These Days

• Political schemes occupy my mind with two weeks left until the special election here in the 23rd Congressional district. I'm working with my son to get the word out - the Republican candidate is decidedly liberal and a true conservative needs to be forewarned. Do not simply vote Republican! Don't do it! Dede Scozzafava is not what she may appear (not because she has wrongly implied otherwise - the fault is in assumption by many who think that all Republicans are equal.) Vote Doug Hoffman if you want true conservatism!
  

• Apples galore fill my kitchen, but the yard work demands attention while the sun yet shines. Add to that a husband who needs winter clothes located and hung, and summer wardrobes tucked away for another season. Too much to do to get to the apples quite yet. They will wait a bit longer -- they will have to!

• Family by the numbers are planning to join us for Thanksgiving! I am excited beyond measure at the thought - Rick's two sisters and a brother with their families in tow will round out our table this year. Cousins playing games, grown men setting up tournaments of X-box tennis, ladies chatting and watching babes and discussing movies, and, of course, plenty of turkey with all the trimmings. These folks love good food and fun!

• My dear friend up the street is living in perpetual construction these days with heavy equipment hauling dirt, pushing down buildings, tearing up concrete. Well, not to be outdone, today my neighbor began a mini-construction project right here at 1942. Upon noticing the many cars parked out front morning, noon, and night week after week, month after month, and now, year after year, he volunteered his backhoe and ordered stone which will arrive tomorrow. Why? He was just plain tired of seeing cars stuck in mud as the yard turned from sod to mucky mire every spring and fall. He is so kind and very supportive of our efforts to reach out to young people here in the North Country! Thanks, Bruce!

• Carina and I spent time this morning reviewing childrens' musicals for a Christmas Junior Church production. Yup, it's that time of year... already!

• Our lunchtime often includes Mom reading aloud from a novel. We are reading A Tree Grows In Brooklyn. This story is a great follow up to our last reading, Maggie - A Girl of the Street. Both books are set in turn-or-the-century NYC following tenement families in immigrant neighborhoods. Very fascinating. We may just have to follow this up with another trip to the Tenement Museum! Love that place!

• Immediately following church yesterday I piled into our 7 passenger minivan with eight young ladies and we heading to Lake Placid for an afternoon of shopping. We bought sweaters by the carload, purchased one designer dress, giggled and told stories, critiqued worship albums (is that even allowed?), enjoyed Starbucks, ate burgers at a lakeside bar and grill (is that even allowed?), walked briskly to avoid the chilly temps nipping our noses, missed a turn so went through Malone, and had SO MUCH FUN! Thanks, girls!