Had a terrific day yesterday. Barb H. and I went on the Bucks County bus trip and enjoyed a train ride to Lahaska, lunch at the Cock 'n' Bull in Peddler's Village, then a mule barge ride down the canal in New Hope. This is my old stompin' grounds, as we lived only a few miles from New Hope across the river.
The weather was absolutely perfect: sunny, with clear blue skies, and warm, but not hot, with a nice breeze. We left at 8 am and got back a little after 6.
Today, I'm going back to St. James and hope to meet Celeste, with whom I've been in touch via e-mail. I just have (I keep saying this!) a few little things to do, then I hope to be finished.
Can't wait to see our former governor, McGreevy, on "Oprah" this afternoon, so I plan to be home for that.

Muckie met me at St. James and had a great time looking over the pictures. She didn't go to St. J., but knew a number of people--those who went on to Holy Spirit. I introduced her to Sister J., who had known Muckie's cousin, Sister Josette, who worked at St. J. until she died last year. Muckie was pleased to hear that the school planted a tree in Sister Josette's honor and will have a dedication with a plaque. Muckie asked to be invited to the ceremony, and Sister will call her.
We had lunch at the little luncheonette down Portland Avenue that used to be "Nick's" in my grammar school days. Went over to the historical society, but it was closed.
Nice day, but when I got home, Pat was fuming at the Eagles game. I sat down to watch with him, but they lost. Bad, but there's always next week.
Today, Barb H. and I go to the Bucks County bus trip--should be great fun.

Pretty nice day. I decided not to go to St. James until tomorrow because Celeste e-mailed she'll be there and I thought I might as well go then and meet. her. Went to Shop-Rite after the morning chores and had to detour, as the back road was still flooded.
Went through the artifacts from Pat's box and took some clippings about "the Ventnor Pirates" to Staples; copied several and enlarged some. There's a priceless picture of coach Pat Conover and four Ventnor guys on the team, including Pat's brother, John.
Will now revise the photo archives list, so I can take it to St. James tomorrow.

Had a very pleasant lunch with Mary Ann V. yesterday. We went to Doyle's and I had a delectable hamburger and a beer. (I like my burgers very rare and I just read about an outbreak of e-coli--a dangerous illness--that can be caused by undercooked meat. Well, I'm just a daredevil, that's all.)
Mary Ann invited me back to her place for coffee and cookies and she, Bart, and I had an enjoyable chat. I asked them for lunch next Friday and they accepted.
Good news: We were delighted to get a call from brother Larry yesterday telling us that the doctor in Jacksonville was not as concerned as the Miami doctor about the growth under Helen's eye. It's been removed, and alth0ugh they may need to go back in with a laser or something, it seems to be not quite as serious as was thought before.
Called Pinelands Regional and it turns out we can specify particulars for the winner of our scholarship award. Sent e-mail to Susan and Barb H., my fellow committee members, and we'll discuss.
Going to St. James again today to almost finish up--this should be the penultimate visit. E-mailed dear niece Joan asking her to check her Mom's 60th reunion program for addresses of '38 grads. Will then pass on to Celeste to put on the invitation list for the gala. I'm trying to persuade sister Betty to go--not sure if I will if she doesn't.
Raining a lot today, so I guess Susan's and my walk is a no-go. Well, we've been faithful with it almost every day, so I'm okay with skipping once in a while.

As it turned out, Pat's "vein test" for yesterday was postponed to next Wednesday. Confusion reigns at this vascular surgeon's office, as he had the second test scheduled for then. Oh, the hell with it, we'll just go; it's an ultra-sound, so shouldn't be too big a deal.
Slow day yesterday. Talked to Betty in the morning, then took a blanket and bedspread to the Laundromat--they're king-sized and I think may be too big for our washer--and they came out great. I put them in the cedar chest, as I have a quilt on the bed now.
E-mailed back and forth to Celeste at St. James. Think I'll go in to "finish up" (I keep saying that and there always seems to be something else to "finish") tomorrow and Saturday.
After Pat went to the bay, I just puttered around, then fell sound asleep on the couch until he came in and woke me at 5:20. I had hot dogs and beans in the crockpot, so just served him at 6:00, as I had had a late lunch and indulged in cookies, so wasn't hungry. Took a shower while Pat ate.
Today, I'm meeting Mary Ann V. for lunch. Her husband has emphysema, also and it will be satisfying to compare notes. However, Bart doesn't have the host of other ailments Pat does.

Lunched with Lily M. yesterday at the Tuckerton Grille. She gave me several items, including an excellent duplicate of the '49 St. James graduation class which we hadn't had and, interestingly, a copy of the program for the graduation. This properly belongs in an archive of printed and written material, but is a real find. I don't remember having a program when I graduated the next year, but I may have had.
Talked to Betty yesterday, also to Muckie. On impulse, I called Alice E. and had a nice chat. Also called Larry; Helen and he are going to Jacksonville to have her growth removed. I'll call Sister J. today to ask if I can go back on Saturday; Muckie said she'd like to meet me there. I'm going to ask Sister if she would have any objection to my placing a classified in The Press of Atlantic City and possibly elsewhere, asking for donations of pictures and other memorabilia. I also want to ask about any printed material she might have, so I can start an archive for that.
We go for the first of Pat's two "vein tests" today--this one's in Manahawkin--to what purpose I'm not sure, but Pat wants to do it, so we will.

Yesterday was an okay day. Larry called in the morning to thank me for the copy of his St. James graduating class. Also told us about Helen's surgery of today to remove a growth from under her eye. I got her a card and will send today.
Went to the Women's Club meeting with Barb H.; talk on scrapbooking was pretty good, but not riveting. Made meatloaf for dinner. Got Sunday call from darling daughter Ellen; today's her birthday, so I'll call her later today, too. She got our gifts--wind chimes and a musical cutting board. No, the board doesn't play music, it just has a Chopin work on it.
I'm in touch with Lily M. about the St. James archives. She has some good stuff she's willing to duplicate and donate. I suggested we meet for lunch to talk over archives, gala, etc.
Today, will just run a few errands and generally do what I please. Always appreciate the days I don't have anything on the agenda...