Monthly Archives: May 1997

Diary Entry for 5/1/1997

Cloudy, rainy, windy 69°. Colder in evening. Merrill went to day care. He didn’t get home until almost 6 PM. Don with them out here. I cleaned floors. Also cleaned stove. The stove I have now is so easy to do. The top lifts up on it. My right hip hurts. Mike White sang for them at day care today.

Diary Entry for 5/3/1997

Rained most of day. Hard at times. Had some bad thunder and lightning. Took out cable TV. Jim called and Shawn Michael called also. Sent Kristen card, letter and $10.00. I washed clothes. Jim, Shari and Jenny brought my 2 pizza’s. Camp kids made them to earn money for Aldersgate camp. I had some for supper. Good. $13.00

Diary Entry for 5/4/1997

Cloudy. Sunny. Cold wind. We went to church. 68 out. Communion. Mary Hall gave us candy bars. Cable back on this morning. They fixed it late last night. We listened to tapes last evening. Enjoyable. Vivian called phone company for me. She and Clark here to inspect wires and phones. Tom Ronas has Hodgkinson’s disease. We had popcorn in evening.

Diary Entry for 5/5/1997

Nice day. Sunny 63°. Telephone man here and fixed hone. Wire broke on pole and 2 fuses burned where it came into cellar. No charge. Nice fellow. Vivian came over to tell us he was in Philadelphia. Kristen’s 6th birthday. I washed Merrill’s clothes. Merrill filled more low spots on lawns. Vivian called in evening. They spent the day cleaning at camp.

Diary Entry for 5/7/1997

Cold, cloudy. Some sun in PM. Vi called in PM. Paid water bill. $63.50. Taxes due at library. Returned tapes. Elmer and lady friend from Salina, Kansas here in late PM. We took them to Philadelphia restaurant for supper. They left about 7:30 PM for Wolcott. Elmer will be 70 June 3rd. He’s 18 years younger than Merrill. He works at a Walmart store in Salina in the garden department. Jim and Police Chief in Syracuse today.

Diary Entry for 5/8/1997

Sunny. Still cold. 56° high. I got Mother’s day cards from Vern’s and Patty. Merrill didn’t go to day care. He wasn’t feeling good. Stomach upset. I called Sam Transportation and day care. I sent check to Lowville Op-Op for labor on drill. Merrill got haircut. We got groceries. We saw Rev. Dick Graves at store. He is so thin. He said Howard H has had shoulder operation. I talked with Mary Hall. Jim called after supper.

Diary Entry for 5/9/1997

Cloudy, some rain, a little sun. Tina here. She was very concerned with Merrill’s slow heart beat. 31 beats. She saw Dr. Mike. Merrill went to see him at 3:15 PM. They did an EKG. Mike talked with heart doctor. He said Merrill was stable. Merrill to have blood test at hospital tomorrow. Aricept 24 weeks. Tina told us about this new drug for Alzheimer’s. Lewis Fiestal and Barb Teft here. She is taking over his job. He has a new one with the school. I made cake and strawberry short cake. I called Jim. He, Sue, Jill and Shawn having supper at mall. I called Lyla. We will ride to city with her.

Diary Entry for 5/10/1997

Raining. Sun out in PM. 51°. We rode out to hospital with Lyla. Merrill had blood test. Jim brought us home. I washed clothes in morning. Merrill cleaned floors. We got thank you letter from Kathy Tryon. We left canned stuff in mailbox for food drive. Jim and Pat were married 28 years ago today. They’ve been separated 9 years. Jim said Joel is living in a different place now. Lyla said Aunt Maude only weighs 87 pounds. They want to tube feed her.

Diary Entry for 5/11/1997

Sunny cold wind. We went to church. 45 out. Rev Elaine has bad cold. Bob Boschock helped her and did a great job. Rev Sampson’s grandchildren baptized. Sunday School kids gave us petunia plant. Jim came out on his bike. Brought me his usual big size nice Mother’s Day card. Jolie, Shawn Michael and friend of Zack’s, Paul, here. Jolie gave me lovely 8X10 picture of Shawn Michael and herself. Jill and Jim here also. They brought me Grandmother’s card. They met with Rev. Elaine at 3:30. I gave Jim Ashley’s birthday card and $5.00. Joe B mowed our lawns.

Diary Entry for 5/12/1997

Raining all day. Sun at supper time. Dr. Mike called. Merrill’s blood report not back yet. Make is going to start Merrill on new drug Aricept for Alzheimer’s. Merrill slept most of day. He’s had bad nights. Jim called I evening. Joel is coming this week.

Diary Entry for 5/13/1997

Sunny. Cold wind still. Merrill went to day care. He had a ba day, they said (Driver) I called Syracuse Alzheimer’s. They referred me to Watertown. Lynette Beck called me back. She said Dr. Kellogg, in city is the doctor to see. I sent Patty birthday card. I talked with Vi. Jill called for Steve’s address, phone number. They are going to ask Kristen to be flower girl. Ashley has changed her mind. Jill called back and said she couldn’t reach Steve’s. A friend’s little girl will be flower girl. Jim called in evening.

Diary Entry for 5/14/1997

Sunny, cloudy. We went to bank and grocery store. They called from Philadelphia Medical and want Merrill to see Dr. Merza at 4 PM. Lyla will take us to Black River Medical. Dr. Merza gave Merrill EKG and stress test. He’s puzzled that Merrill does not have trouble breathing, fainting etc. He may have to have a pacemaker. We ate supper at McDonalds. Jim Milford’s parents and brother getting into Syracuse at 11 PM.

Diary Entry for 5/15/1997

Cloudy, Rainy. 58°. I called Jim a work. Not new from Joel yet. I made chocolate chip cookies. First time in ages. Also run cleaner on carpets. Merrill worked in garage all forenoon. He slept in PM. Ashley’s 6th birthday. Jill called. Jim’s folks got here okay. Jill and Jim’s wedding rehearals at 5 PM. Jolie and Shawn Michael here at suppertime. 5 PM. Jill, Jim, Jim’s mother, father and brother (David). Mike, Patty and Jim came here after rehearsal for a while. Jims family nice. I called Vern and June in evening. Shelly called from Philadelphia Medical to see about Merrill’s visit with Dr. Merza. His thyroid test okay.

Diary Entry for 5/16/1997

Rainy, windy, cold. Joel called about 8 AM. He got to city about 7. He drove 14 hours alone from South Carolina. One flat tire. Vivian called. I called her in PM. Dr. Merza’s nurse called. Wanted Merrill to come to be fitted for a battery pack to check his heart beat for 24 hours. Lyla took us. I called Vern. Vi called. I called Shelly at Philadelphia Medical. City police opened new satellite station on Franklin Square. Jim spoke at opening. He was on TV. Jim called in evening.

Diary Entry for 5/17/1997

Cloudy, cold day. No sun. Jill Erin Tryon Mefford and James Mefford exchanged of wedding vows at Philadelphia United Methodist Church by Rev. Elaine White. A nice ceremony. A very nice reception for 50-60 people at Highland Meadows Country Club. Vern and June and Merrill took Merrill’s test back to Carthage hospital to Dr. Ashraf so he could read it. Vern, June, Sue, Ashley, Jim, Joel and Carrie here before going to the church. Jim and Joel got into their tux’s here. They all came back in evening to get clothes. We went with Vern and June to church and reception.

Diary Entry for 5/18/1997

Sunny. Still cold. We went to church. 68 there. Vivian and Glenda brought us pot roast beef dinner from Calcium fireman at 6 PM. Delicious. Merrill worked in garage in PM. Juanita called in PM. Brenda and Bill went up to look over new job. Their house won’t be empty until July. They are at Brandeth Lake. Donnie and Robin not together now. Ken and Esther looking after Holly’s kids. Lori has left Holly. Kristen had a piano recital this PM. She played three songs.

Diary Entry for 5/20/1997

Cloudy. Colder and windy some sun. Merrill went to day care. He was u getting ready most of night. I washed clothes. I cancelled Merrill’s appointment with Dr. Lanza, Syracuse. Vern called after supper. Jim called on way home. Joel is staying until weekend.

Diary Entry for 5/21/1997

Sunny early. Some showers. Windy and cold. Merrill mowed lawns for first. Joe B mowed them over a week ago for first time this year. We took recyclables to dump. Also went for groceries. Lyla called. We had hail storms this PM. Jim called from on way home to Sackets. Joel is with Jim.

Diary Entry for 5/22/1997

Rainy cloudy. Merrill mowed some of lawn but too cold to finish. Merrill didn’t go to day care. Bonnie called. We had good visit. I defrosted freezer. I talked with Jolie. Crystal and Jerico here at suppertime. Gave us pictures. Debby is working 2 jobs. A new Barbie doll in a wheel chair has gone on sale. Kids loe her. A good teacher. Vern and June leave for Dan’s after school. Dr. Merza’s nurse called. Merrill to enter Carthage hospital at 8 AM tomorrow. Operation at 5 PM. I called Vern. Jim, Lyla, Tina and Rev Elaine. Also Clark and Vivian. I called Carthage hospital. Dr. Merza called me back. Merrill can have light breakfast.

Diary Entry for 5/23/1997

Lyla took Merrill and I to Carthage Hospital at 8 AM. Merrill had a pacemaker put in at 5:30. He gave them a bad time as he fought them and had to have more medication than planned. I stayed all night with him as they didn’t have extra nurses. A rough night as he kept wanting to get up The moved him from room 113 to 119 near nurses station. Pauline R came to hospital in AM. Jim, Sue and Ashley there in evening at 5 PM. Lyla got curly perm.

Diary Entry for 5/24/1997

A very warm day. Summery. Great. Merrill got out of hospital. Lyla came after us. Rev Elaine came to see us at hospital just before we left. She helped Merrill get dressed some. Talked with Jim twice. Also Lyla. Tina called. Merrill had Xray this morning. Vern called from motel in West Virginia in evening. They will be home Monday. Vern is coming Tuesday to take us to Doctor Khan and Ashrof.

Diary Entry for 5/25/1997

I put the flag up for first this year. Tina here for one and one half hours. Merrill slept in bed with me all night. Jim came out on his bike in PM. Lyla called. She has a cold. Vern called from Pennsylvania. They will get home tomorrow. He will be out here Tuesday. Jim took his birth certificate with him.

Diary Entry for 5/26/1997

Cloudy cold day. Some rain in PM 59° high.I put the flag up. Washed my hair, washed clothes, etc. Merrill slept in the bed all night again last night. Jim, Sue, and Ashley here in PM. Him had races at Lafargville. Joel finally got started back for South Carolina at 10 AM today. He got there at midnight. I cancelled Sam Transportation for Merrill this week. Vivian called in evening. Pauline called in evening from Margies.

Diary Entry for 5/27/1997

Sunny nice day. I called Dr. Khan and Dr. Ashraf. Also Vern. Vern got here about noon. He got 4 geraniums for cemetery and we put them on mom and dad’s grave on way to Carthage. Merrill saw Dr. Kahn after waiting almost 2 hours. He took out Merrill’s stitches. Then he went to Dr. Ashraf and had EKG’s. Everything fine. Vern here for lunch but wouldn’t stay for supper. Ginny Delles called to see if I could make it to Lodge tomorrow. Past Grands go to Cape Vincent June 11. Jim called on his way home. Renewed Time paper for 6 months. $83.20

Diary Entry for 5/28/1997

A great summer day. In the 70’s. I washed bedding. Also Merrill’s clothes. I called Vivian and Lyla. Lyla’s cold improving. Clark borrowed rota tiller. Jim and Ashley came out and mowed the lawns at 5 PM. They look great. Sue came out for supper with us after work. Jim brought me pills from Pharmhouse and padlocks (larger ones) for back door. Our sons are so great to do things for us. I wish we could do more for them I wish all parents could be so blessed with good children like ours. We thank God for them.

Diary Entry for 5/29/1997

Cloudy but warm. 73° I sent Robin birthday card, letter, and $10.00. Sent Elmer card and letter. Merrill cleaned floors. We had first asparagus from garden for supper. Real late this year. Tina called. Will be here tomorrow.

Diary Entry for 5/30/1997

Raining all day. I called Vi. They were having rummage sale today and tomorrow. Tina here. Merrill’s pulse 68. Jim called twice. Alice Flaherty called. We visited for an hour. We went for groceries in PM. Ground broken at Fort Drum today to build a huge airstrip for big planes.

Diary Entry for 5/31/1997

Cloudy but hot. Some sun. 70°. We took 3 weeks garbage to dump. Merrill got 3 quarts of oil at Agway. I washed the car for first time in years. Merrill couldn’t get hose together to use. Our inspection sticker ran out in April. I washed clothes. Merrill has puttered in garage all day. We put screen on back door. Good to have windows open. Alice Flaherty’s birthday.