We are most pleased
to announce the
arrival of Abigail
Gilpin Ellsworth, a.k.a. Boo.
Abby arrived on Monday, Jan.
18, 2010 at 8:13 p.m., weighing
in at six pounds, seven
ounces and measuring 19.25
inches in length. On hand for
her arrival were her mother
Annie, something which no
doubt goes without saying,
her father, Christopher, and
her maternal grandmother,
Judy Higby.
Christopher stayed at the
hospital with Annie and Abby
as he told us he just could
not be parted from the baby.
This left Grandmother Higby
to travel from the hospital
in Westerville, Ohio to the
house in Mount Vernon, Ohio
to care for the two dogs,
three cats, two goldfish and
two lizards. She also had to
take the cell phone chargers
from the house to the
hospital as the parents had
forgotten to take them with
them. Needless to say, the
cell phones rather quickly,
given their great use, lost
their charges.
We must admit that we
were delighted to have received
via the e-mail a cell
phone photo of Abby taken
and sent within an hour
of her birth. We have since
received three more photos
via e-mail and have viewed
13 more of the family’s
hospital stay via Facebook.
Plus we feel quite fortunate
that we are able to call Ohio
to arrange for an iChat visit
with Abby. Thus far she has
not had much to say, but
we do know, for her size, she
has a very loud voice and
doesn’t hesitate to use it to
express her displeasure with
something.
For example, during one
iChat visit, Christopher
unwrapped her to show us
her big feet something we
believe she inherited from
our side as many of our great
aunts, plus our mother, sported
a size 11 foot. After we had
admired the feet, Christopher
did not immediately wrap her
back up and it did not take
her long to express her dislike
of the temperature of her
unwrapped self. He immediately
re-wrapped her and she
quickly fell asleep in his arms.
We suspect she has already
figured out how to rule the
roost.
Abby did her first visiting
of friends on her way home
from the hospital by stopping
by Peg and Tom Turgeon’s
home so they could properly
admire her, which we
understand they did. And she
has also received a visit from
her maternal grandfather, Hal
Higby, who we gather, based
on the picture we received,
was more than happy to take
on baby holding duty.
And we were somewhat
relieved to discover that
the dogs, Barnaby and
Bella, seem to be adapting to
Abby’s presence quite well.
We gather they have not
quite figured her out, but
seem to follow her around
no doubt because of all the
attention she receives. And if
there is one thing we know
about Barnaby and Bella, it is
that, if there is attention being
handed out, they would
like to be on the receiving
end of it.
Many people have asked
us when we will be going to
Ohio for a visit and
unfortunately we
have to say that it
will probably not be
anytime soon. At the
moment, we need to
stay in Cooperstown
as we are having a
series of procedures
done on our back
which we need to
complete. And we
would really like to figure out what is going on with our right
hand before we venture forth again. So, for a while at least,
our visits with Abby will be done via iChat. And while we
are anxious to be able to see her in person, we are happy to
avoid the possibility, at least for a while, that we might find
ourselves in the position of having to change a diaper.
In closing, we well remember that when Christopher
arrived some 35 years ago, we could not help but wonder
what the future held for him. And while he has experienced
setbacks along the way, we are indeed most proud of not
only what he has done but also of who he is. Thus, as we
contemplate little Abby’s future we hope she takes to heart
the following quote from Harriet Tubman who said: ``Every
great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you
have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion
to reach for the stars to change the world.’’
PLEASE NOTE: Comments regarding this column may be made by mail at 105 Pioneer
Street, Cooperstown, NY 13326, by telephone at 607-547-8124 or by e-mail
at cellsworth1@stny.rr.com.
Columns
In These Otsego Hills: Welcome Boo...
- Columns
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
My handwriting’s always been an embarrassment. Way back in elementary school, while most of the others were developing a clear, sometimes graceful hand (especially the girls), my penmanship showed no improvement.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: This and that ...
We have found the weather so far this year to be on the unusual side. And while we have no problem with the fact that we have received very little snow, we are of the opinion that what we have had instead is not particularly to our liking either. In fact, we are very hesitant to venture out much as we live in fear that the rain will turn to mixed precipitation which will freeze into a sheet of ice. And we are definitely opposed to encountering a sheet of ice underfoot. In fact, we are so hesitant that we now have taken to canceling our participation in events based on what just might be a dubious forecast.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Feinstein’s latest is sheer enjoyment
Most people who follow sports have probably heard of John Feinstein. As a nationally known author, sportswriter, pundit and broadcaster, he has brought a unique angle to sports journalism. His groundbreaking book on Bobby Knight’s 1986-87 Indiana University basketball team, “A Season on the Brink,” still resonates today as an all-time classic.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: No Trekkie should miss Shatner’s books
It would be hard to find a television phenomenon as popular as “Star Trek.” Even though it was only on television for three seasons and 79 episodes (1966-69) it attracted viewers and devotees that still follow it passionately 45 years later. The fanatical supportspawned several movies and television spinoffs. Star Trek conventions continue to this day. There has never been anything like it.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Making sense of things
A book I have been reading investigates the various ways over time that we have made sense of the world. It carries the reader through to the present via several seminal classical texts and ultimately aims to suggest a strategy for “ finding meaning in a secular age.”
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: ‘Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist.’ − John Adams
Last week we were asked if we would be interested in previewing a documentary, “The Empire State Divide,”produced by the Foundation for Land & Liberty. And we were more than happy to do so as we understood the documentary dealt with the problems that continue to face family farms.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Now wait a minute!
On the ninth day of Christmas, driving down Cooperstown’s Eagle Street, I saw something astounding! No, not “nineladies dancing, eight maids a-milking, seven swans” etc. I saw one jogger jogging. And puffing on a cigarette.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Goals of the past and goals of the future
We have long subscribed to the concept that we are always more successful if we, number one, set a goal and then, number two, meet it. And this was our thinking when we decided before Christmas to watch at least part of every college football bowl game. It was perhaps an odd, if not completely nonsensical, goal.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Not to our liking ...
It is with sadness that we note the recent death of Steve Nagel. The son-inlaw of our late husband’s cousins, Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek, Steve was married to the Ecklers’ oldest daughter, Gail. We had the pleasure of spending Christmas Eve with the Nagels and the Ecklers in Fly Creek, greatly enjoying the delicious food and delightful conversation.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Of birds and faith
I watch birds quite a bit. Every five days or so I send in a report to Cornell as partof its annual Project Feeder Watch program. The data, collected from volunteers from all over the country, enables scientists to track population trends. I would spend quite a bit of time checking out the visitors to our feeders anyway. Participating in the feeder program makes a personal pleasure that much more meaningful. It is rare that aesthetical and scientific endeavors work in tandem.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Biography captures the real Stephen Colbert
It would be hard to find a comedian as unique as Stephen Colbert. As the host of “The Colbert Report” on Comedy Central he hasmanaged to leave his mark on the nation’s consciousness in both a serious and humorous sort of way. His unusual wit has allowed him to become American icon. It would be difficult to find another entertainer quite like him.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Christmas and varied blessings
I’m still astounded! The last farmers’ market before Christmas, I was sitting up front, directly under the ceiling heater, shmoozing with the hoi-polloi. (That’s an awkward linguistic mix,but let’s let it go.) As I sipped my hot coffee, a gloved hand came to rest on my shoulder and a warm voice said, “Merry Christmas, Jim.” I looked to my left—it was Santa Claus!
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Always a learning experience ...
We must admit that we thoroughly enjoyed our 2011 Christmas celebration. We partook of Christmas Eve dinner at the home of Alice and Harvey Eckler of Fly Creek and Christmas Day dinner at the home of Sandy and Al Bullard of Milford. We had our usual Christmas Day brunch at home on Pioneer Street, although we must admit it was a tad bit later than usual as, what we enjoyed most about Christmas, namely our granddaughter Abby, took a great deal of time opening her Christmas presents.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Coming up ... 2012
Difficult as it seems, 2011 is fast coming to an end. And it is always our hope that as a year draws to a close, the issues which have been in the forefront during the year will be resolved. Unfortunately, we suspect that will not be the case this year. Instead, we are fairly certain that many of the issues that plagued this year, will continue to plague next year. Thus we will find ourselves still musing about the same issues we have spent time with already. And while we have not come toany conclusions about many of the issues, we do think they would all likely benefit from both sides thinking critically about perspective, risk assessment and possible solutions.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Circularity
When she was a puppy my dog Gabby would run in what I described then as “circles of joy.” She celebrated her15th birthday a few weeks ago and despite the inevitable frailties that old age imposes upon all of us, she is doing pretty well.
Continued ... -
Book Notes: Grisham doesn’t disappoint
John Grisham is one of this country’s most popular authors. Every time he publishes a book it’s an instant best-seller. He appeared on the scene about 20 years ago with his tense legal thrillers, “A Time to Kill” and “The Firm,”and hasn’t stopped producing top-notch novels since.
Continued ... -
From Fly Creek: Still singing, beyond our hearing
This column from Christmas 2001 still speaks deeply to me, and perhaps will to you, too. Take it, please, as my Christmas gift.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: The 2011 Cooperstown Carol
Since 1984, with the exception of one year, 1999, we have looked forward at the end of the year to going through all the issues of the paper in order to glean those news items which have been worthy of note throughout the year and which should make their way into our annual Cooperstown Carol.
Continued ... -
In These Otsego Hills: Dear Santa ...
Although we tend to think Christmas is for children and thus rarely think about what we might like to have, this year we have decided to let Santa know what might be left under the tree with our name on it. Of course, we fully understand if our list is a bit long, a bit expensive and a bitlate. However, we have just finished reading our November issue of Health and so have just realized what we need that we do not currently have.
Continued ... -
Up on Hawthorn Hill: Irony abounds
These are querulous times. Dissent and disagreement, as uncomfortable as they sometimes are, are essential components of a viable democracy. Democracies are always messy because everyone has a right to speak his mind and because whenever a majority is able to gain the numerical upper hand it pretty much runs the show. Several political philosophers have written quite persuasively of what they characterize as the “tyranny of the majority.” Get enough people on your side and you have the opportunity to get your way so long as you are able to maintain power. I suspect that most thoughtful people would agree that wisdom is hard to come by.
Continued ...
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
