ANGELS?

Are angels real?  And is there one for my stupidity/  All hipped up and ready to go to Kroger for a peck of squash(that is how much it will take) for my contribution to the big Thanksgiving feast.  Casserole.  What would you do without them to feed a crowd.  Last count 25.  Anyway back to stupid.  I pressed some button wrong and my horn would not stop blaring and so early in the morning.  I pressed every button till I found the right one.  Took a while and I was wide awake by then.  On to Kroger down the Colony Parkway when I noticed red lights come on the panel/.  On and off.  What did it say?  I raced on to Kroger.  I got out and the panic button went off again.  I could not stop it.  An Angel (I know) stopped and took my remote and pressed the same button I was pushing franticly. Silence.   Hooray again.  On to shopping and out to home and two buttons went wild but thankfully no noise this time so I decided to head home fast as I could.  An Angel at the entrance I had never seen before came out at my motioning even though it was cold and was kind enough to show me my hazard button.  He remarked what a nice car I had and I said it was new (to cover my not knowing where my buttons were.  Please Lord, it is two. almost three years old so forgive me for telling him it was new.  Anyway, I considered him my second Angel for the day.  It takes an Army of them to watch over me.  I just put together vegetable soup.  Just in case I need it.   HAPPY THANKSGIVING everyone.  I hope to see most of you for dinner tomorrow at M.G. and  Ryan's.

BETTY BOOP

COLD DAY

I heard two ladies on the elevator complaining about the building being cold.  "When are they going to turn on the heat?"  They said.  Well the heat can be turned on by working the thermostat in each apartment.  I did not say that, because you can't convince some people when they have made up their mind.  Church was good,  Rod always does it for me.  Lunch with Paul, Sophie and Amy.  We ate at a favorite--Mr. Chen's,  The shrimp and veggies is the best.  I drank a pot of tea.  It was cold outside--tea time.  Nice nap and  then to visit friends who need a visit and can't get out like I can.  Thank the Lord I can still go as I please.  My new friend, Eva M. and old friend Middie C. and also Irene made for a pleasant afternoon.  Still full from lunch, I had a funny little supper.  Half of a cheese sandwich and a plate of fruit with (since I had no cottage cheese) sour cream mixed with a little mayo.. Good sub. 

Betty Boop 

NOEMBER 23--1946-2013

Today is the anniversary of out marriage.  Sixty seven years ago at 2:00 P.M. we stood before the preacher in my parents home on N. Jefferson street in Jackson, before family and close friends and promised to love, honor, for the rest of our lives.  How that love grew and grew till March 2011 when God needed him more than me if that is possible.  How young and naive we were.  What a wonderful life we had.  Some sad, frustrating, and struggling but that only makes love stronger.  Even after death I am closer than ever before to him.  You know about my "Memory Bank".  I visit it from time to time but try to live in the "Now" and not in the past too much.  So here's to love and marriage-when it is good it is the best.  Enough of that.  Hope to see you all soon.

Betty Boop

OFF DAY

I don't get many days when nothing exciting is planned.  I have to admit that it feels good sometimes to do what I want to do.  Of course that is a given anytime, but you know what I mean.  Nobody is expecting something from me.  I think it is a good thing, but too many in a row would not fly. 

Betty Boop

SUNDAY, SUNDAY

Church was good,  Thanksgiving pot luck lunch after was so good.  Paul, Sophie, M. G., Ryan, Amy and me all at one table had a mini get together.  M. G. is on a cooking streak.  I guess getting ready for Thanksgiving at their house.  She made that old time favorite, Chicken Spectacular and her now famous Apple Pie, also sweet potato casserole.  My  it was all good.  She is a real cook now.  I brought home nothing in my pot but Lima bean juice.  Always a hit.  The list is growing for Thanksgiving.  I would be in a panic with this many coming if it were me.  No I take that back, we always had a crowd.  How could I forget that.  Of course I forgot to go to the "Memory Bank".  That is what it is for.  Good memories are always better later than when they are being made.  You forget the frustrations and remember the best.  Same way with raising children.  You forget the bad part and remember the best.  I don't often wish for our big house and wonderful back yard and lake, but times like this I do.  So be it!!

Betty Boop

JINGLE ALL THE WAY

Merry Christmas to you a little early.  I helped as a member of the MAKE GOOD THINGS BETTER COMMITTEE (catchy title)  yesterday start to put up lights.  We do love lights.  Out back by the lake we put them everywhere.  Resident egret will have to fine another place to perch.  Oh no, he will love the Christmas tree on the pier that is made of lights.  Next Saturday we will finish up the front and the court yard.  Such fun to work along side of friends doing something everyone appreciates  I hope. 

We are having a Thanksgiving lunch after Church service.  Bet it will be good.  I am taking Lima beans.  Always go fast.  Rain will not stop us today.

Betty Boop

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

I wish you all could have seen the beauty I woke up to.  You know the big green space across  the Lake.  It was white as snow with frost this morning.  I heard the weather report the night before and he predicted frost.  I knew I could see it if I got up early enough.  I did and all the grass all around as far as I could see was white.  So pretty.  Of course it faded when the sun came up.  I do wish I could sleep through the night--but alas, I can't.  So I took advantage of waking early this morning.  Such a small thing, but yet big to me. 

Back down--I went to Wal-Mart early afternoon.  It seems 1:30 is a good time to go.  No kids and soccer Moms--just us old folks. 

Betty Boop

CLOSET SALE

It is always fun to have a closet sale.  We had a giant one today.  All proceeds go to the Employee Christmas fund.  I hope it did good.  Had a lot to sell.   I am a Trustee on the Christmas Fund and I get to sign, along with three other residents the checks and distribute them next month.  That will be a pleasure.  Our employees are the best anywhere.  They are so pleasant and helpful  and do such a good job.  We are not allowed to tip so this is one way to give to them.  There are other ways we raise money for the, too. 

Amy brought me copies of my latest poem to read to the Writers Group today and she brought stuff to make a Taco salad.  I just finished eating it and it was so good.  She is always feeding me.  Things have sort of  turned around since I used to send little additions to her meals long ago.   They say what goes around ---comes around.  So now it is coming  around to me.  Feels kind of good.  I have not completely stopped sending it around but not as fast. 

Betty Boop


THE LAKE

I am happy to have a view of the Lake

I've lived on one before.

New memories I must make

New sights and much, much more,

 

Sometimes the waves look very large.

Like they could really push a barge.

And look, could that be a Pirate ship?

Up and down it seems to dip.

 

When the wind blows just right.

I look and a sailboat is in sight.

As it rolls and yields to the wind.

A veiled message it seems to me send.

 

When the wind churns the water just right,

And the sun shines very bright,

I see a most lovely sight

Diamonds sparkling in the light.

 

Dot Ellis 

Creative Writers Group

 



VETERANS' DAY PROGRAM

Imagine my happy face when I looked up to see M. G. and Ryan seated up front and then Amy and Candy suddenly were there too.  Our program went well and we sang good, they say.  I wish I could hear us sometime.  They laughed at me sitting on the front row next to the tallest lady in the choir.  The stage had a screen on it and we had to sit right up close to everyone.  The place was packed.  How starved are we for entertainment.?  No really it just shows you the spirit and support we have for our veterans.  So many of our generation were touched in some way by war. Any way Amy and Candy  stayed to visit and then to lunch.  I enjoyed the visit.  We talked and laughed a lot.  I am glad we were on the terrace by ourselves.  If the weather people don't scare it off with all the talk, we may have close to a freeze tonight.  We do get excited by cold weather here.

Betty Boop

SUNDAY (already?)

It does seem to come around fast.  I am really glad.  To have lots to do and strength to do it is a blessing.  Sometimes I don't feel very strong.  That is sometimes my own fault.  I always say  thoughts create emotions.  So true.  But how do you control your thoughts?  Tell me and you will really have the answer. 

Lunch at M. G,'s and Ryan's house was good.  Mary Grace made an apple pie that was so very good.  First apple pie, she said.  Hit the spot for sure.  I delivered flowers to my new neighbor.  She was pleased.  Then another to a long time resident who has been especially good to me.       We sing this morning for Veteran's Day at a special program.  Veteran are special too so many here. 

RED WHITE and BLUE day.  We all in the Choir are to wear those colors in some combination.  Can't wait to see that. 

Betty Boop

LOVLEY DAY

What beautiful weather.  Just the day for adventure.  Since I get very little of that, today was a real treat.  Number 2 daughter, Jan, picked me up at 10 and we went to see my Humana agent and locked a better deal. we think.  Not as bad a change as I was expecting.  Then we traveled on to the Mississippi Farmers' Market at the Fair Ground,  It was fun and colorful.  Jan bought goat milk soap at two different places.  I bought Louisiana tangerines and Mississippi tomatoes , I had one for supper and it was o,k, but not as good as I expected.  We were getting hungry and stopped at Keifer's for gyros.  We sat outside and it was perfect.  I have never had as good a Gyro as today.  Yum.  Business was very brisk but we had good service.  Then we were feeling pretty good. so Jan took me to the new Belhaven building to show me how to navigate the parking garage.  It is a new place and I have not been there before.  That taken care of we went to the busy little place called Fondren..  What fun.  It has changed so much since the early days.  If I were young again, I would like to live there.  We went in this cute little shop and bought some more soap. Not goat milk this time.  Sophie gave us all some of this soap at her bridesmaid luncheon.  I bought some and so did Jan.  Tired and satisfied we came home to a nap for me.  Jan was supposed to clean her house, but she said a nap sure sounded good too.  I haven't had a "jaunt" like that lately and I really enjoyed it.  Thank you Jan.  I loved it. And I do smell so sweet after trying my new soap.  I think Jan has a good supply now, so don't give her soap for Christmas.  Oh, maybe that is just what she wants more of.

Betty Boop  

THIS AND THAT

I was sitting in the "bubble" drinking coffee and watching the beauty before me.  I am waiting for Jan to pick me up and we will go to the Insurance man and tie up new insurance coverage,  Then we will go to Jackson to the Farmer's Market at the fair ground.  I Haven't been there in a while.  Should be fun.  Then we will have lunch someplace.  I have an annual physical next week and my doctor has moved to a new building.  Jan will drive by there and put me at ease on how to find my way there.  Sounds like a good day.  Oh yes, as usual my imagination gets out of hand and I was wondering about the ducks I just saw on the lake.  Six in a group and way over to the side two.  Did they know a new feeding spot and kept it a secret>  Were they banished from the group for some reason?  Were they on their honeymoon?  Oh how silly.  Then I saw the resident Egret in a cypress tree.  He is usually in one or the other of them that circle the lake.  They are turning a beautiful rust color and he really stands out.  I wondered, as I have many times, if he has a mate. Maybe it is a she? Maybe they take turns at the Lake?  And maybe my favorite--they have a nest in the tree and you just see one at a time.  What do you thin?  This is how I get ideas for poems and stories.  At the moment, a poem is brewing from a comment I heard about these monsters of beauty that we tie so artfully  around our necks.  Lot of possibilities there.  I will keep you tuned in.  Many times I get an idea and it just wont jell.  Well I must go. for now.

Betty Boop

GOOD DAY

Always good when I see my girls.  Amy and M. G. came and had lunch and stayed for a visit.  Jan came in the afternoon and helped me decide on a new plan for my health insurance.  She is good at this and  I am so blessed to have her so willing to help me.  After a pretty good visit with Mr. M.  she took home stuff to read and we will see him on Saturday to make a new deal.  Very tricky, since my needs may change.  You never know what will happen so I need to prepare.  On a lighter note, Amy brought me some shrimp and grits.  I had a feast for supper--instead of that fat laden hamburger we were offered from a local bank.  They put on a hamburger feast once a year which is nice but who could resist shrimp?Exercise class is looming, so I must go.

Betty Boop 

DAY OFF

A day off means--no meetings, programs to attend, no classes to meet and something outside of St. Catherines'  You know, there is really another world out there.  Kind of scary too.  Get real, it was just a trip to hairdresser in Maywood Mart to get my hair cut.  I came back here and covered all that grey that I hate.  Fixed my own lunch.  Can't remember what it was.  But you could care less about that.  Nap and read my romantic novel. (must have one now and again).  Picked up my supper. and watched CMA awards.  Well I watched it on mute and read that book.  It is funny and good too, when I went down to pick up my mail and supper, so many people said where have you been all day. , I missed you.  Now isn't that just grand?  Well I guess I can't be missed today, I have a meeting this morning and then one this afternoon with my Humana agent.  Thank goodness for Jan.  She will be here to help me understand the changes I can expect.  OOOh me, I just hope the new cost will be affordable, because insurance is my lifeline now.  Well I must get with it..

Later
Betty Boop

LITTLE BITES

Amy mentioned in a recent blog her memory of my Mother feeding her little "bites" of food for breakfast.  That goes way back to my own childhood,  I wrote a short story about it in my little book to my Grandchildren called  CHILDHOOD MEMORIES OF LITTLE DOT. Do  any of you still have it?  I wrote a story called SHE WAS A "PICKY' EATER.  Mama would do anything to get me to eat more.  I was always so much smaller than kids my age.  I think I have mentioned that before.  I had fun with that little book with the figures I drew.  Not quite stick figures and not real art either.  If  you find it dear grandchildren, read it again.  It was for you.

Betty Boop

BUSY DAY

I have mentioned this before.  Monday's are just too full.  I am tired and I wont to go to bed.  I dare not go at 9:00.  I guess the time change has affected me.  It seems strange to wake in the morning and it is daylight.  It also throws my diet off.  Maybe I will soon adjust.  They are making a display in the glass case downstairs of Veteran's pictures.  Truman was one of the first. I took one in his white uniform with his hat cocked to the side.  My he looked so young.  All the men look so young.  War is an terrible thing.  I hope we have no more, yet it seems we can't avoid it.  It makes no sense at all.  We are working on a Veterans Day program and the choir is singing a program of songs.  We will be dressed in red, white, and blue.  Your choice.  Should be good.  I am getting a hair cut Wednesday or else I will have to get a dog collar.  I have really gone past my time to get it cut.  O Lord why am I telling you all this stuff?  I think I need sleep.  Good Night

Betty Boop

ANOTHER FIRST

MG for breakfast.  Not a first but first time in a while.  Always fun.  The real first was my great-grand-son came for lunch!!Brody was not very impressed.  When he woke during lunch, he said "wha! wha!, where am I?"  He let us know he did not approve.  He looked so cute in a navy sweat set with a jacket with hood and cute beige shoes.  Neither mama or grand momma could convince him he was safe here.  Can't blame him, all these creepy people gazing at him.  I did feel sorry for Cary, when we hurried down these usually quiet halls with Jan holding him and even her famous rock-a-by swing did not sooth.  Up the elevator and into the apartment we went.  Still did not like it one bit.  It worries no one to hear a baby cry here, In fact some said it sounded good and I think it was a rare sweet sound.  One we don't mind at all.  I hope the car ride soothed him.  It usually does.  Next visit he will be up to it and will love the attention.  I am glad they came and they are welcome any time.  Well I hope you got with the time change.  I like waking up to daylight. 

Betty Boop