I was walking my Yorkie poodle today at lunchtime in Snellville, Georgia, and my neighbor’s pit bull dog was loose and attacked my dog. She is very severely injured and is having surgery tomorrow, but the vet says she will recover. She is an older dog, and she is in much pain. I want to thank the two #UPS drivers who stopped to help get the pit bull away from my dog!! Thank you so very much for stopping and helping me. You came through at a time when we really needed some help. Thank you very much!
I Love You, Dad: Bruce Babcock, 1943-2021
Bruce Everett Babcock, of Snellville, Georgia, and formerly of Gowanda and Collins, New York, died at his home in Snellville on February 19, 2021 after a brief illness. Babcock was born in Collins, New York on August 13, 1943 to Bernice Gale Briggs Babcock (Sprague) and Charles Albert Babcock. Babcock graduated from Gowanda High School and was married to Anna Krakowiak Babcock for nearly 55 years until her death in 2018. As an employee of the State of New York for 37 years, Babcock worked in different roles. He began as a mental health aide, and later worked as a fireman and stationary engineer at the Power House of the Gowanda Psychiatric Center. After the Center transitioned to a prison, he was employed as maintenance supervisor for the Gowanda and Collins Correctional Facilities until his retirement.
Babcock enjoyed hobbies such as owning, restoring, and showing classic Ford Thunderbirds for many years. He was a member of the Buffalo Thunderbird Club for several decades, taking his black T-Bird to an international car show and being awarded third place. In Snellville, Babcock was a member of the Georgia Cool Cruisers car club, showing his restored Ford Ranger. Babcock was also skilled in carpentry, electricity, painting, welding, plumbing, and stained glass. He apprenticed and worked with Robert Peglowski and Sons of Collins, New York in carpentry for many years as a young man.
Babcock was a wonderful and generous family man who lived for his family, always doing more than what was necessary to help and support them in whatever ways possible. He was the rock of the family. He and Anna moved to Georgia in 2006 to live near their only grandchild, John Robert “Bobby” Nice, III. Babcock loved the outdoors, warm weather, Gaelic music, and NASCAR racing. He additionally enjoyed swimming, boating, landscaping, and Boy Scouts. Babcock loved animals, raising and showing guinea pigs and rabbits in his childhood, and spoiling his Yorkie poodle in later life. He was a merit badge counselor and supporter of Snellville Boy Scout Troop 548. He further enjoyed supporting Bobby in Boy Scouts for conservation and eagle scout projects, as well as Roman Catholic religious accomplishments. Babcock was the godfather and confirmation sponsor for Bobby’s Catholic sacraments.
Babcock is a former parishioner of St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church in Gowanda, and most recently, of St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Lilburn, Georgia. Raised a Quaker, he converted to Catholicism at marriage. Babcock was predeceased by his parents and had no siblings. He is survived by his daughter, Michele Babcock-Nice, of Snellville, Georgia and son, Charles “Chuck” Babcock of Gowanda, New York, as well as his grandson, Bobby, of Snellville, all of whom love him deeply and miss him dearly.
Holiday Sugar Cookies and Recipe
I hope everyone has had some time to relax and enjoy the holiday season. It has been nice to have a few days to spend with family and be grateful for our health, safety, and welfare.
During the holidays, I did some baking, including sugar cookies from my Great Grandmother Bertha’s recipe, which I’ve included here. Feel free to use and copy the recipe as you like.
Frosted and decorated with your favorite icing and candies, these cookies are so yum! You can also double the ingredients to make a double batch, and the cookies turn out great. Enjoy!
Happy Holidays!
I hope that you and yours have enjoyed a safe and happy 2020, and will enjoy an even better 2021! All the best!
Florida in July!
Me with my son at Camp Jackson Sawyer on Scout Key in the Florida Keys, July 9, 2020
I’ve been very busy with life 🙂 for the past couple of years, and haven’t made very many posts lately. However, I’d like to make this post about a trip my son and I took to Florida this summer.
My son at Florida Sea Base, Islamorada, July 1, 2020
It was great to get away to Florida for a few days! Of course, it was very nerve-wracking to go in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, but we did it.
View of Miami from Biscayne National Park, July 8, 2020
My son spent many days at Sea Base in the Florida Keys with his Order of the Arrow honor society through Boy Scouts of America.
My son and Florida panther statue, Everglades National Park, Homestead, Florida, June 2020
It was an experience that we planned on prior to the coronavirus pandemic, and we were still deciding whether or not to go even in the days prior to the trip.
Key West lighthouse, July 2, 2020
Ultimately, we decided to go and be as safe as possible while wearing our masks, neck gaiters, and cotton gloves as much as possible.
Royal Poinciana tree with beautiful orange flowers, Key Largo, Florida, July 6, 2020
In my hotels in South Florida and Key West, I also used Lysol to wipe down all of the high-touch areas, including on each occasion after housekeeping came through to clean and tidy up.
Lizard at Florida Sea Base, July 2, 2020
I’m so thankful and relieved that we could go, have a good time, AND stay safe and healthy, avoiding COVID-19!
Butterfly at the Key West Butterfly and Nature Conservatory, July 2, 2020
I must say that I’ve never been to Florida in the incredible heat of July, so this was a first!
Rhinoceros lizard at The Alligator Farm, Homestead, Florida, June 2020
It was so incredibly hot in South Florida, especially with the Saharan dust blanketing the atmosphere, warming it up like an oven. I knew it would be hot, and it was definitely sizzling!
Parrot at Theater of the Sea wildlife facility in Islamorada, July 6, 2020
Unfortunately, the beaches were closed from Thursday through Monday for Independence Day weekend due to the Florida governor trying to limit the coronavirus spread, so that put a damper on beach plans.
Palm tree with coconuts growing, Bayfront Park, Homestead, Florida, July 8, 2020
However, it was necessary. Coronavirus infections continue to rise and break records in Florida. I eventually got to the beach and got my fill of the sun – within one hour! That was plenty for me. 🙂
Crab at Biscayne National Park, Homestead, Florida, July 8, 2020
In all, it surely was so nice to get away for awhile!
February Snow in Georgia
Snow on the cherry tree, Snellville, Georgia, February 8, 2020
We haven’t seen snow here in Georgia for the past few years. For me, as a Yankee, it’s always a treat to get snow in the South! I definitely miss it, especially the skiing. Both the North and South have their advantages and disadvantages, though I don’t miss the brutal cold of those Buffalo winters.
Snow in Snellville, Georgia, February 8, 2020
Last weekend, though it was 39 degrees Fahrenheit, it was snowing here in Snellville on Saturday morning, February 8, 2020. It snowed for most of the morning – a heavy, wet snow with huge snowflakes. It was so pretty – and was more like what winter should be – rather than the 65 degree Fahrenheit temperatures we have today, less than one week later.
Let it Snow! Snellville, Georgia, February 8, 2020
On February 8, my son was training fellow Boy Scouts at his troop’s bi-annual leadership training event. They also took some time out from their instruction to step outside and have a friendly snowball fight. That’s another good memory to include in my Eagle Scout son’s wonderful experience in scouting! Oh – and by the way – the daffodils are blooming in full force now and the maples are budding out, too…
Early Daffodils & Azaleas in January
Daffodils, Snellville, Georgia, January 13, 2020
Last Monday, January 13, 2020, the first daffodils blossomed here in Snellville, Georgia. Their blooming is about three weeks earlier than usual. There was a warm spell here for about five days prior to their blooming. Temperatures got up to around 65 degrees Fahrenheit as a high.
Small pink azalea bush blooming, Snellville, Georgia, January 13, 2020
Coincidentally, nearly all of the dozens of azaleas on our property were starting to bloom. In the pictures I took of a couple of them, they don’t appear very full of blossoms, but many were just starting to come out.
Small white azalea bush blooming, Snellville, Georgia, January 13, 2020
By this week, we were back to the cold again. The cold snap that got down to about 25 degrees Fahrenheit two days ago took all of those azalea blossoms away. There are none now. Surprisingly, however, the daffodils are still in bloom. They survived the cold, for now.
Global warming is real. This weather is definitely not normal. There were even two Japanese maples that were trying to bud out last week. Now, they’ve been frozen back into hibernation again. This is definitely not good. Thankfully, Greta can put a voice to the concerns that so many of us have!
Visiting Ruby Falls in Chattanooga
Ruby Falls, Chattanooga, TN, November 26, 2019
I can’t believe that almost one year has passed since I’ve made my last post on WordPress!
A ceiling view inside Ruby Falls Cave, November 26, 2019
My family and I have been extremely busy this year, and the time has really flown by at an incredible speed – much faster than usual, I’d say.
Formations that resemble tobacco leaves. Ruby Falls Cave, November 26, 2019
It has been a great year, however, and my son and I took a couple of days to enjoy the sites in Chattanooga during Thanksgiving vacation.
Another ceiling view inside Ruby Falls Cave. Notice that some of the formations have been broken off in the past. Tourists were told that people did that in the 1930s during the Great Depression to sell them for money. November 26, 2019
Posted here are some pictures I took while inside the Ruby Falls Cave on Lookout Mountain in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
A formation resembling a leaning tower. Ruby Falls Cave. November 26, 2019
I had never been there before, so I was pleasantly surprised and awed by its beauty.
Formation that looks like an elephant’s foot inside Ruby Falls Cave. November 26, 2019
I’ve toured a few caves in the past, but this is one of the best I’ve seen!
A famous formation in Ruby Falls Cave that people are allowed to touch. November 26, 2019
Please enjoy the pictures, although they don’t do it justice.
Making Another Holiday Cake
A better Christmas cake than last week! December 31, 2018
I’m getting better at decorating these holiday cakes, now. Instead of trying to frost half green and half red, I just decided to frost all red, and make a green Christmas tree, outlined with cinnamon drops.
It really looks much better than my previous one!
Making Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies
Some of my Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookies, December 27, 2018
I’m at it again – baking for most of the day today! It’s the holiday season, and I really would like my family and friends to enjoy some of my goodies.
Some more Christmas Cookies, December 27, 2018
Today, I baked two batches of sugar cookies – from my great grandmother’s recipe. They are absolutely delicious, and even better when they’re frosted!
Cookies cooling after taking them out of the oven, December 27, 2018
Only two of the larger gingerbread man-style cut-outs broke in half, so I did really well keeping everything whole. And, I definitely worked up a sweat more than once today, but the end product is all worth it!
A tray of cookies after being baked, December 27, 2018
Merry Christmas and happy holidays!
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