Friday April 26, 2024 
Memoirs of an Amnesiac: Butterflies from Heaven?
When my Dad passed away in 1987, he and Mom had just retired to England and bought a little bungalow which suited them. That’s where he collapsed suddenly from an aneurysm. It was a tiny bungalow, but now Mom felt lost in it. Everywhere she turned, she expected to see him; but he wasn’t there. Her next-door neighbor recommended that Mom visit a local fortune-teller named Mary Melton. Compared to fortune-tellers who talk in vague generalities, Mary was famous for being detailed–and often accurate. She might offer Mom some guidance.
What Mary Melton said was that Mom should watch for butterflies–especially at a time or place where you wouldn’t normally expect to see one. It would be a sign that Dad was watching over her.
I used to phone Mom every Sunday morning, and one Sunday in December she said, “It’s the strangest thing! Somehow a butterfly has gotten into the house, and it won’t leave me alone. It keeps following me from room to room, and at one point it even landed on my shoulder!” Ironically, Mom had a phobia of flying creatures, and couldn’t wait ‘til this one disappeared.
Fast-forward to August 8, 2012; what would have been Dad’s 99th birthday. I kept thinking about him, and sent up a prayer hoping that he was OK, wherever he was. Then I went outdoors to work on my house. From across the road I noticed a monarch butterfly, and it appeared to notice me. (If you knew my Dad, you’d understand why it had to be a monarch.) It flew directly across the road and circled me a few times, close enough to land on my shoulder. I said, “Hi, Dad!”, then it was gone.
When it comes to fortune-tellers and guardian angels, you’re free to scoff. But I’m keeping my mind open.
Ron McKee, Averill Park
Preserve Zoning Plan
I live next door to the place requesting a special use permit for a commercial party barn. One to two hundred people would be using the barn. That is much more than the current population of Barnes Road. It’s a massive influx of people for a little country road.
This type of establishment is totally incompatible with an agricultural district, and especially on a very rural side road. It would be better located on Route 4 or Route 9, which are more commercial areas.
Our neighborhood is composed of small family farms and family homes. A commercial entertainment facility does not belong here. I do not want this next to the land I have so carefully preserved.
Sincerely
Rodger Sutton, West Sand Lake
No Party Barn in Our Backyard
I am a neighbor of the property requesting permission to change their zoning to allow them to open a party barn. As I understand it, up to 200 people would be driving to and from this barn and playing music and drinking.
The proposed party from where people would be partying is directly across from our back yard. We would see the barn and it’s activity from our house. The noise would occur every weekend in the summer and into the night. We enjoy the quiet of living in the country and that would be ruined.
The party barn would change the area. I don’t know if I would feel safe having kids near the road with all those people driving. Especially since they won’t know the road or the speed limit, and are likely to have had a few drinks.
I strongly oppose this special request. I hope you will reject this request. This type of place does not belong ina rural setting.
Sincerely
Carl Ublacker, West Sand Lake
My flower, my wife
A rose may bloom red
while a violet may bloom blue
Yet no flower has ever bloomed
more beautiful than you
Walter De BELL, Troy
Olive’s Big Brother (Walter H. Bethel)
He wasn’t a movie star
he didn’t record a hit song
He was just her big brother
in her eyes he could do no wrong
It was December 7th nineteen forty-one
he was only seventeen years old
When Pearl Harbor cried out
so he put his young life on hold
Proudly he joined the Navy
a Destroyer became his home
Instead of shagging flies in the outfield
the high seas are now where he would roam
Now when she lays down to sleep
if he should die before she wakes
She prays to the Lord each night
he big brother’s soul he takes
When off the coast of Nova Scotia
on August the 22nd of nineteen forty-two
The USS Ingraham received their orders
to help with a search and rescue
The USS Buck and a merchant vessel had collided
so the Ingraham had to act quick
The ocean waters were ice cold
and had a fog that was pea soup thick
But the Ingraham’s fate was sealed
by the USS tanker Chemung
When the tanker crashed into the destroyer
her big brothers life was over before it even begun
Now when she lays down to sleep
if he should die before she wakes
She prays to the Lord each night
her big brothers soul he takes
Eleven of the Ingraham’s crew survived the wreck
two hundred and forty-three never came home
One of them was her big brother
she still thanks God he wasn’t alone
Stories say her big brother was a boxer
he beat the best on every tin can
Sounded like her big brother
was shaping up into a fine man
But that August night changed her life
some things are just meant to be
She never saw her big brother again
his body was lost at sea
Now when she lays down to sleep
if she should die before she wakes
She prays to the Lord each night
it’s her soul he takes
Walter De BELL, Troy
Money – The Change Maker
Even though it’s only legal tender
It effects every age and every gender
It can be used for good and bad
Or leave you feeling like you’ve just been had
It tries to control every facet of your life
Pretending to be a necessary vice
Money can cause war but it doesn’t buy peace
Yet possessing it brings you no release
Don’t let the lack of cash bring you pain
Because the desire for it will drive you insane
If you let money be your master
Your life might be a disaster
The things that satisfy, money just can’t buy
If you were a spendthrift
You would let your money go adrift
Then there’s the miser who won’t spend a dollar
When he has to, he will hoot and holler
Most of us use money to pay the bills
And what’s left over buys us some cheap thrills
Volumes have been written about
What the evil of loving money can do
Heed the warning and don’t let this happen to you
Rich people try to use money to get their way
Only to find out later there’s a bigger price to pay
A wise man builds up eternal treasures
Far greater than earthly pleasures
If money is what you crave, you tend to misbehave
Use your money for change, but don’t let it change you
Do what is right and stick to what is true
Money has a purpose and a place
But it should never be used to control the human race
I pray that the world seeks
Riches far greater than wealth
And God bless everyone with happiness and good health
Donna Masters, Troy