We note that this Sunday,
Dec. 20 will be the last
opportunity to partake of
the Alternative Market
held at the Presbyterian
Church from noon until 1
p.m.
The market features
Habitat for Humanity,
Heifer International, Blankets
for Church World Services,
Hand Crafts for Justice
and handmade items
including, among other
things, baby quilts, wall
hanging, placemats, table
toppers and aprons.
The Market is open to
the public and is, we think,
a great place to finish up
one’s Christmas shopping.
Although we do from
time to time think e-mail
can be absolutely annoying,
one of the things we
truly enjoy about e-mail is
how successful it is in
keeping us in touch with
people.
So we are always delighted
to discover when
we open our e-mail that
there is a missive from one
of those friends from whom
we have not heard for a
while.
And such was the case
when we found an e-mail
from Bob Hart who, many
years ago, covered for the
Cooperstown Veterinary
Clinic and had occasion to
treat our then dog Boeling.
Bob and his wife, Ronnie,
now reside in Florida
where they still do a lot of
theater work as well as a
lot of writing.
In fact, one of Ronnie’s
novels won first place in
the Florida Writers Association
annual competition
this year and is now in the
hands of an agent.
Plus Bob informed us
that: ``After many publishing
delays I can finally announce
the arrival of
``Hart’s Original Petpourri
Vol 1 Miscellany.’’
The anticipated delivery
date is Dec. 15. It has
been endorsed by Jack
Hanna, Director Emeritus,
Columbus Zoo Host, TV’s
``Into the Wild,’’ and Vic
Digenti, author of the
``Windrusher Trilogy.’’
The book will be available
from Barnes and Noble,
Amazon, and probably
other bookstores as it will
be listed in the principal
wholesale catalogues.’’
The book, which is billed
as ``Fact, Fancy, Trivia,
and Whimsy about Pets,
their Veterinarians, and
their Owners,’’ is also
available from Bob’s website:
Originaldrhart.com. He
further notes: ``We are now
accepting advance orders.
áIf you would like your
book autographed, please
purchase it from my website.’’
We thank Bob for
writing and wish them
both well with the new
book endeavor.
For the past two weekends,
the Ohio Ellsworths
have attended baby classes
in anticipation of Boo’s
January arrival.
The first weekend, the
classes covered labor and
delivery, which they immediately
subtitled ``What
Have We Done?’’
The following weekend
the classes covered the
first three months, which
received the subtitle ``You’ll
Never Sleep Again!’’
We understand the
classes went well and
Christopher even told us
he encountered no difficulty
in getting the diaper on
the practice doll.
We, of course, delighted
in pointing out to him that,
unlike the baby, the doll
didn’t wiggle. But then, we
suspect that Christopher
can always use the technique
that his father used
the few times he actually
changed a diaper.
When Jerry couldn’t get
Christopher to hold still,
he simply yelled at him,
scaring him so that the
only muscles he moved
were the ones needed to
cry.
From Jerry’s point of
view, this worked particularly
well as, not only could
he get the diaper changed,
we moved heaven and
earth to make certain that
Jerry changed a diaper as
infrequently as possible.
Hopefully, it is not a technique
that Christopher
will employ. Annie take
note!
We must admit that we
were forced, much against
our will, to celebrate yet
another birthday recently.
Normally, our birthdays do
not tend to bother us. But
this year seemed to be different
and we really don’t
know why.
We just turned 29 again
as we have for years now.
But, of course, while we
received a number of lovely
cards, we also received several
that we tend to assign
to the ``they know us too
well’’ category.
One such card came
from our friends at the Otsego
County Senior Meal
Site here in Cooperstown.
It read: ``Happy Birthday
to a great Ring Leader
Rabble Rouser!’’
We were stunned. How
on earth could they possibly
imagine that we, sweet
and docile as we are, could
be thought of as a ``Ring
Leader’’ let alone a ``Rabble
Rouser.’’ Of course, we
must admit that the card
we received from the Ohio
Ellsworths was equally
questionable. The
front of that card read:
``I used to live each day as
if it were my last, but people
got tired of me screaming,
`I’m Going to Die!! I’m
Going to Die!!’’’
Inside it said: ``It’s your
birthday. Be as dramatic
as you want.’’ What were
they thinking? When have
we ever been dramatic?
Ah, yes...they all know us
all too well.
This week’s quote, in
light of our recent birthday,
comes from George
Burns who said: ``If you
live to be one hundred,
you’ve got it made. Very
few people die past that
age.’’
We guess this means we
have to be 29 about 38
more times before we will
have it made.
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: Of books and babies and birthdays...
- 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 ...
