Cato

I would like to write a little bit about my Grandpa and Cato, New York where he lives. My Grandpa Bob is 85 and has lived on a 150 acre farm in upstate NY for about 50 years. He is a retired farm, which means he rents out the land to other farmers and he has a few animals that he "monkeys" with. He spends most of his day sleeping, because he is old and has had a physically hard life. Now, a days he spends about 4 hours a day outside with his animals. He has a sheep, 4 dogs, rabbits, doves, and racing pigeons. My grandpa is the best story teller and one of the finest people I have ever met. He has his flaws, but nothing like the rest of us.

Unfortunately, he needs more help with his health, home, and animals than he can provide on his own. And, since I lived with him for 3 years when I was 16 to 19, I can see a huge difference in him. But it is hard because he is stuborn and wants his independance. And all his family wants him to keep his independance. So it is a delicate situation.

And of course it is strange for me because I imagine that this is the last time I will see him in this world. And he is my favorite. In the world. I don't want him to have problems with his health.

Cato, is a small town. 500 people. 1 stop light. 2 churches. 1 cemetary. 1 diner. 1 bar. 1 ice cream stand. It is between Weepsort and Plainville. Are you starting to imagine this? It is no joke that Walmart is the biggest town around!!! Cato is such a departure from Los Angeles. It is good to have perspective on different lives. Most people from here have never been out of NY state, except to go to Florida. And most people in LA have never been to a small sticks town like Cato. Both have good and bad. One of my old friends from Cato has never had Indian food! But, he is content with the simple life. So is it that bad?

My mom and I are here. Doing chores, cleaning, laughing, watching sunsets and fireflies. Killing bees, listening to stories, giving our relatives mole' to try (I don't think they liked it). It is different.