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Published: September 14th 2020
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Our last site of lodging was at our son, Cory’s, house outside of Corning, NY. The night before our departure, the two Cory’s re-enacted the movie”The Hustler” with Fast Eddie and Minnesota Fats. They moved around the pool table swiftly and accurately. The games were close but the father finally admitted the son might have won...but it was almost too close to tell. When Cory and I were in college at the University of Buffalo, I had to wait for my “Fast Eddie” to win some money on the pool table before we could go out on date. He always won and we would always have an exciting date. Oh, the memories.
On the day we left Cory’s house, we made plans to meet up with dear friends for lunch. Sue has been a treasured friend since our college days. She and her husband, Del, have always been like family to us even though our opportunities to get together were limited. Cory stood up for Del and Sue when they got married. The four of us were together in Buffalo, N.Y. and starting our families at the same time. Oh, what wonderful memories we share. Sadly, 18 years ago, sweet
Del passed away. He left a hole in all our hearts. Sue, bravely and strongly, raised their large family on her own. She has found happiness in her companion, Les. We found happiness, too, when we met them for lunch. It was delightful to be with them again. Sue never changes. She is the sweetest, most loving person you will ever meet. We are blessed having her as part of our fr-amily. Our lunch was delicious and our time spent together will be cherished.
Moving on now to a virgin location that we have not yet occupied. We headed east to Binghamton, NY......actually, Apalachin, NY. Our daughter, Kim, works at the SUNY Binghamton and has a cute apartment where she stays when she is down here. Because of COVID, she is doing most of her work at home in Honeoye Falls, NY. Result: we have a nice, little apartment to stay in for ourselves. Her place is on a second level so I do have to climb some stairs. Ouch. The apartment building is at the very top of a long, winding hillside. Thank God, I don’t have to walk up to it. I’d still be sitting at the
base of the hill with Lulu.....she can’t walk (you know why). My problem: my knees are shot! Cory gets us to the top of this magic mountain in his trusty truck. Plenty of room for you in the truck bed so you don’t have to struggle either.
Kim has the apartment decorated with some of our “old house” pictures and furniture. It makes us feel like we are back home on a smaller basis. Loving it.
Yesterday, we drove to Owego, NY....a few miles down the expressway. It’s a very quaint place with gorgeous old homes and interesting little shops....many of which have closed. We found their original J.J. Newberry store. It has been converted into a huge, two story antique shop. Even though we don’t have our Santiques and Corllectibles business anymore, it’s still fun to look. The thrill of the hunt is gone. Now we are like those annoying people who would look at our stuff and say “we had that”! That got old real fast. Now, it’s us saying it. Haha. It was a really nice antique mall....very well done! Of course, there were stairs to climb. Oweee.....my knees are squealing.....I’m so ready for my
knee replacement when we get back to Florida. Lulu especially enjoyed herself amongst the treasures. She found an old ice bucket to rest in like “we had”. She also found a “friend”...we have started a vote on who is the prettiest. So far, Lulu is way ahead in the polls! Cory actually found an old license plate to buy. It’s still in our blood.
We had lunch at the River Rock diner. As you can see, I had more steps to climb. Help! But the food was good so it was worth it.
Binghamton is known at the Carousel Capital of the World. It has 6 magnificent, antique carousels. We attempted to visit one of them but it had closed for the season. Such is life. We drove through the city itself seeing some points of interest and many spectacular, old churches. But what to do now? No merry-go-round ride for us. Lulu sniveled quietly.
Fear not....Cory came up with a brilliant idea. He put the truck in high gear and we headed off to a calling Mecca. I know you are all excited wondering where we were going. You don’t even have to hold your breath
cause I’ll tell you now. We went to Tioga Downs. “What” you say.....we are going to the racetrack? No, no, no.....it also has a casino. Ahhhh....that sounds more like it. Mr.Lucky is primed. The crap tables and all gaming tables were closed. Only the slots were open. You found a seat at one with no one in your vicinity because of social distancing. Everyone wore a mask. This is a NY casino (not Indian) so no smoking. My first slot machine gobbled up my money but then I found my favorite machine: Wild Cherry. I won all my spent money back plus 49 cents....a winner! Yay! Enter Mr.Lucky. As usual, he carried on his tradition of winning. He cashed out and pocketed $500 ....for only an hour of work. Not bad, Bucky.
We weren’t done yet at this gambling establishment. We jumped aboard a little bus that took us to some of the horse barns that had been converted into an antique mall. Oh, my. These were great. So many goodies to look at. I popped some Motrin in order to be able to limp along the aisles and aisles of intriguing items. We bought nothing. We are doing
so good!
We ate at the Blue Dolphin Diner. Whoa....I had my dream-come-true meal: calamari over linguini with marinara sauce. Oh, Oh, Oh......it was scrumptious. I could only eat a portion of it because they served one mega-giant, warm, homemade roll that Cory and I shared. I have certainly recovered from feeling so nauseous early on in our travels. It was a horrible feeling but kept my weight in tact. Now....it’s like a free-for-all. Rats! On our way back, we passed The Fainting Goat Inn. We stopped to check out the goats but none of them fainted. Maybe if Lulu had screamed they might have. She does have a shrill screech. They really do fall over in a faint.
Today, was a “rest my legs day.” It worked out fine because we got to watch the Buffalo Bills win their first football game of the season. Go Bills. Lulu posed with her new carry back we bought for her at a yard sale. Only $1.00 and she is thrilled. Her drool inside her old bag was getting sticky and odiferous.
Our next destination is back to our daughter, Lory’s, house in Scio, NY (outside of Wellsville). I
have a dentist appointment and a final doctor appointment. We will get our flu shots and I will let my doctor know I have finally diagnosed my issues and what I am doing about them. He’ll be pleased..Hah! We are going to have one final family gathering before we pack our car for our journey south. Plan to join us for both. As always we have plenty of room for all of you. Until then....carry on.
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Sue Hoobler
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I love you so!
Oh, I cannot tell you what it meant to be with my truly best Friends! There is no other comparable...and now not so jealous of your innumerable other friends. I felt so close when you talked of Owego, Tioga Downs and the Blue Dolphin, as have been to each, and could easily picture you there. I am just so upset that Cory did not receive that thank you and picture of the cutest cupcake with the candle on fire. Buttercream icing! Now you know my email, so could you please send me your personal emails and your two mailboxes. ALSO, could you please give me your birthdays, as I am not certain that have them... Safe travels to you, as you are so precious. Please Sandy, let me know about your knee progression, right now not fun. Precious friends, I love you Forever! Sue