Debra LaValley's Blog

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I am so thankful for my family and friends. I feel truly blessed to have all of you in my life. This year, we are especially thankful that my sister Jackie is still with us and doing so well. She had a brain stem stroke on October 15th. Most people who have brain stem strokes die or are severely disabled. Jackie sees double and at first could not swallow anything at all – including saliva. Her goal for Thanksgiving was to be able to eat mashed potatoes and gravy. Today at our Thanksgiving meal, she had turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, squash, pumpkin pie, and thickened cranberry juice. She has to think about swallowing – but she is able to get certain consistencies down. It gives us great joy to see her eat anything at all. She has even been able to swallow her saliva from time to time. We are hopeful that soon, with more of her special electric swallow therapy, she will be able to swallow her saliva and drink water again.

We take so much for granted in our lives. When I think of how much joy – Jackie has had just being able to swallow real food – I realize just how lucky all of us are.

Have a great Thanksgiving! Enjoy life’s simple pleasures and your family and friends!

PS – Why the photo of the otters? I have wanted to see wild otters for years, and this morning I came across 4 swimming and fishing in the Contoocook River off Broad Cove Road. I was THRILLED!

Hardy’s Hill

A Memory or Two from Winters Past

Tonight, we may be seeing a little snow here in the area. Not the 2-4 inches they were forecasting this morning, but we most likely will have some ground cover by morning.

The other day, I was driving with down Elm Street with my folks, and we passed this house. My dad said when he was growing up, they would ski across the river at the Contoocook River Park (aka The Island) and go through the woods and up this hill to ski. They called it Hardy’s Hill back in the day. My mom added tonight that my father taught her to ski on that hill. I laughed and said he mustn’t have taught you very well considering you were kicked off the slopes at Waterville Valley. It seems she did not learn how to turn so she was a hazard to others. I remember her telling me this when I was a little girl. Tonight – she did admit that my father only gave her a few lessons.

My brother Ken must have inherited my Dad’s ski instructor gene. I went downhill skiing only once. I went night skiing with my brother Ken at Highland’s. I had never been on skis before. I rented a pair and by a miracle made it to the t-bar and to the top of the mountain. My brother told me that I just needed to jump off. I fell off to the right – my brother went to the left. Ken joined me and showed me how to “turn” … by telling me to press in with one of my legs – I would then “shoosh” down the hill in one direction and fall. I got up – applied pressure to the other leg and then “shoosh” down the hill in the opposite direction and fall. This pattern continued to the bottom. I went up the rope tow on the Bunny Slope a couple of times and attempted to improve my turns, but gave up and waited in the lodge! Thus ended my downhill skiing career.

Cilleyville Bog Bridge

Welcome to Sillyville!

Yes … Sillyville! All of the political commercials and telephone calls are enough to drive you crazy! I am undeclared so I get twice as much junkmail and phonecalls. I recycle the junkmail so it is good for something, and I ignore or hang up on the telephone calls (depending on my mood). Thank GOD for Caller ID! Yes, I am one of those undecided voters that David Letterman refers to as idiots because we haven’t made up our minds. I don’t consider myself an idiot. I am not a sheep that follows a party blindly and just goes and votes for the party. I do not affiliate myself with any party. I vote the person – and I consider both candidates – decent individuals and both have their positive and negative views. I am not totally thrilled with either. By Tuesday, I will make up my mind – but it is going to be close. One of the choices – I feel will do better with the economy and one is better with social issues (in my opinion). In the end it will be whether I choose the Devil that I know and even voted for (but haven’t been pleased with his performance) in 2008 or the Devil I don’t know. God help us all – I say! I will be praying for divine guidance (it will take that to get us out of the mess we are in)!

Whatever your party affiliations or beliefs – Please remember to VOTE! We are blessed to live in a country where we have a say.

I can’t wait until all the hoopla is over though and volunteers – make sure to pick up all those unsightly political signs littering the countryside. They are an offence to me eyes! Thank you!

All Hallow’s Eve

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is lasting a bit longer for me this year – thanks to Hurricane Sandy! Penacook and Boscawen usually Trick or Treat on 10/30 (Gate Night). Last night, I hurried home – threw my supper down my throat – lit the jacko’lantern, turned on the porch light and waited! And Waited . . . And Waited. I saw the kids next door all dressed in costume and loading into the car. After about an hour, I checked WMUR’s Halloween listing. I was SHOCKED to see that Boscawen postponed Gate Night until Saturday night on 11/3! I was not amused at the time. Penacook kept Gate Night on the 10/30. Unfortunately, it did pour and then we had a HUGE thunderstorm that was worse that the hurricane the day before – at least around my house. Hopefully, the weather on Saturday evening will be nicer.

I am still burning my jacko’lantern. I love the glow of a jacko’lantern. Have a safe and fun Halloween everyone!

Debbie 🙂

Frankenstorm is Approaching . . .

Last year on the night of October 29, 2012, we had over a foot of snow fall to welcome in Gate Night/Halloween. This year, Hurricane Sandy is cruising up the coast and has been nicknamed Frankenstorm! We are not going to get the brunt of the storm – but there will be a lot of rain and wind. There also may be some power outages. I am hoping it is “Much Ado About Nothing” (one of my favorite plays BTW). I do not like power outages – being addicted to technology – television and the internet, etc. Just in case we lose power – I have made sure my Kindles, laptop, cell phone, and camera batteries have been charged. I have not run out for milk or toilet paper – like the rest of the masses. I can’t believe folks think that even if there are power outages that they don’t have enough toilet paper in the house! I have almost 4 rolls – I think I will make it through Frankenstorm. It isn’t as if I plan on running around on Gate Night toiletpapering houses! Seriously – I hope everyone stays safe through Hurricane Sandy. Take care everyone!

An earthquake shook us in little old Penacook and surrounding areas tonight at approximately 7:14PM. I had gone out to fill up the car with gas and stopped at friends who live off the Manor. All of a sudden – the couch, floor, and windows shook like the dickens! The phones acted up for a bit – probably because everyone was calling everyone to ask if they felt it. It says it was a 4.6 epicentered near Sebago, Maine.

No damage – just a lot of shaking! I am sure folks in California wouldn’t have even noticed 🙂

Ghost Squirrel

I had an albino squirrel sighting at approximately 5:00PM on 10/13! I was thrilled to see the albino (aka Ghost Squirrel) after the rumors of one of them being killed. I have since heard that there are at least 2 albino squirrels in the area. I hadn’t seen one since the rumor of one being killed – though I know others have seen him since. I was thrilled to see him today. It is such a cutie. I also shot some video on youtube.

Have a great day!

Blackwater River – Webster, NH

The leaves were flying today. The rain and wind we have been having is not being gentle to the trees and foliage. I love October though! I have been decorating my apartment for Halloween. I still have a few more things to get out of storage and put them out.

October is also a season of delicious apples – fresh from the orchards. I figured I would share my mom’s favorite Applesauce Cake.

Applesauce Cake

Mix:
1 cup applesauce
7/8 cup (little less) brown sugar
1/2 cup liquid shortening (aka – oil)

Then add:
1 3/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 cup nuts & raisins

Bake 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

The colors of fall are starting to emerge from the greens of summer. I love the fall. Unfortunately, it has been raining for days – so I haven’t had any good photo opportunities. I am hoping for better weather in the next few days. Uncle Ralph is arriving early next week. He is looking forward to seeing the fall foliage. Hopefully, the rain will stop and the leaves will still be on the trees.

I came across this recipe of my Grammy LaValley that I thought I would share on this rainy day:

Scalloped Potatoes

3 cups sliced raw potatoes
onion
1 can cream of celery soup (or cream of mushroom)
(Mix soup with one can milk, layer potatoes, onion, and soup mixture in casserole dish)
Salt and pepper

Last add 1/2 cup grated cheese

Cover with aluminum foil and poke a couple of holes. Bake one hour – 1/2 hrs . . . in a 350 degree oven – uncover and then bake for 15 minutes.

Ken Ross 1936

Today would have been my Grampa Ross’s 103 birthday. Unfortunately – he died Christmas Eve 1958. I turned 1 year old on December 26, 1958. I was the only grandchild he ever knew. Unfortunately, I was so young that I don’t remember him.

Tonight, my Mom, sister Jackie, and I stopped by Blossom Hill Cemetery and wished him a Happy Birthday. From all that I have heard about him from family and friends – he was a wonderful man.

Happy Birthday, Grampa Ross!