Much cooler. 66° high. Rained in PM. Merrill cleaned up garden. I sent for “Highlights for Children” magazine for Shawn Michael (I year) for 2 to 12 year olds. I called Juanita in evening. Kay is ill with pneumonia. She and Kyle had nice visit in Colorado. Juanita just got home from Crystal’s. She baby sat Jericho for weekend. Ken and Esther fine. Their flea market will be open all through September. Kyle is back with Cindy.

Cold. Rained off and on all day. Sunny between showers. Merrill went to day care. He’s been home four days. I paid water bill while I was over town. I paid my Rebekah’s dues, $8.00. Rebekah’s first fall meeting. Five members and one guest, Edna Backus. Chad Dudley here while I was gone.

Cold, Down to 41° overnight. Norma here to clean. She went to store for me. Jolie, Alexis and Alexis’ mother Doreen here in PM. They had been to visit Shawn Michael’s school at Antwerp. His teacher is Mrs. Claudia Klock. I washed Merrill’ clothes.

Another cold night. Merrill went to day care. Rev. Jane Wagner called in morning. She will be here at 5 PM for dinner. She has a wedding rehearsal at 6:30 PM. Rev. Jane didn’t get here as her car broke down and she was getting it fixed. Lyla was here in PM so I asked her to come for supper with us. Glad someone helped share dinner with us. Chad Dudley here in PM.

Raining. Thunder storm most of forenoon. I washed white clothes. Used dryer. The Starr Report on President Kennedy in Times today. Sickening. I can’t understand why a paper would publish such garbage He and Monica Lewinsky have to answer to God for their stupidity.

Sunny. Choir back for fall. Nice. Sunday School opens. Church back at 11:15 AM. Our new pastor Jane Wagner’s first Sunday with us. All very nice. 52 people out. Georgia Blankenship and her two sons Mark and Adam in church. Wayne came after us. Merrill upset this PM. I called Jim. He took the Explorers up to Ken Smith’s camp today. Ashley went with them. Our new Pastor has two sons and one daughter. One of the sons is married. Her daughter is a senior at Carthage High School and she will drive there to school this year.

Partly cloudy. Nice. Merrill went to day care. I painted one of the garage doors on the inside. I’ll do the other one later. Clark and Vivian T came home from camp to stay today. Housekeeper’s aide called to say Thursday will be Norma’s last day to clean here. She is pregnant and cutting back on work. Amy Hicks will take her place. She will be coming on Tuesday nest week.

Raining off and on. Warm. Carol came to see Merrill in place of Tina. She cut his toenails for him. I called Vivian in evening to say welcome hoe. Merrill cut the thread eyeslits in one of his sneakers so he can’t lace up that sneaker. Used a paring knife.

Cold wind in morning. Warmed up during day. Merrill went to day care. I washed clothes. It’s good to see Vivian’s daily wash on her line again.

Down to 37° overnight. Merrill didn’t settle down to sleep until after 3 AM. We got thank you and wedding picture of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Hagan. Jim called from work He said Jim Mefford is in Colorado now. He talked with Joel last night. He may give up his new job as he has to travel from state to state and live in motels. Norma’s last day of aid for us. She has done a good job for us. She is going to have a baby boy the last of January. I called Lyla. I lost a tooth. She will take me to dentist tomorrow. I sent for black 3 piece suit to Lane Bryants. $91.98.

Another great, summer day. Up to 72°. Merrill went to day care. Lyla too me to dentist to get my tooth put back in . We left at 10 AM. Had to wait 2 ½ hours, then go back at 3 to pick up my dentures. All this to get a tooth glued back in. Cost $65.00. If it happens gain, I’ll buy some denture glue and fix it myself. We ate lunch at the Atomic. I had soup. We shopped at KMarts. I got Merrill black Dickie pants, a navy Dickie shirt and a tan and black flannel shirt. I bought myself a new digital alarm clock with real large numbers. $12.99. Jim was here mowing our lawns when we got home at 3:30. He couldn’t stay for supper.

Another summer day. Hazy at suppertime. Temperature up to 73°. Humid. Lyla took us for groceries and to dump. She and Merrill sat in car while I shopped. I sent Vern birthday card, $20 and letter to both. I can’t believe he is 62 already. Where have the years gone. He has always been such a wonderful son. We are so proud of our sons.

Hot some haze. Sunny. We went to church. A nice service. Choir great. 53 out. Wayne, Nancy and Alice came after us. The church made $831.47 on 1st roast beef supper this fall for benefit of Sunday School. Today is Glen Coons 84th birthday. Jane C said the Cooke house has been sold to the Murtha family. He is a teacher. At one time, they used to live where Lancaster’s do now.

Up to 76°. Windy. Vernon’s 62nd birthday. It’s hard to believe we have a son in his 60’s. Merrill went to day care. President Clinton’s grand jury testimony tape on TV for 4 hours. I listened to all and I can’t believe 4 million dollars was spent on all this nonsense. Vi called. Martha not good. Jim called in evening.

Colder. Only up to 62°. Merrill soaked his feet and we finally got his thick toenails cut. I have a rash on the backs of my legs. It’s very itchy. I washed white clothes. Amy Hicks, Kathy’s daughter, will start as our aid. She went to store for me. George, a hurricane, is headed toward southern Florida.

Very cold over night. Frost 32° or less in places. Only up to 57°. Merrill went to day care. He wore his new clothes. Black pants and tan and black plaid shirt. Looked spiffy. Black shiny shoes and black socks. I went to Rebekah’s with Ginny. Eight of us were there. Vi and Esther there. Sackets harbor Rebekah’s closing. They may join at Philadelphia. We watched Country Music award show on TV in evening. 8 PM to 11 PM.

Partly cloudy. Cool. Our new minister Rev Jane Wagner here today for first time. She’s very nice. She had a lovely prayer with us and we said the Lord’s prayer together. I got black jacket and pants fro Lane Bryant. They will send the shirt later.

Hurricane George is hitting Florida. Winds over 100 miles per hour. Over 200 killed in Puerto Rico and Haiti. Merrill went to day care. If Genesis goes out on strike for higher wages etc. he may not be able to go for a while. I washed Merrill’s clothes. Also sorted out summer clothes to put upstairs. Vernon called in evening. We talked for an hour. We got nice not from Nancy and Tom. They arrived home in Kansas all safe and sound.

Partly cloudy. Warm. I washed white clothes. Merrill prowled all night. Neither of us got any sleep. I’m so tired today. Boy scout camporee on Wesley Island this weekend for 2300 scouts fro Canada and Eastern US. Jim there with them with Explorers. They went yesterday and come back Sunday. I called sue to ask for a ride to church. I also called Linda to ask how Joe is doing at Paul Smith. He has an apartment in Saranac Lake. He loves college. Darcy okay in Florida. They are getting lots of rain. No hurricane damage. Bad thunder storms in evening.

Bad thunder storms. Terrible wind. Power off and on. It was off for over an hour during the night. Credo barn struck by lightning and burned. John Kiechle had beef cattle killed on Sandy Hollow. We went to church. Heather and Sue B came after us. Rev. Jane sang solo. She has a beautiful voice. 53 in church. Rosie and Elmer having a sale today to get rid of surplus furniture. They have moved into their son George’s new house next door. Will sell their house. Merrill busy picking up tree branches all day. Clark, Vivian, talked in yard awhile. Also Barb Drake. I called to ask if Merrill was over there. He was out back of our garage. Jim here in evening. Brought pills. Sue sent very cute picture of Ashley, Kristen and Sarah taken on Easter Sunday. Jim said Jill and 3 friends have moved into a house he bought at Pierpont Manor. Bonnie M called. No day care for a few days because of strike that started this morning.

A nice day. Cool wind. Merrill didn’t go to day care as it is closed for a few days. Merrill slept part of the day. A big mistake !!!

A nice day. Cool wind sunny. Tina here to see Merrill. Everything okay with him even if he prowled all night. I am so tired. Got about one hour of sleep. I talked with Lyla. She survived the storms Saturday. Merrill, after supper, went on his own to the plaza. Bought some gum at the liquor store. I thought he was in the garage.

Cloudy and partly sunny. Warm. No day care again today. Chad Dudley here. He stopped by while we were eating lunch but came back in PM. Merrill told him all about chopping wood. I called Sue at work to thank her for picture of 3 girls. She said she would be out someday. Jim called in evening. He was down to see Jill at Pierpont Manor tonight. She lives in a house Jim bought on Comstock (Stinson) Road.

Raining in morning. Much colder later. Sunny. I made appointment for Merrill with Dr. Mike. Also called for transportation to Carthage to Dr. Merza on the 8th. We brought in plants from porches. I added more dirt to some of them. Merrill got it out of the garden for me. Bonnie M called. Day care opens Monday. She notified transportation.

Cold day. Partly sunny. Merrill didn’t want to get up. He went back to bed after breakfast. I grimed his hair for him. Vivian stopped in to ask if our phone was working. It wasn’t. Phone Company working on corner. Sandy called in evening. The phone so noisy I could barely hear her. They are coming tomorrow. Gene Autry, 91 died today of cancer.

A nice day. Cold wind. Bell Atlantic finally got our phones fixed. Gloria, Sandy and Roger here. They took us out to lunch to Philadelphia Restaurant. Then Sandy, Gloria and I went to store. We all enjoyed the day very much. They brought us bag of fruit. Bananas, apples, and pears. Jolie called in evening. They are coming out tomorrow. There was a wonderful program on WWNY TV about drugs in the North Country. All local people. It was hosted by Cindy Hubbard. An excellent program. It will be repeated on Sunday night.

A real nice, sunny day. We went to church. 49 out. Communion. First in ages. Some went to crop walk after church. I gave Boschock girls $4.00 for it. Jolie called in PM. Zack has to go back to work so they can’t come out. Jolie is sick. She has passed out twice so can’t drive or work. Maybe from her migraines. Merrill excited about going back to day care tomorrow.

Real cold with white frost in morning. Merrill went to day care after over a week at home because of the Genesis strike. I washed Merrill’s clothes. I called Lyla to ask her to take us to doctor’s tomorrow. She Cheryl, Kathy and Marian went to Gilson’s in Canada for dinner Saturday. They had great visit. Loren 73 there also. I got call from Charlotte. Elmer in Salina, Kansas is in hospital with cancer. In his stomach and liver. He’s very anemic. I called Jolie. Also Jim. Jolie, Zack, and Shawn Michael were here for supper. Jim out collecting rent so couldn’t come. Jim has a new $16.000 Harley bike. Also has his old one.

A great fall day. Merrill and I got our flu shots. Dr. Mike 10 AM for 3 month check up. All okay. He gave Merrill prescription for 1 pair of Jobst hose. Lyla took us to Mikes and then out to city for pills. Etc. I changed Merrill’s shirt at KMarts. I saw Linda B there. She said she thought Gloria Collins left the apples on our door last night. She got a bag also. Amy here to clean. Feels so good to have a clean house. She cleaned my refrigerator. Charlotte called in evening. Elmer has been moved to cancer center in hospital. He has quick moving one cell cancer. It is treatable with chemo. We called Elmer in evening. Also talked with Leon.

Cloudy. Some sun. Merrill went to day care. June called in morning to say Vernon had a heart attack last night and is in ICU at Oswego Hospital. He was at the hospital when he had it. Jim and I went to Oswego. Vern doing fine. May go to Syracuse St. Joes Hospital for a catheterization and possibly an angioplasty. We went over to June’s for lunch. Their back yard is so nice. They bought 3rd building lot. Jolie, Shawn Michael and Alexis came out to be here when Merrill got home. Merrill very upset because I wasn’t here. I called Ken’s in evening. Ken has to have a cataract operation.

Raining all day. Dr. Mirza 10 AM for Merrill. Good report. Goes back 1/11/99 at 10:15 AM. Janet from Oxbow drove us. Her 6½ month old daughter Kelsey along. Also Jeff from Philadelphia Courts. Jim called at 4 PM. No news from June yet. I talked with Lyla. Jim called in evening. Vern in Syracuse. Had tests. They found 5 blockages to his heart. He will have bypass operation by same doctor Bea Gehm had for hers. Vern in St. Joseph’s. They can’t operate until Monday. He had mild to medium heart attack. Shawn Michael and Jolie called in evening. Had just ordered pizza.

A great sunny day. Merrill went to day care. I wrote a letter to Barker girls. I sent it to Evelyn to pass on to Dot and Annie. I cleaned stove. The leaves are starting to fall on our lawn. June called at 9 AM. Vern got moved to St. Joseph’s. He is in good spirits. Dan and Robin and Lydia got here last night. They are with June. I called Jim. He was fixing his clothes dryer.

Cloudy. Rained at supper time. Amy and the twins took my trash to dump. Vern called from hospital. He’s in good spirits and sounded great. Esther called in morning. Linda came over after my folding chairs. She is having birthday party for her father’s 80th birthday. Victor Delles. I called Sandy Hagan. They had been to Rodman Cemetery to get flower urn. She puts it on mother and dad’s grave each year. Her great grandparents. Jim called from Adams in PM.

A nice warm day. We went to church. 45 out. A great service on prayer. Party for Lyla at Manor 12:30-2:30 PM. It is her 71st birthday today. We stopped after church. Kathy brought us home with Cheryl’s car. Real nice party. We called Vernon at the hospital. June, Steve, Kathy and girls were with him. He is all set for tomorrow.

A good fall day. 63°. Vern’s open heart operation about noon. A quadruple bypass. Took about 4 ½ hours. June called from home at 6:20 PM. She and Dan had just got home. Steve and Vern’s pastor with her and Dan all day. I called Jim. He, Jolie, and Shawn Michael were having something to eat. Zackary in Washington DC with funeral detail until Thursday. A long day for me. I was so jittery. Merrill went to day care. No mail but Times came. No school. Pauline called from Marges. Donna having health problems. I wrote letter to Elmer.

Another great fall day. Tina here. All okay with Merrill. I sent letter to Elmer. Amy here to clean. She went to the store for me. Also cleaned stove oven. Amy called in PM. We had a long visit. I talked with Lyla in evening. I called June. Vern doing great. Still in ICU. They had him sitting in chair awhile. Dan, Robin, and Lydia still in Oswego. President of Rebekah’s visit at Philadelphia Legion. 43 present. I didn’t go.

Rained during night and in morning. Merrill went to day care. Vi called. Martha and Jack Meeks spent weekend with Julie and family in Kansas. Got to meet new granddaughter. 3 months old. I washed clothes. Ginny called to say we weren’t having Rebekah’s. Too many ill. Chad Dudley here in PM.

Raining. Juanita called at breakfast time to ask about Vern. Kay on oxygen all the time now. Vivian called. She and Clark went through the 2nd largest plane in the world at Fort Drum. The largest plane in the world (Russian) has been landing at Fort Drum this week. They flew over in night last night. I called Jolie. They are getting Shawn Michael new bike. Alice Flaherty called in PM. I called June in evening. Vern coming home tomorrow. I called Jim to tell him but got his answering machine. Ken Rudes Senior age 86 died tonight.

Foggy in AM. Merrill went to day care. I made a cake. It is in Times tonight that Jim is one of 15 elected to Committee for Neighborhood Watch in Watertown. They announced cost of living increase will be 1.3%. Lowest in 12 years. Vern called in evening. He sounded good. He got home from hospital at 3:30. Four days after his quadruple bypass Jolie called in evening from mall. Jim there with a girl friend. I talked with him also. Merrill seems to have a cold tonight. Roast beef supper at church. They cleared $900.

Merrill didn’t get up until 10 AM. He raked leaves in PM. Jolie, Zack, and Shawn Michael here in evening. Shawn brought his new bike and helmet with him. Pauline Rogie called in evening to ask about Vern. We had a nice visit

A great summer day 80°. Rain in evening. Merrill has a cold. We didn’t go to church. I had a nice visit with Nancy when I called them not to puck us up. Merrill had a real bad night. I discovered he didn’t take his medication last night. I called Jim this morning. He was up on river. I also called Vern and June. Vern is doing fine. Dan, Robin and Lydia left for West Virginia today. Ken Rudes memorial service today at Theresa funeral home. 4 PM. Jim here on his bike in PM. He went to Ken Rudes funeral.

Colder, windy, and cloudy. Merrill went to day care. His cold seems to be about gone. I shut storm windows upstairs. They are hard to do alone. Our bedroom windows aren’t on yet.

Cold windy. Merrill has slept a lot today. Jim called. He can go to Vern and June’s tomorrow. I called Merrill’s transportation and Bonnie at day care. I ordered a fruit basket for Vern at Big M. Amy here to clean. She went to store for me. I talked with Lyla . I asked her if she would like to go to Oswego with us but she couldn’t go this time.

Very cold in morning. Cold wind all day. Cloudy and sunny by spells. Merrill didn’t go to day care. Jim took us to see Vern and June. We had nice lunch with them. Jim took us to bank and the store. We got fruit basket for Vern. Merrill got his hair cut for first time at Fort Drum at Gate Barber Shop.

Still cold. Sunny in PM. Merrill very tired today. He didn’t get dressed until almost 11 AM. Rev. Jane called in AM. The color on TV not right. Very purple. Can’t adjust it.

Cold sunny. Merrill went to day care. I sent Steve birthday card, letter, and $10. Lyla called. Tina called to ask if we had had flu shots. We have. I called Betty Fredericks. She wants to see me Monday. Lyla will take me to Theresa. I made chocolate chip cookies. First in ages. Our mail didn’t go until 6 PM tonight.

Nice. Sunny. Deer and bear hunting season opened today. I set clocks back 1 hour in afternoon. Daylight time ends at 2 AM. Sun is Eastern Standard time. Day light saving time started during World War 1 to save fuel. Merrill very mixed up all day. He was inside just about all day. Not like him.

A nice day. Party after church by Evans Mills and Philadelphia folks for Rev. Jane Wagner. We didn’t get to go. Merrill didn’t want to get up. I called Nancy H. Merrill raked leaves in PM. Patty called after supper. Steve’s 34th birthday. I talked with him on phone. Vern called in PM. He’s feeling great. They went to church. I also talked with June. Jim told her about his new friend Nancy Penrose.

Sunny. Nice day. Merrill went to day care. Lyla took me to Theresa to Frederick’s funeral home to make funeral arrangements for our future need. A lot of paper work to be done. Cost $1085 for cremation. It’s good to have it out of the way. I wish Merrill could have gone with me, but he wouldn’t understand things as he is now. Cremation cost $950. Other expenses $135. Betty said Joe Healy, 71 was dead. He used to repair our cars. Merrill in good mood tonight.

Another great sunny day. Carol here to check Merrill. She cut his toenails. She was filling for Tina. Amy here to clean. Alice Flaherty called. Also Vi. Martha not as good. She is to have another pain blockage. I called Donna in evening.