North Norway

NORTH NORWAY — It was beautiful outside this morning, each branch and bough covered with frost. Just like a Christmas card. Now the sun is out but it is snowing in New York according to what I see on TV so things may be a changing here in a few hours.

We went grocery shopping yesterday and I guess I was more aware but it seems as if commodity prices are rising all at once. With oil up, I know everything else follows but was surprised just the same. And not in a pleasant way. I suppose those in Washington will say "Let them eat cake" if we arise in protest at the price of bread.

LeeAnn Gouin came up from Florida for the holidays and called on Mary and Frank. She was tickled pink to find snow. She had lunch with Mary , Frank and Paula one day during her visit. Paula, Dana, Mary and Frank have been to Crosstones for lunch and also for breakfast lately. They often go there for Sunday breakfast and see friends and relatives there also. Thursday, lunch was at Clif and Mimi Gray's in So. Woodstock with Mary, Frank, Paula, Dana, Charlotte and Paul Joyce attending.

Judi and Deven Andrews usually have facetime with "Six" on Skype once a week. He seems to know who they are and the Newfies get quite interested even if they cannot smell Six. They miss him as do we all. Except for Shyla, the cat. If she could make the Newfies disappear her life would be much simpler. And babies do not appeal to her either. Very self centered, I am afraid.

Our cat, Rajah, was quite ill last weekend, resulting in a very expensive visit to the vet on Monday. Nothing conclusive was discovered except that she has small nostrils. Which has nothing much to do with anything pertinent, I am afraid. The thought was she got into something not good for her but what that could be, we haven't a clue. She begs for ham but we never give it to her and unless she can open the fridge, it is not available. Perhaps we should have a hidden camera to see what she is up to when we are not around.

In Hawaii, Kara and Dan and Six have moved to larger quarters and have an extra bedroom. Tempting but a long flight with possible hassles due to uncertain weather so as far as I know, guess no one is going out at present.

Charlie needed a new Solonoid for his tractor and we traveled to Portland in search of same. He had heard that they had them at Ingersol Machine so we went there. As it happens, they do not sell to the public but asemble things there. They did sell one to Charlie after a lot of red tape as he would have had to go up beyond Bangor somewhere to find a dealer. It was nice of them to bend the rules a bit. We went to BJ's to pick up a few things, then to the Olive Garden for lunch. One would think the economy was booming to see all the people out to lunch. The manager came by to see if we were happy and gave out $5. coupons towards a future meal, which was a pleasant surprise.

After lunch to make our lives complete, we made it to Trader Joe's. The excitement had died down and parking is available. Or at least it was then. They are famous for their Two Buck Chuck wine and there was plenty of that. We bought none but have been told it is quite acceptable.

Dell thought the prices quite reasonable on most everything, the aisles are wide and uncrowded so it was an interesting visit which left us with a pleasant impression.

Mary told me that down in No. Carolina, Pam's family has been ill with what the doctor diagnosed as "the crud." Pam is holding out so far and has not come down with it. Also, Phelps Poland is having a procedure done this week and Joan Poland is going into Mercy to have her hip re-done. Let's all pray for a good outcome for her this time.

Instead of my usual wisecrack at the end of my column, let me share something I read with you. "Maintaining your privacy in today's technological age is, at best, a difficult task. It requires constant effort to remain below the radar. But if you have a presence somewhere on the Internet, say through a social site such as Facebook, it is impossible," This is copied from an article and should be especially heeded by teenagers, as what they put on Facebook can follow them forever.