At the end of each year
we tend to become somewhat
reflective about the
previous twelve months,
making note of those events
which we hope to see repeated
in the year ahead.
This year, however, we are
making note of those 2009
events which we hope to
not see repeated in 2010.
For example, we would
prefer that 2010 present us
with better weather. To say
that the weather in 2009
was not to our liking would
be an understatement. In
fact, for whatever bizarre
reason, we think November’s
weather was the best
of the year. And that would
seem to be a sad state of affairs.
We also hope that 2010
does not find us in complete
melt down when it come to
writing this column. In
2009 we missed penning a
piece for six weeks, namely
May 13, 21and 28 as well
as June 4, 11 and 18. And
we have to say we can’t decide
who missed the column
the most, our readers who
missed reading it or us who
missed writing it. We have
great hopes that we will be
better able to stay on top of
things in 2010. And, of
course, we are indeed upset
with ourselves in that by
not writing the column for
six weeks, we ruined an extremely
long record of not
missing a week in more
years than we care to admit.
And we sincerely hope
that we do not lose so many
dear friends in 2010 as we
did in 2009. Our life is poorer
for having lost Donny
Reed, Dorothy Chase and
Bill Hermann. We will find
it hard to ever replace much
of the carpeting in our
home. We will miss the
weekly lunches. And we
will most certainly miss the
e-mails and not, we might
add, just the ones with all
the jokes that we can’t
share in this column.
We will also miss the
ones with bits of history
such as the one we came
across when cleaning up
our inbox. In talking about
the expression ``Go Fly a
Kite,’’ it read, in part, ``The
origin of this expression is
believed to have originated
with the people trying to
construct a bridge across
the river at Niagara Falls
where the current is very
swift and dangerous. Issue
— How to get a cable across
that river. One man figured
out how. He thought, if you
could get a string across, a
rope then a cable could follow.
So he flew a kite across
the river! It worked!! Then
followed the expression.
``How do you get a cable
across Niagara Falls? Go
fly a kite!’’
Also on our list is an inpatient
stay at Bassett and
finding ourselves unable to
drive because of a drop foot.
Both of these items are definitely
on our never to do
again list as is not having
water flowing through our
basement in a matter akin
to Niagara Falls.
We would also like to
spend less time wondering
what all the various posts
on Facebook really mean.
We spent much too much
time musing about the one
which read: ``On my way to
the Phillies Game last night
(which they lost!), I was behind
a 12’ box truck from
Delilah’s Gentlemans’ Club.
Why does a strip club need
a truck? And we also hope,
as we peruse Facebook, to
be able to ignore what we
consider to be slaps against
something near and dear to
us, such as Upper Pioneer
Street.
But, the 2009 event
which we most hope we will
not repeat in 2010 was
turning the unthinkable
age of 62. For some reason
62 really bothered us. It
seemed as if we were now
older than dirt which we
must suppose is not terribly
comforting to those 63
and over. We can not ever
remember dreading a birthday
more. It simply did not
seem possible as we still
think of ourselves as being
youthful, if not childish by
spells. Mentally we are
stuck at 29, an illusion
which we must admit evaporates
when we move. Unfortunately,
we can no longer
convince ourselves that
we are physically 29, or
even 39, 49 or 59. When it
comes to moving, we think
we are probably closer to
109. It is indeed a dichotomy.
And it is a dichotomy
that we suspect we will, unfortunately,
continue to encounter
in 2010
In closing, as we head
full speed into the new
year, we would like to
share, as our quote of the
week, something we received
in an e-mail this past
year from a dear friend. It
is something which we most
definitely wish to carry over
into 2010. Unfortunately,
we do not know the author
who wrote: ``May today
there be peace within. May
you trust that you are exactly
where you are meant
to be. May you not forget
the infinite possibilities
that are born of faith in
yourself and others. May
you use the gifts that you
have received, and pass on
the love that has been given
to you. May you be content
with yourself just the way
you are. Let this knowledge
settle into your bones, and
allow your soul the freedom
to sing, dance, praise and
love. It is there for each and
every one of us.’’ As we head
into 2010, we thank the author
for writing and our
friend for sharing this
week’s quote.
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: Events not to be repeated
- 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.”
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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From Fly Creek: Cheers for the Blue Rabbit!
