FIRST STOP--MCDONALD'S

Tradition, don't you know.  Then Felix's for lunch.  Then Loxley.  I do like that stop.  I feel so rich when we go out with watermelon. peaches, corn, potatoes, tomatoes, and lots more.  I just may have trouble sleeping tonight.  I would guess that this "OLD GIRL" needs to get away.  What better place to go than to the Beach with my family.  Just wish HEAD HONCHO could be there too.  We will miss him and will think of him too.  We are so lucky to have this time together.  People I tell about it say they do not believe it.  Now I have met a few here who do the same kind of thing, but not many.  This is my last post--see you all soon.

Betty Boop

BETTER LUNCH PARTNERS TODAY

Yes I had a nice lunch with two friends and two more joined us too.  Blackened catfish brings people to the Cyber.  They know how to steam veggies too.  I have had a full day already.  Breakfast with Darlene.  She is going out of town for two weeks/  One week while I am gone.  We like our breakfast together.  I then took off  to Freshway for produce to take to GS;s  Then to the bank for cash and then to Kroger for a ham to take with us.  Then to  Walmart to finish my list.  I got back in time to have lunch with my friends and then a nap.  I made pimiento cheese for a crowd!!  Now I am baking peanut butter cookies.  In between I am checking off my list.  Boy I did not know I could still do so much.  If I am not careful, I will run out of steam and be a rag doll.  I hear we will have rain next week.  You know how that is on the beach.  It blows off quick  and gives you time to rest a bit.  Anyway, see you all soon.

Betty (busy) Boop
P.S. it is still just 3 o'clock!!!

GOING CRAZY

As  much as I have packed over the years. you would think I could do this with ease.  Yes, Yes, I do have a list.  I still get rattled.  Maybe like the three ladies I just had lunch with.  One was a perfect delight.  One was a bit of a complainer.  And one was just plain "nutty"  Well, one out of three is not very good odds, but I had a few laughs.  I wonder what they thought of me?  Good question.  I really don't need to know the answer.  The nutty one said she had 7 children.  I guess I will excuse her.   O my do I need a vacation.  New conversations would be good.  Not the ones I am used to.  Pills, gaining too much weight, my neighbor is crazy, her dog barks too much, the food is getting worse  no better,  I need a new book....... the list goes on and on.  See you later, I need a nap.

Betty {let's go)
Boop

MAKING A LIST---CHECKING IT TWICE (maybe three)

Yes I live by a list, lest I forget.  But who is responsible for making the list?  Still not foolproof.  I have learned that if I have my pills and eye drops, I am good to go.  So they top the list.  A big group of residents left on a beautiful tour bus this morning.  Their destination--Texas.  They will tour the new Bush Library among many other places.  I had no desire to go.  My real traveling days are over.  I am satisfied that Truman and I saw most every place in the world that we desired.  O yes, their are many places we did not  go to but for the most part we saw the best.  I am not up to the pace of group travel and really I never did like that anyway.  Irene and Cecil were our perfect travel companions.  I will always treasure the memories of traveling the U. S. in our motor homes.  We visited every state except Hawaii together.  Later Truman and I did go there on tour.  Truman was always proud that a poor little farm boy like he was could travel the world over.  He had the desire to travel, he always said from being in the Navy and never having been out of Mississippi, he saw so much ,  Most of  it with me.  How great is that?  So here I go again to the Beach with the people I love best!!  SO HERE WE GO--GET READY.

Betty  ( getting ready) Boop

EXCUSE ME AGAIN

Well I am preaching again.  Not really, but have been thinking about the beach a lot.  I seem to be looking forward to it more than since Truman died.  You know how he loved to get the family together.  How he could sleep in the recliner there and just tune out the noise and sleep?  It was a good escape for him too.  How he loved it.  To me the surf and sand are O. K. , but it is the clouds that fascinate me.  Even here every day I look and watch them.  I can not say this to anyone but you, but I feel Truman up there.  I know he is in the presence of God and I am unable to comprehend that but I accept it.  Not everyone gets to see the ocean and sand like we do, but anyone can look up and see the sky and clouds.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said and I quote "The sky is the daily bread of eyes."  Isn't that good?  Somehow looking up makes me feel secure, I can sense the order of the world and God's hand in it all.  On days when there are no clouds--I guess God has sent Truman on another mission or two and I wont see him peeking through a cloud at me as I like to believe sometime.   O.K.-- end of sermon.  Now I will get ready to go to real Church.

Betty Boop

SATURDAY

Breakfast with friend Darlene.  We enjoy that we are among the few who like to get up early and come down for breakfast.  Plus when the blood-sugar allows I get to have blueberry pancakes.  Doesn't take a lot to make me happy and start the day off right.  Can't wait till this next Saturday.  Off we go to the beach.  It is so wonderful that we have this fun tradition for so long.  I think it is the 27th year.  Am I right?  My how we have changed and gotten bigger.  Two little girls under two to delight us this year. I really do want some boiled shrimp with potatoes and corn.  Nothing better.  There is no other feeling like the sound of the surf and the warm sand.  When I want to feel calm--I bring up that scene.  Jan is coming and we are going to the Dollar Tree for a few surprises.  We will have lunch in the Cyber too .

While there is nothing so good as to remember good times, I am reminded of something I read just this morning.  "I will try to be fully present to this day--this day is precious in itself and different from any other day I have had or will have."  Now while that is so true, I believe memories are important as is looking to the future.  It takes it all.  So be it.

Betty (can't wait) Boop

BITS AND PICES

First, Paul's publication, FIND IT IN FONDREN is out and  his interview with me (and picture) is really good.  I am so pleased to be on those beautiful pages.  I have spread it around here and have gotten some very nice comments.  Thank you Paul and Sophie too.  I have done two interviews of my own with new residents.  I have enjoyed it.  I was a little scared to try this and I hope I put it down on paper.  People really open up and love to tell you their "stories".  We will see how they turn out on paper.  Next I am goint to get a "beach haircut"  this morning.  Trying to get ready for the big week.  I am looking forward to it.  Hope you all are too.

Betty (no bathing beauty) Boop