One of the first opportunities I took was to visit my friends in Schoharie County, where I worked for 16 and 1/2 years. The day I visited was one which had been designated for a luncheon honoring all those who worked so hard and under such tough conditions caused by the flooding in the Schoharie Valley after the rain from hurricane Irene. The coiurthouse is still not fully functional, as the first floor is undergoing major renovation because of the flooding. My friend Tim Holmes, Supreme Court Librarian, had his Library completely destroyed. Some of the Third District staff was present and it was good to see them as well. The presentations gave you an idea of how devestating the floods were and how much work went into keeping the courts going. It was truly very moving.
Last year we had an artificial Christmas tree and this year we decided to have a live one(well actually this wasn't a live tree either because it had been cut down). This year we went all out. Nan is the best tree decorator ever. When we got the tree, it represented the only thing in our living room. Having redone the floors in the summer, we had yet to have purchased any furniture. That was remedied by delivery of a sofa and comfortable reading chair the Wednesday before Christmas. It got there just in time to have someplace for the kids to sit.
It has become a Christmas tradition for us to go bowling several days before the big day. It is the only time all year that I for one go bowling and judging from our scores I don't think there was much practicing over the past year by anyone else. In a way we were all winners: Erin got her high game ever, Krista got her first strike, Spike went from the worst first game to the best second game, David collected the most total strikes, and I won total pin count.
Christmas Eve was spent at my sister's house. We moved the start time up a bit so that Nan and I could sing at the Christmas Eve Service in Averill Park. Joing us were Tony and Jane, some hiking friends and fellow "46ers". It was Spike's first Christmas Eve with us, so we were all on our best behaviour. One of my sister's trademarks, including the great food, are the "bows" she puts on her gifts. They're not really bows, but works of art.
Here's David and his package with the bow representing rolling terrain and skiing.
Nan's package represented her sliding downhill most of her hike of Coocheccarga with Sue and George. Her snowshoes broke and she spent most of the hike sliding on her ... well you can guess.
Singing at church in the candlelight on Christmas Eve was really nice. It took me back to when I was a kid and going to church on Christmas Eve was part of the tradition. We sounded pretty good if I do say so myself.
During the week after Christmas, we visted with a number of friends including Chase and Mac from Hillsdale.
We were looking for someplace to go dancing for New Years Eve, but they were all so expensive. Then we discovered "Party With Marty" at the American Legion in East Greenbush. Dancing with a DJ until midnight with our friends, Marie, Helen, and Larry was a great way to bring in the New Year, and the price was right - No Cover!
Our trip north ended with a trip to the RPI Field House for a hockey game. For over 40 years we had season tickets to RPI hockey. This was the first year that Suzanne didn't pick up the seats(which worked out in a way as RPI is currently 3 wins 15 loses). I just thought that we should go to one game "for old times sake". Sue, Jim Miller, and myself went to dinner first at Brown's Brew Pub in Troy and then on to the game. RPI lost, but we got to see a few of the old timers who haven't given up their seats.
The New Year is underway and we're back in Durham, where we'll be for at least another year.
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