Ron and I enjoyed watching the Belmont Stakes horse race on Saturday. Hooray for “American Pharoah” winning the Triple Crown – the first in 37 years! I like seeing all the proper ladies dressed up – especially nice to see the 90+ year old owner of former big race winner “Secretariat”. We watched in awe the strength and beauty of those magnificent steeds. We tuned in a couple of minutes before they were in the gate, and in just two minutes it was all over! But for some reason they felt the need to run a 3-hour program.
We caught just a few laps of the Pocono race on Sunday afternoon, as we took the time to do some more yard work while the weather was so beautiful. Two of our neighbor’s children came for the afternoon and helped us plant and water flowers and “pick rock” – which, believe it or not, they actually enjoyed. Maybe it was the cantaloupe and ice cream we promised during the break. I, too, enjoyed the snack very much. It was our first lope of the season, and I must say it was quite tasty indeed.
Friday early evening, Ron and I walked up the street to the Hojnowski’s to enjoy a picnic gathering in honor of their daughter Tricia, who was graduating – that very evening – from Troy High School. We can’t believe it! Our little Tricia! She’ll be headed off to Penn State this fall, majoring in animal science. I can’t imagine not seeing her out in the back yard throwing hay bales, or out walking the horses to another pasture, or having her every Sunday in my teen Sunday school class. We will miss her terribly. I hope she comes back to Alba to visit often.
Speaking of graduations, I read in the local newspaper that Troy School graduated 110, while Canton came in at 54. And then a day or two later I read in the “75 Years Ago” in 1940, Canton graduated 67. And “50 Years Ago” Towanda graduated 147. Ron and I graduated from Troy in 1971 – 44 years ago – and, if I counted the names correctly on my diploma we had 158. What a clear indication of the diminishing number of youth in the area.
Saturday, after I got out of work, Ron and I skipped over to Canton to the annual Antique Tractor show and flea markets. In talking with the “Sister Street Bureau” guy who was busy (?) manning the raffle ticket tent, said there had been a very respectable turn-out both days, thanks to the weather, and were looking forward to another good day to end the event on Sunday. We were quick to remind him that we had bought our tickets at the Maple Festival and didn’t need any more. Ron and I strolled around looking at “stuff”, had a bite to eat, listened to some good rock and roll music, did quite a bit of visiting, and then headed back home.
Last Sunday at church began the special summer music, when the choir has off, and folks are invited to come and bless us with their talent by singing a number or two. Special thanks go to Lois Myers for coordinating this – she does a great job. We always enjoy the guest musicians. Last Sunday we welcomed Geri Thomas from Troy who played the guitar and sang a couple of numbers she wrote herself. She is very talented indeed – everyone really enjoyed it. It was also “Graduation Sunday” – so our Tricia Hojnowski was recognized. Pastor Charlotte read through the listing of her high school accomplishments, none of which were much of a surprise. Another graduate in the community is Kristin Kinner, also from Troy High School. Where was I when these “kids” grew up? I’m definitely beginning to feel my age.
We have finally gotten some much-needed rain, and I see one of my favorite summer wild flowers – the daisy – is very plentiful along the highways and in fields as well as those bright yellow buttercups.
June 14th is known as “Flag Day”. On this day, in 1777, the Stars and Stripes became the official U.S. flag. On June 14, 1834, Isaac Fisher was granted a patent for sandpaper. On June 15, 1909, Benjamin Shibe patented a baseball with a cork center. On June 17, 1885, the Statue of Liberty, a gift from the people of France, arrived in New York Harbor in 214 packing cases. The United States declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812.
Quote by Helen Keller: “Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.”
Food for thought: The train of failure usually runs on the track of laziness.