Day 512: Annual Cemetery Pilgrimage

We were trying to determine how many generations of Cobbs are buried at Forest Hill Cemetery.  Perhaps seven or eight, since the family has been in Fredonia since 1821.  As we tended the graves of several generations, Mary noted that most of them had died before she was born.  She and Steve traded stories about each grandparent's quirks.   We couldn't help wondering if there will be any family members left in town to tend our graves.  The three of us have been weeding, trimming and planting flowers ever since she moved back from NYC 15 years ago.  Before that, we went with Steve's parents.  It's been a family ritual since I married into the family nearly 42 years ago.   As the kids grew, we took them along and taught them the family history.  My parents are buried nearby, too, as well as an uncle.  But, I don't know exactly where my grandparents are.  Dad's parents are in Tobyhanna, Pa., I think.  Mom's father is in NJ somewhere and I don't know where her mom is buried.  Sounds like I have a mission ahead.

Mary tending her parents' graves

Betty Hall Cobb and Marden Cobb

James and Claire Purcell

Power washing the deck

We spent much of  the day power washing outdoor furniture and the back decks.  The benches need paint and we'll have to use wood preservative on the decks.  The front porch and steps also must be cleaned and treated.
33 days left!

Day 511: Ladies of Farrington Hollow

Last week on Friday when we were hiking along Farrington Hollow Rd. on our way to Dibble Hill, the cows that normally greet us were in the barn being milked.  I like to capture them on video because they are always so curious about us.  The owner of the farm has invited the kids to stop and watch the milking process.  It would be so educational for them to observe the milking since most probably have never seen cows milked.  We'll consider it next year, but we would have to get up even earlier if we have any hope to get to Arkwright Falls.

The Ladies of Farrington Hollow Rd.

We traveled to the 10th annual Amish Relief Auction in Cherry Creek.  Every year, they hold an auction to raise funds to pay their medical bills.  For us, the highlights are the food and the hand sewn quilts.  I bid on one of the traditional Amish patterns, the Light and Shadow, but it went a bit too high.  There were so many beautiful quilts, but I prefer the geometrics with intense colors.  Mary has purchased several quilts over the years as gifts, but this year she bought one of the signed and dated quilts to try to sell on e-bay.  Unfortunately,  the Amish do not want to be photographed, so we have to settle for the cows.

Willie's garden is now finished.  Willie the nurse cat was my most beloved cat.  He seemed to sense when anyone in the family was ill and would stay close by till they were well again. When my father was dying, he never left my side and slept at my feet each night.  Just a few months after Dad died, Willie died too.  We buried him close in the garden where he loved to nap.   I divided and transplanted a dozen hostas and lilies to fill in the empty spaces and then Steve spread the mulch.  We still have to finish Puddles' garden, the bird bath garden,  the stone wall garden and the entire property line.  Only 34 days left!

Willie's garden

Day 510: Clean counters

Last Friday night we celebrated completing a twelve mile hike with a joyous dip in a cooling pool in Canadaway Creek, a scrumptious meal of mac and cheese and a hilarious talent show.  Tonight is very different, but still a pleasure.  I spent a couple hours cleaning the kitchen counters and sink, polishing the granite and stove till they shone.  It's taken nearly a week to clean up from Quest and there's still more to do, but at least the counters and dining table are clear!

Then, we went to see the new Star Trek movie, Into the Darkness.  Khan was back!  It was the back story for The Wrath of Khan.  The new crew of actors are such fun, really caricatures of the original cast.  I like the young Jim Kirk and the twist in the movie was amusing.

We're going with Mary to the Amish Relief Auction tomorrow morning.   The hand made quilts are so beautiful and tempting, but with no beds left to cover, I can walk away. However, the donuts and barbecue are much harder to resist.

I finished updating the entry for May 15 on the first day of Quest.  Three more to go.

Day 509: Azaleas

We worked for hours edging, weeding and mulching the crescent garden and Willie's garden.  There are so many inside tasks to complete, but I prefer the outside jobs, even when it's raining.  Our azaleas are gorgeous, but can't compare to Rachel's.  Her entire backyard was lit up by the vibrant pink azaleas, purple rhododendron and iris.  

Day 508: Citizen heroes

The Chautauqua County Fire Chiefs' Association holds a banquet each spring and presents citizens and firemen with awards for the bravery and dedication.  I am always awed by the actions of the honored guests and by the devotion of these firemen and women to their communities.  

Four firemen from Stockton were honored for saving an elderly man and his wife when their car was caught by flood waters covering a roadway.  They pulled both to safety before the car was swept away by the rushing current.

We sat across from a couple who lived in apartment building in Westfield that caught on fire.  They were able to escape and then the man helped a policeman pull an elderly man out of the burning building.  Neither were wearing any protective gear yet they risked their lives in intense heat and smoke.  All the families in the building lost everything, but  they considered  themselves fortunate that they survived.

More astonishing yet was the story of a 16 year old young man who saved his family when their home exploded because of a gas leak.    Last July, a family of four was at home when suddenly their home was rocked by an explosion.  The young man helped his mother and little brother escape then went back after his father who was buried under cupboards and debris.  Just after he removed his father from their home, another explosion leveled  the house.  A week later, they found that he had three compressed discs and a fractured vertebrae.

They also honored two EMS providers, Mike Przybycien and Mike Valvo who taught in Fredonia's EMT program for 35 and 40 years respectively.

Finally, they gave a tremendous tribute to Charlie Smith of Lakewood who was retiring after forty years of service in various roles throughout the county fire service.   Charlie handled the attention with modesty and humility and each speaker treated him with great respect.

I know that one day soon Steve will be in the same position.  He speaks of retiring, but I don't think he can give it up.

Chautauqua County Fire Coordinators

Steve with Mike and Mike

Day 507: White iris

It was a steamy hot day and the pool got up to 73!  What a delight to swim and garden again.  When we met Amy tonight, she said that everyone was miserable and cranky at school.  Those days were so difficult and I feel sorry that they are trapped inside.  I transplanted many lilies and hostas and Steve finished putting down mulch on the the back deck garden.

Tomorrow is the Memorial Day Program and she was busy preparing her speech.  We prepped the flowers and the memorial bench, but no one really knows what they represent.  We have agreed that we will get two plaques made, one for Phil Witkowski and one for Jon Gollnitz to install on the bench.  Then we'll meet with the new student council in September and outline how they can take over the care and maintenance of the memorial.  It's time they took ownership like they have of the program.

The police chief delivered the last tent to our house tonight while we were watching tv, me in pjs and Steve in underwear.  Only the poles to that tent are missing and we hope to get those in the morning.  When we delivered the packs to the store room, the entire area was blocked by athletic equipment again.  Thank you notes are the next item on the agenda.

Back deck garden

Day 506: Oklahoma City Tornado

Another devastating natural disaster has struck.  An F5 tornado two miles wide moved across many miles in a suburb of Oklahoma City for over an hour.  It hit two elementary schools, a hospital and smaller stores.  Several children have been killed or are missing.  The scenes are horrific and I can't bear the thought of small children hurt and afraid, trapped under the rubble.

Steve was out at emergencies most of the day.  A house exploded in Westfield, probably due to a gas leak.  Fortunately, there was no one home.  Then this afternoon, dispatch called six departments to a field fire in Hanover Center.  It turned out to be an illegal landfill.  A farmer let a contractor dump construction debris on his property and then it caught fire.  Dangerous chemicals can be released from burning materials and the heat also puts the firemen at risk so it requires the rehab team to be on scene to care for them.  Then he went to a fire meeting this evening and he finished off the night with hose test.  All the while, I was absorbed by gardening and swimming.  It makes me feel ashamed for doing nothing while others are in trouble, but what can I do?

I went to school to collect the rest of the backpacks and tents, but only one student brought in his pack.  We'll go back tomorrow and hope that we can put this year's Quest to rest.

White azalea

  Columbine