Busy Holiday Weekend

     One of the nice things about being home is seeing our friends.  One of the tough things about being home is seeing our friends.  Since we're only here for three weeks, it's difficult to find the time to do all the things we want to do and see all the people we want to see.  On top of all those desires comes the incidents of life that require your time, energy, and empathy.  There seems to be an unusual number of deaths and illnesses which have occurred affecting our lives and those of our friends.  My good friend Katherine Wells died last week, and the family has contacted me with a number of questions regarding the estate. Our neighbor Mary has broken her ankle and has been practically immobile.  We've been over several times to help out and are making her dinner tonight.  The wife of a lawyer friend of mine has had a recurrence of her cancer. On top of these the 18 year old son of some Berlin friends died in a car accident last week.  I tried to go to the wake, but it was so crowded that after waiting 50 minutes I had to leave to pick-up Nan who was waiting for me.
     Last Thursday I went to choir rehearsal at the Church of the Covenant in Averill Park.  It was good to see everybody and actually sing.  I realize I miss using my voice and I can assure you that my voice misses the exercise.  On Friday Val Gray, Jim Miller and I went out for lunch at the Town Tavern.  (This was formerly known as the Park Tavern and had a rather unsavory reputation - it has cleaned-up very nicely.)  It was good to talk with these old friends, both of whom are also retired.  On Saturday, after a little shopping, we went out to meet Tom and Jackie at Vapors, a nightclub at the Saratoga Gaming and Raceway facility in Saratoga.  We went because a group "The Refrigerators" was playing.  We have seen them play a number of times and have always enjoyed them.  They are a pretty good cover group, which usually plays a number of oldies.  Such was not the case on Saturday night.  They went a "funkadilic" route.  Every song had about the same sound and beat.  The only oldies they played were "O, What a Night"(Four Seasons -disco phase) and "I'm a Soul Man" (which gave everybody the chance to dance like Dan Ackroyd in "The Blues Brothers").
     Yesterday was church in the AM with a chance to say "hi" friends in attendance.  David made a guest appearance in the PM and went to a RPI hockey game with Jim Miller and I.  We met Sue and George there.  RPI played the US Junior Team containing former RPI player Jerry D'Amico.  It was a very good game and went to a great shoot-out which RPI won in the 12th round.  Afterwards we headed to downtown Troy dinner at the brewpub.
     The weather has been reasonable (for upstate NY) - a little light snow and cold(but not super cold).  A busy week ahead.  Merry Week Before Christmas to All!