RELAXING IN HIGH PLACES

Landfill "Filly" relaxing . If he falls asleep and falls off, it's at least a 12' drop to the first floor.

Hi..Stephanie....from Landfill

IN GOD WE TRUST

I don't usually forward emails even though some of them are very good, but this one seemed worthy to pass on. Maybe the next time you find a penny, you'll be reminded of this story.


You always hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story. Gives you something to think about.

Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than their house.

The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.

As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him.

There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped, and a few cigarette butts Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up?

Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value.

A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this?

'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words ' United States of America ' 'No, not that; read further.' 'One cent?' 'No, keep reading.' 'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?' 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin.

Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!

When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message. It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient..

CONGRATULATIONS "ABBY GRADUATES FROM GSU"

Abigail Paige Cramer

graduated from Georgia Southern University

May 2008

Majoring in Geology

I know...this is your high school graduation picture...as soon as I get your college picture I will replace this one

Paulson College of Science and Technology building at GSU

Completed in 1995, the College includes the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Construction Management & Civil Engineering Technology, Geography & Geology, Mathematical Sciences, Mechanical & Electrical Engineering Technology, Military Science and Physics.

MAY BIRTHDAYS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARCY (May 29) AND SUE(May 31)

BIKING ON THE F.J. & G RAIL TRAIL

Yesterday we went on a bike ride on the F.J. & G Rail Trail with our friends Linda and Rusty. It was a gorgeous day. We packed a lunch and ate it in one of the gazebo's along the trail. My bike has an odometer which clocked that we biked 8.2 miles. Not bad for the first day out this season.

LOOKING DOWN THE TRAIL

THE KENNYETTO CREEK FOLLOWS ALONG BESIDE THE TRAIL

STOPPING TO TAKE PICTURES OF SOME FLOWERS ALONG THE WAY

THESE ARE SOME OF THE FLOWERS ON THE BIKE PATH

ONE OF THE GAZABO'S ALONG THE PATH WHERE WE TOOK A BREAK

THIS IS THE OLD F. J. & G. R.R. STATION IN JOHNSTOWN, WHICH IS ON THE TRAIL

ONE OF THE LAST EVIDENCES OF THE RAIL ROAD.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE 23 MEANS

8.2 MILES LATER......THE MOSHER'S LOADING THEIR BIKES ON THEIR CAR.

A GOOD FIRST OUTING ON OUR BIKES

F. J. & G. R.R. (Fonda, Johnstown and Gloversville Rail Road)

Bluets

Our field is blanketed with these bluets. Looking out our
window in the morning it looks like there's frost on the
ground. You will notice that they have four petals, but
Larry found several with 5 petals. He is fascinated with
them now and looks for 5 petals each time he goes by
them.

WHATZIT? Help me identify it MYSTERY SOLVED !!!!!

I bought this at a garage sale when we were in Endwell last weekend. I was curious to know what it is, so had to bring it home and try and find out what it is. So far....nothing. It is made of cast iron. It's about 8 inches long.

This is the bottom side....

The picture didn't come out very well, it really is as dark as the upper picture

Shari and Sharah clipping Sam's hoofs

Our daughter Shari and her daughter, Sharah teamed up on the effort to clip Sam's hoofs. Sam is actually Sharah's goat, but he lives here in the small barn next to our cabin.

Don't you just love those pants with that plaid shirt?

CLASSIC CAR MUSEUM RE: '52 HUDSON

The exhibit contrasted cars from both ends of the decade, as well as showed some of the automobiles from companies which are no longer in existence. We met a lot of neat folks and compared notes and many stories about each others cars. The website for this museum is: www.classiccarmuseum.org

Does he look like a proud owner of a Hudson?

AUNT SHARI VISITS SAMMY

Aunt Shari lives about 45 minutes from Sue. She stopped by after work on Monday to see Sammy for the first time. She brought gifts for Katie and Kenzie, as well as Sammy. I forgot to take pictures. I need to hang my camera around my neck so I don't forget so many events. Shari also brought me a Sandlewood Pillar Candle and a Scharffen Berger Dark Chocolate bar for mothers day.

Thanks Shari, I'll enjoy both.

FLOWERS FROM STEVE

Yesterday afternoon the UPS truck arrived here at the Odell's with a large box. The box was addressed to me from Pro Flowers via my son Steve. There are 61 bulbs that are planted in a basket. Here is the discription: Colorful, cheerful and fragrant hyacinth, narcissus, tulips and scilla are sure to bring the warmth of the spring indoors. This bulb garden is designed to grow and bloom after arrival, for optimum enjoyment. Bulbs arrived planted, in pre-budding stage, and ready to bloom in 2-4 weeks. Care instructions are included.

I can hardly wait to get them home to start them growing.

The picture below is what they will look like.

Today the UPS truck arrived again with a package for Sue, also from Steve.

Preparing the stems before putting them in the vase

It takes 12 to 24 hrs for the flowers to open up.

This is what Sue's flowers will look like when they are all opened up.

THANKS STEVE FROM MOM AND SUE

Sue and Sammy

Sammy went to his first check up today (6 days old). Dr. Green said he's doing very well and won't have to come back for a month. Here is Mommy (Sue) and Sammy

SUE'S COWORKER'S AT COLGATE U.

COLGATE UNIVERSITY

Sue, Katie, Sammy and I visited at the Colgate Campus today where Sue's works. It's a beautiful campus. This picture doesn't do it justice. Her Co - Workers, Boss, and the Dean of the college were all happy to see Sammy and also meet Katie for the first time. Sue will be on maturnity leave until the end of June.

Sue's Office

Sue and Dean Charlotte Johnson

Some of the Office Crew

BABY SAM'S WEIGH IN

Today Sue, Katie, and I took Sammy to be weighed at the hospital where he was born. He was 5lbs 15 oz when he was born and 5lbs. 12 oz when he left the hospital. Today he had gained back 2 oz. (he's 5 days old today) The nurse was very pleased and said that they are pleased if a newborn gets back to their birth weight in 2 weeks, so he is doing very well.

Finally got a picture with his eyes open. (Taken yesterday)

I'm enjoying every minute of being here not only with Sammy but with Kenzie and Kate as well and of course with Sue and Chris. Sue is feeling very chipper for giving birth only 5 days ago. Sammy only woke up once in the night last night, so Sue wasn't so tired. I'm fixing "requests" for meals. Last night roast beef, potatoes, gravy etc and tonight Chris requested Mac and Cheese, so that's about to go in the oven.

11 Grandchildren

This is our fire ring that we often sit around in our Adirondack Chairs and enjoy making s'mores and good conversation. 2 years ago there were 9 stones for 9 grandkids. Then Kate Odell was born and grandpa added another stone. In this picture you'll see that he has placed another stone for our newest grandson, Sammy, making 11 stones.

OUR NEWEST GRANDCHILD

SAMUEL MARTIN ODELL

Parents: Sue and Chris Odell

Siblings: Mackenzie age 7 and Kate 22 months

Born: May 8, 2008 at 9:09 p.m.

Weighing 5 lbs. 15 oz and 18 1/2 inches long

Hamilton Hospital, Hamilton, NY

I arrived here at my daughter's today, May 11 to see my grandson for the very first time.

I haven't made up my mind who I think he most resembles. They say his grandfather Cramer.

I'm sure I'll be taking many more pictures this week, so be "Prepared".

CHIMNEY SWIFT'S

This is the chimney on
Northville's Second St. where the Chimney Swift's dwell. The only remains of the Hubbell Glove Company is behind the chimney.

The picture below shows the birds diving into the chimney at dusk. There are fewer birds that come now, but at one time there would be as many as 400+. What a sight it is to observe.




Many people from all over the area , as far away as Albany and Schenectady and Amsterdam, come each year to observe the birds arrival. Each night during the summer months of May thru August there will be numerous cars parked and people standing watching them dive into the chimney.




For more information about these birds go to :

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/Chimney_Swift.html

The man in the picture to the right is Don Williams a local historian, author and storyteller.
He was also the MC for the evening, retelling the story of the birds.

Every year on May 6th the Swift's arrive in our town and stay until mid August. The rest of the year they live in Peru, a 6,000 mile trip to Northville. A very interesting fact is that they arrive on the birthday of the man that owned/had the chimney built. Each day at dusk they circle the chimney and a then all together they descend into the chimney like a funnel. They cling to the inside of the chimney where they spend the night. These birds feed on insects while in flight

The birds are about 5 inches long and look somewhat like a cigar. Each year our village celebrates their arrival with music, food concessions, a story teller, and a general turn out of local folks who chat and talk about previous year celebrations and of course the latest scuddlebutt in town.


This year we a had a folk/country singer who entertained us through out the evening. Sometimes the local school bands will play or local groups.

Each year I ask the 5th grade art class to draw pictures of their intrepretation of the Swift's arrival. This year they worked together on one larger poster. This was hung where it could be seen by those attending the affair.

The Boy Scouts sold Fried Dough and Pop corn was sold by the Civic Association