BUGLE ??????

Oh dear, what is this?  I was handed a  beautiful brass bugle(a real one} just before our dress rehearsal yesterday afternoon.  My it was heavy.  I had to pretend to blow it at the proper time during BOOGIE WOOGIE BUGLE  BOY.  I do not remember what I did and I hope whatever it was that I can do better tonight.  Whew!  Shirley is known for last minute changes.  I just hope everyone that I know who sees it will not be too embarrassed .  When Shirley got through with that "clown" makeup AND WIG you may not recognize me anyway.  It is all in fun and none of us are pros, so bear with us. 

In the mist of packing and thinking about our October campout, and the PLAY, I have been too busy.  Hope to relax at the camp this weekend. 

Betty Boop

ANOTHER GREAT SATURDAY

Have you ever made French toast my way?  I got a weird loaf of whole wheat bread that was not sliced right.  Twice as thick as it was supposed to be.  Just right for French toast.  I beat an egg added a little half and half, salt and pepper.  I soaked the bread and browned it in the skillet which I sprayed with olive oil spray.  Browned it till crisp on both sides and used sugar free syrup.  With a little turkey bacon and hot tea and less sugar orange juice, I had a very good breakfast and good for me.  It kind of took the place of pancakes--kind of. 

Guess who came to lunch?  Brody --and he brought Jan and Cary.  That child is a treasure.  From being entertained by my little singing bird that Linda brought me, to loving to push the button at the elevator, to saying WOW! when Bobbie set his lunch before him.  We enjoyed trading pieces of fruit to drinking all his milk and most of a grilled cheese  sandwich, And when he finished he wanted to go outside.  A nice tour of the golf course and croquet field and then down to the Pier for a look at the LAKE,  He greeted everyone and paused to talk with a couple who found him delightful.  A quick goodbye and he was on his way to nap-land.  I know he was tired because he had also been to Wellfest earlier.   With a wave and a quick trip back to give us a hug. He was then on his way. How sweet is that?

Hard to follow that but a nap for me did it. 

Betty Boop

SPIDER LILY

Amy called a while ago and said she was bringing me something.  When she came she not only brought me a luscious looking stuffed bell pepper for my supper., but a Spider Lily.  We had so many on Riverwood.  Truman would separate the bulbs after every blooming season and plant them and give them away too.  We had them coming up all over the back yard and front too.  What  sight.  We had them on Meadow Ridge too.  Leon gave them to us.  So they really did get around.  It has been so dry that they are having a hard time coming up this year.  Amy had two   so far to come up and she brought me one.  How perfect is that?  It is like I say about roses--one is better than a dozen at a time.  Brought back memories so sweet. 

I have spent the day doing laundry and taking care of little problems.  Business and otherwise.  So I think it has been a good day.  Here is to a good night.

Betty Boop

GUEST TODAY

M. G. called to say she could come to lunch and was I available?  Of course I was.  She brought Ryan and Amy too.  It was perfect on the Terrace overlooking the Lake.  The weather was almost cool with a small wind blowing.  We had a very good visit.  Since Ryan is the boss, he can take off as long as he wants.  I guess M. G. has a little "pull" too because she took her time from work too.  And of course these "free lance " people are lucky too.  I am the lucky one to have them come and enjoy lunch.  It is what I do since I don't really have a house anymore.  This is now my home and I like it this way.  Just step up and order what you want and have it served, with a smile, and no dishes to wash.  How sweet is that.  I really like the  Cyber but the dinning room is good too. 

I am reading a good book on my Nook.  Jan sat right here at my computer and checked out two for me from the Madison Library .  Now that is nice.  Two weeks and they fade off.  The book is Water for Elephants.  About the Circus during the early days and is so interesting.  I still like to actually hold a book in my hands but I am enjoying the Nook too.............I go on and on about nothing.  Second night of DANCING WITH THE STARS  tonight.  Don't call me during that time because I wont answer. 

Betty Boop

MY LATEST POEM FOR VILLAGER

DANCING WITH THE STARS

 

Oh, I can hardly wait.

I'm as excited as can be.

I can't be late.

Their fate I long to see.

 

Hurry through my dinner,

Sit down to watch T.V.

Who will be the winner?

Just can hardly wait to see.

 

Twirling around the dance floor,

In costumes so revealing.

Oh, this show I do adore.

My excitement, I'm not concealing.

 

It's so easy to entertain me.

DANCING WITH THE STARS comes to mind,

Give me some slack, Oh Gee!!!!

Kick up your feet, enjoy and un-wind.

 

Dot Ellis

Creative Writers Group

September 2015

SATURDAY MORNING

I sound like a broken record, but I can't believe another week has passed and it is the middle or more into September.  I just had breakfast in the Cyber.  I have sworn off pancakes.  Really!!  The are not worth the misery they cause me.  But egg over light. sausage patty. whole wheat toast and coffee went down very nice.  I really enjoy breakfast.  I remember a time when my Mother had to beg me to eat breakfast.  I was what she called a "picky eater."  Those days have faded into the past and now days, I love almost any kind of food.  Maybe I went too far into the other direction. 

My funny little reindeer I am making for Christmas  gifts are coming along good. 50 are now waiting for a hanger.  That has been decided and also a handmade gift card is in mind.  I put them away till later to finish as I have other irons in the fire so to speak.  I am glad to get this much done before Christmas.  Speaking of Christmas--it will come fast after next month.

I have this little stacked coffee cup that Peggy gave me long ago. because I liked Betty Boop even then.  Truman and I used to drink tea from it.  He made it all the time and I enjoyed that.  The top is her face and arms and the bottom is her dancing legs and short frilly skirt.  He always gave me the top and he took the bottom half.  This morning I brought a second cup of coffee up from breakfast and drank from my  Betty Boop cup. I  think she looked surprised to see coffee instead of tea in her cup.  I drank it in the Bubble and watched a duck--diving for its breakfast.  Truman called those ducks di-dapples.  Don't think that is the official name but they are fascinating, how long they can stay under.

Good start to the day and Jan is coming for lunch.

Betty Boop

BUSY

Been so busy(for me.)  Things keep coming, ready or not.  Could it possibly be that I am slowing up?  Nah!!  If I slow up I may have trouble keeping up. As I pick up my step going down the hall, I am looking for someone to say "my, you look busy."  If you don't keep looking "busy", someone will surely ask what is wrong.  Another reason to keep busy.  If I stop or slow up, I may never get back to speed.  Lot to think about when you are 88 and counting. I am really a little concerned about the "play."  It has been hard and a little disorganized to me.  With only two more practices, it does not look like we will be ready.  Get ready for "silly" for that is what you are going to get!!!

Oh what a beautiful morning!!  Mild and sunny. I want Fall to come.  I remember a minister we once had who liked to quote this little saying.:

When it's hot
We want it cold.
When it's cold,
We want it hot
Never satisfied.
With what we've got.
Always wanting
What is not.

Betty Boop





So very true. 
Betty Boop

MONDAY,MONDAY

What can I say about Monday. Fresh start?  Plenty to do? or DANCING WITH THE STARS  starts a new season1!!!!.  Of course BIG BANG  comes on next Monday on a different  channel but at the same time slot.  Since I am not prepared to record, I will have to do the old fashioned way and click back and forth.  Must see them both.  I don't have that many favorites, it is my luck that they are at the same time.  Oh well, so forth, and so on and what have you.  Worse things can happen. 

I just made some tuna salad.  I like my own better than SCV's.  So lunch is coming up and Nap and then to Choir practice.  Out to dinner with friends in the dinning room.  So I had better get going.

Betty Boop

SUNNY SUNDAY

Sunny and cool too.  My it feels good.  I know summer is not over for us but it feels good to get a preview of what's to come.  Lunch after church with Sophie, Paul, Amy, and M. G,  Ryan was sick and we missed him.  I am so blessed that they still want me to go with them.  Not all old "grannies" get to hang out with the young crowd.  I can't always  keep up with the conversation, because I have no idea sometime what they are talking about,  but I try.  Anyway, I took a nap and sat on the balcony and read a while and I actually got a little chilled. 

Today would have been Truman's birthday.  Amy remembered, and Jan and I talked about it yesterday.  He would have been 94.  All his years were good and I am glad he was so active right  up to the end.  Some people don't get that lucky.  I hope I do.  How about you? 
Betty Boop

SPLENDED SATURDAY

I don't know how but I slept till 7:00 Saturday morning, so I decided to fix my own breakfast, and take it easy.  When I go to the Café it is an effort to get decent looking early and that is why I did not rush. That's the reason most people don't go down-they hate to get "ready" early.  Jan came to visit and we had lunch on the terrace.  It was perfect.  We "Tarried on the Terrace" a long time.  Need to write a poem about that.  Always looking for a subject.  The water looked so pretty with a slight breeze and the sun reflecting.  Jan got her turkey burger fix with wonderful SC Cyber fries. I ventured out for something new(to me).  Santa Fe Salad.  Seasoned grilled chicken(the best), spring mix, diced tomatoes, avocados  roasted corn, pico de gallo and tortilla strips fried, with avocado ranch dressing.  It was different and I liked it.  We enjoyed a good visit and walked through the halls and met some people that she did not know and a few that she did know.  I am sure visiting with people here is different from what she is used to every day.  There is just something special about them. 

How about this cool snap?  Don't get too used to it, we will still have a little more summer to come.

Betty Boop

FIRE TRUCK FRIDAY

I had visitors yesterday.  Jan, Cary, and birthday boy Brody!!!.  He opened his present from me and declared FIRE TRUCK  WHOWWWW  Enough said,  We visited for a while and we walked (raced Jan) down the halls so I could show him off.  He did me proud with speaking to everyone and saying and waving and saying Bye to everyone.  He surprised this one person when she asked how old are you.  He quickly threw up two fingers and said "Two".  He was very charming and cute.  We walked out on the newly floored pier and learned a new word.  He is always learning and it is fascinating.  I was warmed by Cary's statement..  She wished he could have played and explored our Riverwood back yard.  She imagined he would have loved it.  I do too. 

Not much else happened except I got a much needed hair cut.  Glad to get that done.  It makes me feel so much better. 

Betty Boop

LUNCHEON

You probably would just as soon not to hear about the luncheon, but here it goes.  It was a lot of fun.  I think it was 15 or 16 tables decorated by residents.  And all were very pretty.  So many different themes.  People who saved their favorite things when they had to downside had some beautiful things to work with.  The table I sat at was very elegant and pretty.  Hard to describe.  It looked like Fall with the colors.  A beautiful ceramic pumpkin set in fall netting.  Oh I can't do it justice.  Not good at it.  Anyway they were all so different, you would have to be there.  It was brunch food.  Fresh fruit of blueberries, strawberries and my favorite watermelon.  The quiche was filled with cheese, ham and bacon, and mushrooms and very good.  Also a orange muffin.  And lemon layer cake for dessert (which I only had a bite)  and coffee.  Michael Dan Colbert sang and played nice music that we all know and love.  People were really dressed chic mostly , not too much shabby.  But the shabby was a little overdone of course. But that is fun too.   There was talk by Shirley that some suggested we have another one around Christmas and serve pancakes and come in pajamas.  Oh my. kind  of hope that one does not get off the ground. I have not had pajamas since I was a child and my gowns are "see" through!!!She later said maybe we could come in our robes.  Even there I look like Raggedy Ann.  We will see how this works out.

Betty Boop

IN THE MEANTIME

I am going to the Shabby Chic luncheon in a little while and will tell you about it later.  In the meantime, read my newest poem that I submitted. 

NEVER OUT OF SEASON.

 

Watermelon is luscious and sweet.

A fruit that I crave.

Such a wonderful treat.

Of it's merits I rave.

 

I ask for it everywhere.

Sometime I find it too.

I am a sad affair.

But what to do?

 

I could eat it every day.

How crazy is that?

Whatever the cost, I'll pay.

To watermelon, I tip my hat.

 

No word will rhyme with it.

I love for words to rhyme.

This poem must be a hit,

Or it's just a waste of time.

 

Dot Ellis

Creative Writers Group

September 2015

BUSY (for me) DAY

Busy day but fun when it starts with ham and eggs in the Cyber.  I had Exercise class, fun people, then up to apartment to grab my stuff for the play practice.  I can see a glimmer of success that it  will come together soon.  But it has been harder than usual.  Hard to lip-sync.  But practice makes perfect or almost perfect.  I had lunch in my apartment then a nap, then Creative Writers group.  I don't know how long this group will last.  Only three left.  No new people are interested.  O well.  So forth and so on and what have you?

I got a peek in the Activity room at what is going on for tomorrow.  Shabby Chic Luncheon.  We were invited to do tablescapes.  I did not try it.  They were looking so interesting and some very pretty.  I saw one with a small bottle tree as the centerpiece with pretty blue bottles.  I remember my yard tree on Riverwood.  Now it has a good home with Sophie and Paul and I am glad.  I guess I will dress in between shabby and chic, just to be safe.  No contest (thank goodness.)  By the way tablescapes is not in the dictionary.  Made up by who?  Don't know.  So I spelled it like I wanted to.

Betty Boop

OTHER PEOPLES BLOGS

 I love other peoples Blogs.  Today I liked Sophie's.  She told about their trip to Fairhope, Alabama.  Her pictures and story made you want to go there.  Not only is she trained and educated to write, she has lots of talent.  I also like Amy's blog.  She does pictures too but her descriptions and great.  To tell a story this way is such a talent.  I received three different comments today on my poems and essays for the VILLAGER.  I don't know if my readers are good judges or if they just don't have anything else to do, but I take it with pride and humility. 

Our Labor Day lunch here was uneventful.  Betty and I decided since we had never ordered Polish sausage before we would try something different.  Well as far as we could tell. it was only a big fat hot dog on a white bun.  Of course I took mine off of the bread and covered it with grilled onions (pretty good) and ketchup. and cut it in bites.  I got by.  But my downfall was the homemade pecan pie.  I came home and went to bed and slept two hours.  I don't know if it was really asleep or passed out. but when I woke my blood sugar was 178.  High but not danger zone which is over 200.  I am not saying it was worth it, but it sure was good.  But I see I can not handle it and I should avoid that much sugar at a time.  It takes will power and sometime I am weak.  Betty Boop

SUPER SATURDAY

Have I used that title before.  Who remembers, it was a super Saturday.  Joe and Linda came through going to Pensacola for the weekend and spent Friday night with me.  Good excuse for a little party so I invited the "old" folks to breakfast this morning.  Short but sweet as the saying goes and I think we all enjoyed it very much. 

Jan stayed and helped me put some books on my NOOK.  We are getting better and better at this.  One free one from Barnes and Noble and two from Madison Library.  All done just sitting here in my little office.  I feel all set for reading.  Jan never gives up.  I was tired when we finished.  She did all the work, so why was I tired? 

I delivered a few new FIND IT IN FONDREN magazines.  I will do more later. Sure is a great issue.  It gets better all the time.  Such creativity.  How nice to work at something you love to do.  Better go now and think about a little supper. 

BettyBoop  

MOST TALENTED

What a way to start the day.  Ham and eggs in the Cyber.  Good.  When I got on the elevator with a friend to go home, she said "If we had a talent contest here at SCV for the most talented, I would vote for you."  Boy did my head swell.  My family knows how hard I have worked to be busy and to make a difference, but talent?  You snicker behind your hands I know.  My friend had just read the new VILLAGER where I had three pieces published.  I guess it says a lot for the people out here.  We are proud of everyone.  Well, I do write poems that relate to us, essays that are just plain true and silly, I am an actress of sorts (play coming up), make and  give zillions of flowers to many on lots of times in their lives, keep the "entrance table " up to date and I think pretty, give out many hugs and smiles each day plus I join committees that interest me. I do see a little talent there.  But nothing that anyone could do if they only put out the effort.  I do enjoy many things that I do.  Truman used to push me to do more, wish he could see me now.  He always said I had talent, I just did not use it.  Oh well, I am trying now and please be kind to me and tell me I am O.K.  Betty Boop

Good Tuesday

Always good with Amy.  She boost me up, even though I know that is what she is doing.  I guess everyone needs that.  She took me on an errand out on Lakeland.  Before that we had lunch here in the Cyber.  I think she likes to be the youngest there.  Why not?  As she told you, I am up to my ears in wooden  clothespins that will I hope turn into reindeer ornaments by Christmas.  Since I am making 40 to 50. I decided to get a head start.  I really love a project.  They will be a little silly but fun. 

I also wrote a poem and an essay yesterday.  I am seeped in creativity lately.  Practicing for the play too.  My, my I do love to brag. Well got to go and see what this day will bring.  Hope it brings MORE rain.  We had a nice one late yesterday afternoon.  Much welcomed.

Betty Boop