Wouldn’t it be wonderful if some company or developer would build an assisted living facility in Windham? Instead, as our relatives and friends grow older, and need more care, they must move away from all that is familiar to them.
This week, we found out that Julia Reeves (Mrs. Clifton) is now living at the Birchwoods at Canco Assisted Living, 86 Holiday Drive, Portland. Also at Birchwoods are former Windham residents Earl and Margaret Wentzell. We are sure that a cheery card and/or a visit would be most welcome.
Two big issues remain in a state of limbo, insofar as Windham is concerned – one is the lack of public transportation and the other is housing facilities of various types (independent, assisted living) for the older segments of the population. It’s as though no one, including all those expressing concern about the future of the town, recognizes this tremendous and growing need.
A small disaster occurred at my house this morning, when I took my favorite little roasting pan (dark blue with white speckles) and dumped some pre-soaked beans into it. I left it on the counter while I fetched the salt pork from the refrigerator and when I came back, the counter was covered with water. A tiny hole had appeared in the bottom of the pan, where it had been hit or banged against something. Much as I hate to throw anything away, my best cooking dish is now history. It will definitely be replaced, for it was exactly the right size for so many things.
Years ago of course, this pan would have been quickly mended and put back into service. In the depths of my mind, I recall some kind of little mending kit with small flat pieces of metal which were used to mend pans, wash tubs, galvanized pails and other containers. Whatever happened to them, I wonder. Of course, galvanized pails are probably considered antiques now, and who uses a wash tub in this day of synthetic containers and washing machines.
At any rate, the kidney beans are baking in a different pan, and from the aroma throughout the house, I am sure they will be just fine. The cold, wet month has been the perfect weather for chowders and baked beans. One would think it was October. No one will be quoting that poem which starts, “What is so fair as a day in June…”
It’s a good time to be thankful if you aren’t depending on raising your own produce – imagine what the price of potatoes will be come fall, with all this rain. Seed potatoes will have turned to jelly in their little hills. Hopefully out in Idaho they’ve had better weather for growing spuds. I remember years when whole gardens (corn, string beans, cukes, tomatoes, squash, onions, lettuce) have had to be replanted due to rainy weather like we’ve had. And the hay crops will be tremendously affected.
Probably in August we’ll be wishing for a little of this cool weather. Let’s hope so.
See you next week.
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