North Norway

NORTH NORWAY — My computer just came out with the statement that it had encountered an unknown problem. I suspect I am the problem but let’s see what transpires.

If I type a whole column and it won’t send, it will ruin my day to say the least. Sometimes I long for my old Underwood typewriter. It was no smarter than I am and I could bang away on it without any backtalk.

We had to give in and turn up the heat the last couple of mornings. Just one zone, the kitchen and living room. So this computer room isn’t exactly toasty and I have a sweater on and wish I could wear gloves and type.

When it gets really cold I have a space heater I use in here but am too tight to use it yet.

Dell, bless his heart, is out getting the weekly groceries. He is getting really good at it and saves us money. Yesterday we went out and did some errands and I went into the library to get some light reading.

It irks me no end when I get a book by a favorite author and he/she starts injecting her political or environmental views into the story. I am reading to get away from all the drivel we are being exposed to that I can do nothing about except vote my conscience.

No I am not going to tell you how to vote or start a political column. If anything sneaks in blame my fingers, not my brain.

Mary, Pat, Paula and myself went to Maurice’s this week to have lunch to celebrate my birthday – belatedly as usual. We can never find time when all of us are free unless we plan way ahead.

Why don’t we do that? Because we are retired and like to go with the flow. We have enough scheduled appointments as it is. Dr. and Mrs. Harper were at Maurice’s having lunch.

They are still young at heart and it is a pleasure to see them. Paula drove us in her “limo” so we felt really special. She and Dana are pretty busy and Paula is packing up to go to the Common Ground fair this weekend.

They are staying in their fifth wheel and eating some meals at Dyson’s Truck Stop, a favorite of all of us. The cats are going with them and they expect to hear a lot of complaints during the ride.

Once they arrive, the cats settle in nicely and they complain even worse if they are left at home. Our cat insisted on going out on the screened in porch while I was at breakfast.

She decided she wanted back inside fast enough when she felt the temperature out there. She would like a doorman who would let her in and out on demand.

She already has a valet who cleans her litter box every time she uses it and a chef who warms her cat food for her. She needs to win the lottery so she can hire a staff.

A whole flock of robins are out back eating the red berries from the bushes, which means they will be migrating soon. I have no idea what the bushes are but they are invasive as they have spread all around the edge of the back lawn.

So far we haven’t had a frost but I expect it won’t be long. Then we will lose our hanging baskets that have been so pretty this year. I always think of bringing them into the sun room but they are messy indoors.

Haven’t the flowers on the corner opposite the Legion Hall been nice this year. The lady who takes care of that plot does an excellent job. I have only seen a lady there. If there are others they are all doing a service to the community.

We have had no young turkeys around this summer. Don’t think they survived the wet weather this spring. Consequently the bear and the deer will have more to eat this fall without so much competition.

We can hardly go out in the drive without getting hit on the noggin by an acorn. The squirrels bury the acorns all over, especially in our gardens and we will be pulling up little oak trees next summer. I wonder if squirrels ever remember where they bury anything.

Or how they think they could get to them through the snowpack. I suppose I am endowing them with the power of thought and it must really be instinct.

We had a committee meeting to work on the details of the AARP drive to fill the food pantry shelves. The Rotarians are going to join our endeavor which is a big help. This is a community endeavor and we hope you all will do your part and donate food on October 13.

The drive will take place between 1 and 3 p.m. in the parking lot of the Norway Savings Bank. We have another meeting next Monday, the 24th to finalize our plans and I will be writing more later. Remember the date, October 13 between 1 and 3 p.m., rain or shine.

Buy a few non-perishables each time you go shopping to donate. Your thanks will be knowing you are keeping someone fed who does not have to go to bed hungry.

I have discovered families are like fudge, mostly sweet with a few nuts.