We were sad to learn of the passing of former long-time neighbor Ed "Edgy" Wesneski. He was the only man I knew who kept his vehicles cleaner and in better condition than my brother-in-law Dick Horton.
Speaking of clean cars my wife went to Canton last Friday for the sole purpose of washing the car. Upon her return she left it out so I could see how nice it looked (it did) as I had not returned from my Friday visit to the Chatterbox where I learn all kinds of important stuff. When I came into the house I was told in no uncertain terms that i was not allowed to drive the car on any more dirt roads because of the mud packed in the wheel wheels. When we returned from East Point last week via Union Road, Collister Road, Pine Hill, Joe Hill and Spencertown Road, I suppose that's when it happened. Seems like a normal route back to Alba to me. The only part I missed was the Lower Mountain Road to Brown Road and the Rundell Road back to Alba Mountain Road. Maybe next time.
The highlight of the week was from William McNett to join him for dinner at his home in Canton. We were happy to accept and we along with my mother and eleven others joined him last Friday evening for a wonderful ham dinner. Bill's daughter Julie, visiting from Florida, arranged the whole affair so of course we all invited her to return to visit often. As we all are cousins of one degree or another the talk turned to childhood adventures, broken bones, getting lost, even being shot by a good friend. Geoff explained to my mother why the barn removal has ceased. A boat is now taking up all his free time. So if anyone needs any barn beams complete with nails we will talk.
An interesting find last week at my Mom's house - a ledger kept by my Dad for several years beginning in 1966 and keeping track of such things as truck and chicken-raising costs and profits. I learned gas for his pick-up cost between three and four dollars per fill-up. Our income for providing labor and housing for 3,000 of the noisy two-legged things that were not smart enough to do anything but eat - well maybe one other thing - was between $1,400 and $1,900 depending upon the market in New York. But we (my Dad) did not have to pay for the feed. It was fun for a while but like the veal business something happened. I remember receiving the tiny yellow balls of fluff in a few cardboard boxes. They were so cute.
One of the other notable entries was utilities costs. $32.00 for gas service in January 1966 and $4.30 for one month of telephone. Two tires for his truck cost $59.00.
I received a phone call from a daughter last week asking if I or the town had ever discussed speeding in Alba Boro with the State Police. I replied I had indeed spoke with the troopers, county commissioners, trucking companies and anyone else that would listen about it. She said, "thanks a lot. I just got a ticket."
I said, "good." She agreed there is no good reason to speed in a little town with three or four roads that connect with busy Route 14 within one-half mile.
Some big shot in Canton told me that speed limit signs should be one mile apart, not 7/8 of a mile. Well then, lose a day of work and go to Towanda. Wouldn't it be easier just to slow up a little? So now when you are speeding and some old guy pulls out in front of you in Alba, rest assured I am only trying to save you money.