We are cheerful early birds, not morning grumps

SCHOHARIE — At the Your Way Café in Schoharie, north of the village and south of the Apple Barrel and the Carrot Barn, served cheerfully and capably by Justine and Amber, and probably an unsung hero in the kitchen, we gather at a couple of central tables and around the edges at smaller tables mostly suitable for four unless somebody needs to be squeezed in.

Sunny day it was, yet still that nip in the air.

As we approach the Your Way, our eyes are caught by the first of the season’s lovely restored cars, finally safe from salt and the threats from wintery roads. Picture shared with The Enterprise, compliments of the owner, and photographer.

We see each other frequently passing by in cars, usually not so fast anymore, enjoying the scenery more and more, not so much in a hurry, and, to get to the subject, waving at each other. It’s the wave that catches our attention as being specific and unique to the waver.

There’s the one finger raised over the steering wheel; non-committal, not overly anxious to engage. Then there’s the upward hand flap characteristic of a particular bygone Hilltowner; an, “OK your’re there OK, OK” sort of acknowledgement.

Then we have seen the full wave along with a wide-open-mouth hello. Wow, that’s worth venturing out in your car to experience, and kudos to the waver for that enthusiasm and hearty commitment.

What we are not is der Morgenmuffel, a word of the day from somewhere out in internet land, describing persons who are grumpy in the mornings and don’t like to wake up early.

We are pretty cheerful and optimistic about it, mostly; in fact, many of us report being up at 5 or 5:30 a.m. and ready to roll, or dodder; probably not hop or skip along. That would make us Morgenmenschen. That’s plural for people who like mornings.

Donating blood

Ticks could be the headliner today, except that an individual OMOTM had a rather personal interaction which can only be reported in a general sort of way with respect for the victim and sensitive readers. The bottom line is that tick removal was successful using a little plastic removal tool, and then some tape to securely confine and bring the little beast to a final conclusion.

Watch out for ticks, or you too could have an unwanted, all-too-personal altercation, and possibly ensuing medical conditions not to be taken lightly.

Some of us donate blood more voluntarily from time to time, and of course this can go both ways, but a common participant of course in this adventure is the nurse who must find the vein in the first place.

This can be nothing or something, depending on the skill of the practitioner, and of course also due to the accessibility of said vein. Which brings us to a new worry, just brought to our attention: rolling veins, which, as the term implies, move somehow in the act of making that important connection.

Oh boy, maybe don’t focus on that too much when your next time for a blood draw presents itself.

Advice on aging

On the subject of aging, it was discussed that somehow keeping the weight off gets to be more of an issue as we stick around longer and move around less, but still love our meals. There must be a solution to this, but oh, the allure of the recliner.

Much is made of the learning that can occur in these OMOTM circles, and the latest bit of enlightenment to come our way involves putting sand in paint for stair treads or grab bars.

Falling has become much less enjoyable of late for many here, and the sand in the paint could be a valuable safeguard. And this kind of useful information is free with breakfast on most Tuesday mornings.

Speaking of falling, we hear that another bygone Hilltowner used to say that, after you fall, you should make use of the moment; to capitalize on the opportunity, to see if there isn’t something you could be doing while you’re down there.

Driving for the last time is a reality we agree that many of us will face if we keep plodding along or rolling along in this case. How is this decision made, and by whom?

Living in the hills, remotely, as most of us do, transportation is quite vital, so this is not a small consideration. Some of us carpool to breakfast, so that may offer a graceful transition period.

This would be a good time to interject a bit of wisdom shared on Tuesday morning from an OMOTM who says, “I’m so old, I don’t even buy green bananas.”

And, here, in Schoharie, we, not der Morgenmuffel but Morgenmenschen at the Your Way Café, where we have enjoyed a great start to our day, great coffee service and food, on a bright sunny, though still chilly morning, we, the apparent survivors of another long winter are: Harold Guest, Wally Guest, Ed Goff, Glenn Patterson, Will Lichliter, Roger Shafer, Robert Schanz, Pastor Jay Francis, Al Schager, George Washburn, Frank A. Fuss, Joe Rack, Mark Traver, Roland Tozer, Warren Willsey, Frank Dees, Chuck Batcher, Miner Stevens, John Jazz, Gerry Cross, Jack Norray, Bob Donnelly, Allan DeFazio, Dave Hodgetts, John Dab, Paul Guiton, and me. And we are heard to say, “Sure hope to see you next week,” as we pay up and venture out into the sunshine.