Last Hurrah of Summer

Here I am sitting in an upstairs storefront building looking out at the Adirondack Mountains and Lake Champlain. If I look down Broad Street in Port Henry I can see Saint Patrick's Church. This morning, my husband Jim and my son James attended a funeral. We wanted to attend Mass and this was a viable option. God rest Skip Belden. Forgive me Skip as I do not feel that I was dressed appropriately. I was wearing a T-shirt with 'The Phantom of the Opera". It looks like the grim reaper. However, when his granddaughter got up and spoke of how her grandfather took her to her first Broadway play, I felt better. You see, it was 'The Phantom of the Opera'. I wish I could have known you. Father Houser celebrated a beautiful Mass.

Before Mass, Jim walked down to the shoreline. He could see the new Crown Point Bridge which is in the footprint of the original one which my paternal grandmother christened. Funny how we are all connected.

After Mass, we went to Stewart's, Jim's favorite haunt, and picked up some eggs and milk. I told Jim that later we should come back and get that Philly Vanilla which is on sale. I brought some hot fudge sauce with me and we can have sundaes. We came back to our charming abode and had breakfast al fresco. There is an upstairs front porch which looks out over the small town. The view of the old building tops are very much yesteryear. The Post Office is across the street. The 'Hometown Hero' banners are displayed proudly on the posts. It is raining lightly. Gilbo's old store is below and what used to be Sagan's store is on Main Street. My Uncle H.G. used to buy his 'Red Wing' shoes at Sagan's. I met Mr. Sagan when I was a candy striper at Moses Ludington Hospital in Ticonderoga almost fifty years ago! He was a very nice man.

I have been admiring the new bronze monument of a miner on Main Street. I must get a picture of it.

We got in late to this old mining town - it was almost one in the morning. We picked up my 90-year old Aunt in New Hartford, New York. She broke her shoulder recently. We took her to our hometown of Ticonderoga where another of my aunt's will help her with physical therapy.

We came up for one of my nephew's wedding tomorrow. It is at a very nice venue which is a barn called Edgeworth's. Barns are the new way to go for weddings.

Yesterday I made 'Utica Greens' for my Aunt to bring to "Ti" for my cousins Michael and Stephen. Their father was from Port Henry. I was very pleased with the way the greens turned out. Earlier in the day I went to the Farmer's Market in Clinton. I got some fresh, organic escarole and cherry peppers to make this favorite dish.

Was hoping to bring my 92-year-old mother here for a repast. She is content to stay put on this cloudy day. Can't say as though I blame her. We may have those sundaes at the big house instead of here. The big house is in "Ti" (Ticonderoga). Who knows, may even go to the Hancock House to the movie they are featuring tonight - something about the golden girls of the 1930's.

Well, I am happy to have this day as it is a lazy day of summer. Jim is relaxing. He brought his guitar and James is happy as a clam as is his nature.

Now I will go out for a walk.