P. S. to today

How could I miss the icying on the cake.  When they picked me up to go to lunch--I opened the door to Brody standing there holding balloons.  He looked so cute and waked right in and turned them over to me.  What a gift.  Always wanted a big bunch of beautiful balloons.  (with a good looking gentleman attached. Dot

NOT OVER TILL IT"S OVER

I thought the "big 4" party was enough because it was so good, but 11 of us went to lunch at Kristo's and I had a luscious gyro. 
SOOOO good.  What an amazing family I have.  The sign 0n my door, made by Amy declares I am 88.  Still can't believe it.  Not to brag but I have gotten over 35 B-day cards from people here.  Two phone calls and wishes from others here.  I am so blessed. 

Here is a new Haiku poem.

FRESH LINENS

 

Fresh sheets outside my door,

on a rolling cart,

soon will be on my bed.

 

Dot

 

Betty Boop

GOING WACKY

Have you ever tried something new and it was fun and seemed to work out?  Then you do whatever it is over and over till you go a little crazy?  HAIKU has done just that for me.  Maybe it is  a result of having plenty of time and always looking for something new to do, but I can't get this "verse" thing out of my mind.  I will not bore you . but maybe one a day will do it for my readers.  Believe me I have a few written down and more in my mind.

 

SNAKE 

 

The snake slithers down his path

faster on his belly,

than if he had running shoes.

 

DOT

 

 

Now where in the heck did that come from?

  A slightly demented mind

I think.

 

Betty (still trying) Boop

 

 

 



HAIKU

You must remember this is my first try.  What do you think?

SKY

 

Puffy white clouds,

in a sky so blue,

There I find you.

 

WAVES

Small waves, on the Lake,

push to and fro,

Then do it over again.

 

ROOF TOPS

 

Red roofs on top of houses.

Always looking up.

They see what I can not see.

 

  I have more in mind, but these are the first. 

I just had coffee and KING CAKE Now I must walk it off.

 

Betty  (thinks she is a poet) Boop

P. S. Please do not tell her the truth.

KEEP ON LEARNING

BEACH VERSES by George Thatcher was given to me for my birthday by Jan .  She gave me my first one too.  This one is written in the verses called HAIKU.  A Japanese method of writing poems.  Been around for a long time but I was not aware of it.  I learned a lot on Google and now I want to write some that style.  Three lines-do not rhyme.  first line 5 syllables, second line-7 syllables, third line
5 again.  That is all.  Some do put less syllables-that is acceptable.  The real Japanese one are beautiful..  I think I will try and see if I can write a few.  You know I have been tied to everything rhyming .  I thought this would be easy but not as easy as I thought.  But fun.  I must go check on my laundry in the dryer.  Is there a poem there?

Betty Boop

OLD SAYING............

Here is one among the many that I wish I had said.  I first heard it from a minister we had long time ago.  Bill Whaley used it a lot. 
"As a rule, man's a fool, when it's hot he wants it cool:  When it's cool, he wants it hot., Always wanting what is not."  True, true, true.

Went to breakfast this morning with friends.  Omelet with tomato is so good.  Nobody had much to say.  Certainly no wisdom.  You know when you reach your 80's, people assume you have picked up a lot of wisdom.  Not so.  Yes we have lived a lot but most of the time, we have not really learned a lot.  I am learning something new most every day.  Maybe not "pearls of wisdom."  But little tidbits along the way that sometimes mean a lot to me.  A couple were having breakfast and leaving on a cruise this morning.  When I heard it was for bridge players, I just could not believe it.  Two couples from here were going.  One of the wives was said to be going for the ride--not bridge.  Can you imagine?  The only one we ever went on was to Alaska.  And we went for  the scenery --not the food.  It was one of the most beautiful trips we had.  Food was not bad either.  Well you were there and had to eat.  Even the Midnight buffet. 

Betty (dreaming again) Boop

WHAT!! FRIDAY ALREADY?

You remember,  yesterday I was all about SOCK HOP?  I fully intended to go.  I really did.  But when It came time to go--7 PM--
I backed out.  I just fold up after eating  dinner and I know that is early for most, but I hated to go out again.  Like going down stairs was going a long  distance.  It is still going out and starting over.  I have a routine and I guess I am sticking to it.  I heard it was loads of fun.  The new Juke Box is ours and I will hear it again I am sure.  They had a life-sized cut out of Elvis.  I was told everyone wanted a picture with him.  What a sight that must be.  Coke floats, sliders, onion rings and much more.  Students from Madison Central and MRA were dressed in poodle skirts(know what they are?)  I never had one.  .  Any way the girls waited on everyone and they danced to the music and had a band called Jr. Ambassadors playing the music of the 50's.  Those who attended had a ball and some couples danced.  O well, not the first thing I have missed.   Today has been wet and cold.  Good day to stay inside.  I am getting ready to go to dinner a friend who has her sister visiting .  So I must sign off. 

Betty Boop

BIG DAY

BIG DAY

It seem only yesterday when I could cover the Mall in no time and not be tired.  Guess the years are catching up with me.  Amy took me to the Foot Dr. to have my toenails clipped (another new thing) and we went to the Mall for me to buy makeup.  Ended up shopping for a new purse too.  Belk and Dillards seem so much bigger. By the time we were ready to leave I could hardly make it to the car.  I was wiped out and sat in my "blue" chair at home  for a long time just not even moving.  Well I did revive enough to go pick up supper but I went to bed before the news and weather last night.  I guess I am going to have to just  do one extra thing at a time. 

O. K. this morning and had ham and eggs at breakfast with friends.  A lady , new to our group, did nothing but complain.  I really got tired of that.  Poor thing, she needs to look on the sunny side a bit.  We are having a SOCK HOP. tonight. with a real Juke Box.  I am going for the music and see who dances.  I know some who will enjoy the dancing.  Not me.  I never did dance much as a teen.  My Mother did not believe in it.  Well she said it was the places you had to go to dance that  she did not want me to go to. We had dances with the school but I was one of the" not so popular crowd".  I did love the music and still remember all the words to the songs from the 40's and 50's.  Great music especially during WW11.  But I never went to the dances.  Oh well I did enjoy waltzing with my true love to the Tennessee Waltz in our kitchen!!!!    Remembering again.

Betty Boop

LOVELY WEEKEND

Thank you Lord for the beautiful sunshine and such a great weekend.  Can  you imagine --4----count them four birthdays in January.  Linda, Paul, Ryan, and mine.  We celebrated big time.  Good food and much laughter and lots of love.  Girl lunch Saturday with mother and three daughters.  Doesn't get any better but wait dinner at Jan's for 16.  All around one table.(Truman would have loved that.)  Tommy asked questions of all the honorees.  Like what is your favorite childhood memory, favorite movie, song TV program, and so on.  It was fun and enlightening.  Church with Linda and Joe and  Amy at Broadmeadow.  Lunch with Ryan and M.. G. and Jan added.  We really ate the shrimp at SAL & PHYL's  It was a great weekend.  Linda gave me a Betta fish to replace my fish that passed away a while ago.  This one is blue and named Blueberry.  Original?  I am so happy to have such a family.

Betty Boop

MUST SHARE (not preaching)

As I was reading in my devotional book this morning I was thinking another dull and dreary day (I mean the weather.)  Will the sun ever shine again?  As I finished, one of the scriptures read:  The Lord make his face to shine upon and enlighten you and be gracious (kind, merciful, and giving favor) to you.  The Lord lift up his (approving) countenance upon you and give you peace (tranquility of heart and life continually.)   I could not believe what happened next.  THE SUN CAME OUT!!!I mean really bright.  Is that awesome ?  I think so.  My the sun makes a difference.  End of sermon (for today.)

Betty Boop
P. S.  In case you want to know:  Numbers 6: 25-26

MUST SHARE (not preaching)

LUCKY THURSDAY

Why lucky?  Well many reasons but for today I was lucky to have two of my favorites to lunch and to visit.  M. G. and her Mom,my daughter .Amy.  We enjoyed it.  I was struggling to write a Valentine poem for the Villager and they helped me see I needed to go in another direction so I am back to square 1.  Just can't get it going.  Maybe tomorrow.  Hope so.  We are all getting ready for the big Birthday celebration.  Me, Paul, Ryan and Linda all have January birthdays. 

Well I must go as I have gotten hooked on THE BIG BANG THEORY. 

Betty Boop

HAPPY STORY

I was coming from Exercise Class just now and met up with a lady we knew from banking days.  She and her husband went on conventions with us several times.  She told me about one time she went to visit Truman  here in Siena.  He was trying to organize a group and to find them a place to sleep.  Finally he told her that he did not know where they would all sleep but he was going to sleep with Dot.  We had a big laugh and she had tears in her eyes.  My he made an impression on so many people.  I treasure that memory because it was so like him to be in charge of taking care of everyone--especially me.

The rest of the day will take care of itself.  I just have to let go and let it be.

Betty Boop

ANGEL AWARE

Instead of having an Angel in my day, I actually played the part of one.  I wont call myself an Angel but playing the part.  One of my staunch supports of my writings pulled into the parking lot at the same time as me.  She called my name-I waved-and she called again-Help.  I rushed over and she said  she could not get her car in "park".  She has had a minor stroke and her hands wont do what she tells them to sometime.  I am so good with cars Ha Ha.  But I needed to help her.  We were getting cold and needed to get inside.  I slid behind the wheel of her car and put it in Park.  It was different from mine--on the wheel where mine is on the floor, so to speak.  But I did it and she thought I knew what I was doing,  Now we are even better friends.  She is the one who still gives me a wink every time she sees me.  You may remember I wrote a little essay on "Winks" and invited people to give me one when they see me.  Some did for a while, but she does not miss a time.  More "Little Acts of Kindness"  Try it---it will make your day.

Betty Boop

NICE DAY

Church and communion this Sunday.  Just Amy and me.  We ate at Soul Shine, one of our favorite places--no one else likes it.  It was very good today.  I surprised a lady who admired the flowers I was taking to my apartment  with a small arrangement.  She was so touched that she cried.  She said it had been a long time since someone gave her flowers.  I really felt good about it.  Small acts of kindness is the way to go for me.  Went to see Irene.  Now I am home for the night.  Will enjoy soup Amy made and brought me some.  Another small act of kindness.  It goes on and on--never let it end. 

Betty Boop

ALWAYS A GOOD DAY WHEN BRODY COMES

Of course he brings his sweet mother, Cary and this time that other sweet one Jan.  Oh yes, Peggy was here too.  We all had such fun in the Cyber.  Brody can really work a crowd too.  We all love babies and small children to visit,  Makes us happy and young,

It is funny how my "talent" works.  I just sat down and wrote a new subject for an essay,  Something I had never planned.  It was inspired by conversation at breakfast.  You never know where ideas will come from.  The subject was peanut butter.  Of all the "nutty" subjects/  Oh well, I am ready for the next creative writers group meeting.  Maybe it will also be good for the Villager.  These people out here are so forgiving.  I fit right in.

Betty Boop.   

STRANGE DAY

I don't know why, but today  seemed different.  I cooked my own oatmeal and enjoyed it.  Banana and cinnamon makes it good.  Orange juice, wheat toast and turkey bacon and hot tea rounded out what I think was good for me.  Exercise class was as always good.  I took banana nut bread that I baked for coffee group.  Small crowd.  Some are having a hard time getting back in the routine I guess.  I did eat lunch at the Cyber with two friends.  That was nice.  Barbara cleaned my apartment while I read in the Bubble.  O yes I did squeeze a nap in there somewhere. Amy said she was going to drop by, so I am now looking for her to come .  Think I will read my current book and wait for her.  My my  such silly chatter--don't read if it is too "everyday" stuff. That's the way it is, I guess..

Better close and try to do better tomorrow.

Betty Boop

Brrrrrrrrrr

Baby it's cold outside.  But maybe because  I don't have a fireplace any more, I wish I did.  Oh how men love to build fires, and women love to warm their backsides.  Miss that..  The sun is beautiful this morning and it will warm up a bit I think.  I felt like pancakes this morning and I ate them with relish!!  I know I will pay for them in "sugar" dollars and maybe big time.  Maybe not.  Strange thing this blood sugar.  Sometime you just have to have a little.  Oh well, I will walk later and try to ward it off.  I am washing a blanket that I usually keep packed away.  I think it will feel good tonight.  Let me see------anything else?  Yes, I am going to write a poem today.  It has been running around in my head a while and today I will catch it and see  what I can make of it.  Wish me luck.

Betty Boop

MEMORIES

As Amy read the poem I wrote for Ruby at her funeral , I was rushed back in time.  It was a poem I wrote for her 70th birthday.  I wrote one for almost every one of that generation and of course we had a party.  As memories rushed to my mind, I was taken back to a wonderful time right after the WW11.  When we were getting our civilian lives on track.  It really was a great time.  A blessed time to raise children and to grow in your profession.  As you know we all built houses close and helped start Broadmeadow. Church was our center and family was next.  I woke up at 4 this morning and got on the memory train and could not go back to sleep.  Well they were such good and some sad ones--but they are mine and I am proud I can still recall as much as I can.  Sometimes, I guess, it takes a loss to put new memories in the "bank."  Amy  read the poem with such love and did a great job.  I could never get up before many people and do that.  So thanks again to  her.  I am sure Ruby would have loved it as well as the beautiful tribute to her.  The lunch after was to her liking too.  She loved working in the kitchen at Church. 

Well old man winter has arrived.  In the 20's this morning and a lot of frost on my hill above the Lake.  What a beautiful sight.  Now the sun is out and it will warm up a bit but more cold is on the way.  After all winter really starts in January in the south.  I predict we will have snow this winter.  Well, I must go and take care of this day.

Betty Boop

SAD SATURDAY

Not much good to talk and think about , except a nice visit with my sweet daughter Jan.  She had lunch and brought me a few groceries.  I seem to look for reasons not to go out.  But she always is a blessing to me.  Nothing like daughters and I am blessed with 3 of the best.  Lot of rain and storms have moved on to bother the rest of the country.  Thank goodness it just left us with cold weather.  I can handle that.  Rain will be gone for Monday---Ruby's funeral on Monday.  Lost an "almost" sister.  We sure shared a lot of wonderful memories (which I checked out of my Memory Bank.)  Must deposit them back, some are too much to review too long.

Betty Boop

HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!!! 2015

I just finished my traditional New Year's meal.  I am not superstitious, but I do love the black eye pea and cabbage story.  Black eye peas for luck and cabbage for money.  Another reason to eat them.  I would normally soak overnight and cook slow the peas but did you know the canned ones are just as great.  I did not have cabbage so turnip greens had to do.  Did you know canned turnip greens are a good sub for fresh or frozen?  So with a small slice of ham and my cooked in my small iron skillet corn bread --I had a feast.  I watched some of the Rose Day parade while a ate.  One thing missing--and he would not care much for  the parade but the meal was a favorite for Truman too.  Can't believe I am still hanging around here without him.  But I am sure it is part of the plan and I am glad to be here. 

Cold and rainy today and more rain is expected for the next two days.  I will find things to do  inside.  Glad that I can. 

Betty Boop