The next meeting of the
Literary Discussion Group,
sponsored by the Women’s
Club of Cooperstown, will
be held on Thursday, Dec.
17 at 2:30 p.m. in the Village
of Cooperstown Library.
The program for the
meeting will be ``Quote Me:
a sharing of favorite
quotes.’’ The meeting is
open to the public.
Sometime back in November
we decided that our
e-mail inbox was in serious
trouble in that it contained
over four hundred e-mails.
Now we will willingly admit
that we have an inclination
to be somewhat of a
pack rat. In fact, we always
find it difficult to throw
something away just in
case we might actually need
it some day. But we did decide
that we needed to weed
out and, heaven forbid, delete
some of the e-mails.
Thus far we have managed
to whittle the list
down to a mere two hundred
or so in the inbox. Of
course, we must admit that
a fair number were saved
in other mail boxes which
we have created such as
CCE and AHH, CCS9, CLE,
E-mail jokes and cards,
Health care, History, INBOX
II, ITOH, Pictures,
Quilting, Sad but true, Village
of Cooperstown and so
forth. So, how much progress
we have really made is
probably open to debate.
Nonetheless, we did discover
some rather interesting
e-mails all of which contained
links to websites,
which provided all sorts of
interesting opportunities
and information. Two of
these, which we call ``Place
the States’’ at http://www.
sheppardsoftware.com/
states—experiment—dragdrop—
Intermed—
State15s—500.html and
``Know the Presidents’’ at
http://videos.komando.
com/2009/01/20/the-uspresidents/,
can definitely
be classified as educational.
And while ``Know the Presidents’’
is simply informative,
``Place the States’’ is a
challenging exercise in putting
all fifty states in their
proper location on a map of
the United States.
Another site, the ``Birthday
Calendar’’ at http://
www.paulsadowski.com/
birthday.asp, ``...tells you
how many hours and how
many seconds you have
been alive on this earth and
when you were probably
conceived.
Then check out your
name. This is more info
than you ever knew about
yourself. After you’ve finished
reading the info, click
again, and see what the
moon looked like the nite
you were born.’’áAnd although
we found this particular
site fascinating, we
think it is perhaps not a
good sign that we share a
birthday with Mary Queen
of Scots.
We also enjoyed ``Roaming
Through Michigan,’’ a
MGM ``Traveltalks’’ movie
short featuring James A.
FitzPatrick, ``The Voice of
the Globe.’’
This gem, which can be
found at http://www.youtube.
com/
watch?v=QMR7veI78f8, is
a fabulous travelogue of
parts of Michigan as we remember
them from our
childhood. And while this
particular website might be
of more interest to those of
us from Michigan, we do
think it is an excellent example
of its genre.
We must hasten to point
out that getting rid of emails
is not our only cleaning
out goal. We are also
trying to weed out stuff in
the house that we have accumulated
over the years.
To this end, we decided, for
what we think is the first
time ever, to ``shop’’ on
Black Friday. Of course we
did our shopping in the
house, picking out a number
of items suitable, from
our perspective at least, for
Christmas giving to the
Ellsworth Ohio contingency.
And we have to say we
had a great deal of fun doing
it.
In fact, we found things
we had quite forgotten we
had. And we can but hope
that the Ohio Ellsworths
will enjoy them as much as,
if not more than, we have.
Of course, giving away
items from the house is not
limited to Christmas giving.
In fact we recently gave
away a 1986 Bicentennial
plate with the bicentennial
logo on it to a friend who, of
course, asked the proverbial
question as to the exact
meaning of the logo.
Fortunately we were
able to dig in our files,
which we note resemble our
inbox and house in many
ways, and find the explanation
of the bicentennial logo
which we wrote back in
1985. During our search for
the logo information we
also found the following
items in our then column,
``Where Nature Smiles.’’
On Sept. 4, 1985 we
wrote: ``...of all the stories
related to us about the
many questions put forth
by visitors to the village,
our favorite has to be the
one heard recently about a
tourist who after lamenting
the water shortage crisis in
New York City inquired,
``How, when it is so dry, do
you keep Otsego Lake full?’’
How indeed.’’ This was followed
on Sept. 11, 1985
with ``Due to the recent rain
fall, the Keep Otsego Lake
Full Bucket Brigade meeting
has been postponed one
week. Time and place remain
the same.’’ At a recent
gathering we shared these
two items with fellow columnist
Jim Atwell who
asked why we had not
pointed out that the buckets
for the Bucket Brigade
were to be filled from various
water taps about the
village. It was an observation
we can only wish had
been ours.
In closing, as we contemplate
reducing the clutter
in which we find ourselves,
we are reminded of a quote
by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
which comes from her book
``Gift From the Sea.’’ She
points out, quite correctly
we think, that ``For the
most part, we, who could
choose simplicity, choose
complication.’’ It is a sentiment
found on a plaque
that we have long had in
our kitchen. It quite clearly
states: ``There is no job too
simple for our staff to complicate.’’
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: Cleaning out the house and computer
- Columns
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
It is with sadness that we note the passing of long time friend, and distantrelative, Jane Patrick. Over the years we have worked with Jane in a number of organizations including Women’s Club and the Community Advisory Committee at Bassett. And, of course, in later years we joined her, along with the other Dinner Belles, for any number of delicious meals. But we do think that our favorite memory that we shared with Jane was when we discovered, having both married Cooperstown natives, that we shared Cooperstown Christmas plans.
Continued ... -
Up On Hawthorn Hill: Bird Feeder?
Bird feeder is a relative term. At least that is the case around here. A few mornings ago we spotted the first rabbit to visit the feeders. Normally, all we see during the winter are rabbit tracks crisscrossing the gardens.
Continued ... -
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 ...
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In These Otsego Hills: The losses are adding up ...
