I have said it before – my calendar looks rather inky. I cannot seem to find many spots where there is not something written and the events keep coming.

This weekend is one of my favorite events of the year – the annual Music Boosters’ Chicken Barbeque. We are all praying for good weather, though a local meteorologist doesn’t seem to think we have much going on our side.

This Sunday, June 3rd, will start with a small crew at a local town park. There will also be a small crew at the local high school. The crew at the park will set up tents and cover tables for a serving line. The crew at the high school will load a bus with instruments. By 11, maybe even earlier, we will all be at the park. The sound system will be set and the chicken on the fires. Noon starts sales of chicken dinners to the public and the musical performances. We will have different school music groups take the “stage” every half hour. At the same time, volunteers will man a service line that includes a half chicken, baked beans, cole slaw and roll with a drink.

Monies raised go to help support music in our schools. If you are in the Endicott/Endwell area of the Southern Tier of NY, drop in at Highland Park on Hooper between 12 and 6 on Sunday. If it rains, we will be at the high school.

It is beautiful outside – already 60F which is unusual for this time of year where I live. I am on my way…. to Niagara Falls. It is one of my favorite road trips and I make it about 12 times a year.

I am heading to Lewiston and Niagara Falls to pick up my daughter. Then, we will cruise down to Amherst and get her twin brother. Then, on our way home, we will pick up their older brother in Syracuse.

What a trip!!

Yes, it is true! Memorial Day weekend is upon us which means so is the unofficial start to the summer season and I can’t wait.

First, this is the only weekend all summer that all of my kids will be home. My three oldest are not coming home from college this year – one is taking summer courses, one is working at her school and one graduated and has a real job.

Second, my sister, who really doesn’t live far from me – three hours away in Jersey, is coming to visit for about 24 hours. She swears this is all the time she has to spare. That may or may not be true but we seldom see each other even though she now lives on the east coast. At least when she lived on the west coast, there was an excuse.

Third, I am going to a big bash at the Canasawacta Country Club. Sounds fancy and probably is sort of but not really. My father and a close friend are retiring from volunteer fire service and there is a big party to go with it. This will be great fun!

Fourth, my girlfriend always throws a huge picnic on Memorial Day – along with July 4th and Labor Day. She is out of town this weekend but her dear hubby is throwing the party anyway and we are all invited. What great fun!

What are your plans for the weekend?

My spring road trips have been few and far between for me. Normally, spring consists of trips every weekend. This year, there have been three so far. There was the March trip to Niagara Falls for my daughter’s first honor society induction. This was a quick day trip. There was the weekend trip to New Paltz in April. Then, there was a recent overnight trip back to Niagara Falls for another honor society induction.

This weekend’s road trip is a quick run up Interstate 81 to Syracuse. My oldest is graduating from college this weekend. I am heading out sometime after noon today for today’s portion. I tend to make many trips because I just can’t see staying in Syracuse in a hotel. I will go back and forth. He is not coming home as he has a job and it is in Syracuse.

Next weekend is a Thursday trip to Buffalo and Niagara Falls for picking up college kids for the weekend and then a trip to Norwich for a retirement party for my father and a friend of his on Saturday.

Summer road trips are being planned. Stay tuned!

I say I dread this and, in some ways, I do but it is a necessity. I have to go shopping. I am looking for a dress to wear to a retirement party to be held at a country club. That is a bit more “dressiness” than my normal clothing is but it is okay because, while I am not a big shopper, I like the idea that I have something in mind and I have a goal to meet.

My father and a good friend of his have been active in the fire service in their community forever it seems. They have both retired – a strange term since what they had were volunteer posts but none the less. There is a big party coming!!

The retirement party is to be held Memorial Day weekend at the local country club. I have tons of dress clothing but nothing really summery and nothing that is suitable to wear to something like this so I am off to shop tonight.

I just realized this morning that there is nothing going on tonight so I can make dinner and then head to the mall and the parkway. I am looking for a nice summery dress and possibly a new pair of shoes also. Can’t wait!!!