to his house for homemade from scratch chocolate cake and ice cream which young Nora provided. After that we went to Whitehall to spend the night. In the morning, we went over to Rich's sister, Eileen’s, in Queensbury so she could pick out cards from the racks we brought with us.
The doorbell rang, and this time it was cousin David stopping by to visit, knowing that we were there. We didn’t see him at all last summer, so he looked a lot healthier this time since he is walking 5-6 miles four times a week to stay in shape.
Then a light lunch at Sally’s Hen House
We went back to Whitehall to help Nora with clearing a lot of items out of the house to share with the appropriate family members. We got a lot done inside and outside of the house. Stayed over one more night to work on the lawn, etc.
Thankfully, the weather was good so I was able to get a walk in each day. Whitehall is a town much like Lee - small town, everyone has nicknames, historical setting… there used to be 22 bars, 3 supermarkets, a fire station, a police department, numerous restaurants, and a gas station on every corner. But now most of the store fronts are vacant, there is no supermarket at all. There is one Stewarts Convenience Store, 2 funeral homes, an American Legion, an Elks Lodge, and a lot of dilapidated buildings amongst the gorgeous historic sites. Observations during my walks...
Lee may be Gateway to the Berkshires, but Whitehall is the Gateway to the New York State Canal System. Lock 12 is still operational.
Whitehall is also the Birthplace of the United Sates Navy.
Whitehall was originally named Skenesborough, divided in two by the Champlain Canal which connects the Hudson River to Lake Champlain for commercial and strategic transportation. This little log cabin sits on the edge of the canal alongside the lumber yard.
This spacious venue also sits on the water, but is rarely used. There are charcoal grills on a pole anywhere there is a bench in Riverside Park.
Skene Manor sits high on the thickly wooded hill looking down on the township. This is where we are going in June for John and Eileen’s 60th Wedding Anniversary after party - can’t wait.
French Catholic Church that Rich attended as a child.
The Armory, which we can see from the den of Rich’s house, is rarely used for gatherings anymore.
Love this house across the street which Rich’s parents lived in at one time.
Nora, Rich’s granddaughter, graduated from Hobart University in Geneva, NY. Rich went over in the motorhome to stay at a KOA for 2 nights. The 3-hour ceremony was at 9am - thankfully, her last name starts with a B so someone can scoot out after she receives her diploma.
Proud Grampa💕
Proud Mama💕
Jimmy’s Celebration of Life was held at the Knox Trail Inn - it was truly amazing! He would be so proud of his family for all they did to make it so memorable. The anecdotes told by his 3 sons-in-law made you laugh, cry and then pause to take it all in. The common theme was “life lessons,” “Jimmy jokes,” and how he always referred to my sister as his “bride."
Trip to open camp in Raymond, Maine was successful. Sister Leslie and Johan, and my son-in-law, Dave, made the 4-hour trek to get it done. As my generation is getting to an age that prohibits us from doing the heavy lifting, we are happy to have help from the next generation. Amazing how the benches and boats all seem heavier every year. Dave certainly pulled his weight and we fed him (and ourselves) well. Leslie tends to “feed the world” and never disappoints with her homemade cookies, carrot cake, and then bought a delicious berry pie at a local market while there. It was in the 40’s and very windy the first day, but on day 2 it let up a little and the sun came out to warm things up. Thankfully there was little to no rain which was our biggest concern. Last Fall, Dave stained all of the decks. This trip he power washed and stained the docks and float, then power washed the boats.
1st Lee Farmers Market 2025 was a miserable, yucky, windy day and Rich still set up at 7am. I walked down in the misty rain at 8:30 and helped finish up. We were so happy to see Snack Attack Richy there ready to sell his hot dogs, burgers, nuggets and sausage. He was in a terrible accident last Fall, but has fully recovered by the grace of God. He added a new item to his menu - homemade chili and it was really delicious. He puts a good amount of cheese on top and a stick of Vienna bread to finish it off. He also insists on providing us with coffee and donuts each market AND we tested the chili. I don’t know how we are going to keep the weight off this summer!
The crowd was lighter than usual due to the weather conditions, but we still had a stellar sales day. That is very refreshing...
Memorial Day weekend was cold and wet. Sunday we drove the motorhome to the Poconos in Pennsylvania to set up for Nora to use this summer. She is starting a traveling nurse job in Binghamton for 14 weeks, so she found a really nice KOA an hour away. The ride was long, but beautiful - just spitting rain and highlighting the gorgeous greens of the forest of trees.
Nora and Matty…
Pool is Opened. It has been open for a few days so Zachary earned the title of “First One in the Pool 2025.” I think it was a shock to his system as he scurried out and ran around the yard in a split second.
BUB (Berkshire Ukulele Band) has sessions Tuesday evenings and I was determined to check it out. It takes 15 minutes to get there and I wish it was in the afternoon, but… it was a nice group of about 12 players/singers, with an additional guitar and harmonica player. When we did introductions, Steffi was very excited about having just returned from Sarasota, FL where a uke group, The Sun Coast Sand Fleas, plays every Monday at 10am on the beach and about 100 attend! This is terrific news for when we go south in November for the winter.
Rich got creative again. All of the tools, supplies, paints, brushes, saws, sanders, nut and bolts came out to create Ship Wrecked...
Keeping in touch - I am happy to have had phone conversations with Wyoming Cindy and Montana Nancy 💕
Regarding my attempt to lose weight and walk daily, a few things interrupted my streak, but I am determined to keep the weight the same or less than when we got home… It ain’t easy!!
