In other years we have spent the Fourth of July weekend up in Montour Falls at our friends' Frank and Barb Johnson's, but this year we only went Friday for one day. The place was packed with flea market and craft vendors. I made it through two rows and then found a seat and watched the tractor pulls.
I spoke with a former co-worker, "Butch" Palmer, who was selling one of those scooter-type things. He told me it was in good shape and had two new batteries, but he is a former truck driver so I don't know if he can be trusted. I left him with the tired old line, "I'll think about it and let you know." I do know where he lives.
The best deal of the day was buying a nice head of cauliflower for $1 and I had a huge dish (three scoops) of ice cream for $2, but that was a gift from son-in-law Rod and step-daughter Shelly. I was so tired by the time we were ready to leave I only made it to Elmira and had to have my co-driver finish the trip home.
Saturday we traveled to East Point for a cookout at son Greg's. We even had chicken, which was very good, and that's really a great testament coming from me. I suffer from childhood memories of chickens; not just a few but thousands of the things. We also admired the garden and the flowers.
We did not attend the fireworks display at the Wheel Inn. Still tired from Friday's outing we came home and enjoyed Alba's display at about 11 pm that night.
We have a son-in-law working on the old barn. Having gotten down to the concrete floor he showed up driving a rather large Komatsu loader. He also brought great-grandson Jacob who was helping with driving. I didn't know a boy's eyes could get that big. We found the date (1954) that was written in the new part of the floor. Yes, my Grandpa Leon Matson's dairy barn was transformed into another chicken facility. I don't recall how much a case of eggs paid but I suppose the income was enough to make spending so much time and effort on the things somewhat worthwhile. I remember shipping twenty-one cases one time. I guess we sent about the same amount each Monday morning. We carried the washed, graded and packed cases up the cellar steps and handed them up to the trucker, usually Bill Bellows or "Cocky" Earle. Now some fifty years later I can hardly go up and down those steps with nothing in my hands.
Now for the news you don't need (or want). Jeb Bush released thirty-three years of financial records and Hillary goes to New Hampshire and uses a rope to keep reporters away from her. I would think anyone running for an office would welcome the opportunity to talk to reporters. I know I do whenever I run for an important office. How does she have the power to corral people? Did she buy the town? Did she rent the street? Many folks are beginning to see the real Hillary. How long will it take for her to see it?