LUNCH ON THE PORCH

Sunday lunch at Keifer's.  It was a little cool and windy.  I got to sit in the sun and was fine.  Especially with a cup of coffee.  That is where I had my first gyro.  I have loved them ever since, but Keifer's has the best.  Sophie, Paul, M. G., Ryan, Amy and me.  THE SUNDAY SIX. Much talk, but these old ears can't hear it all and most of the time I just smile like an idiot and they think I hear.  Also my , my they talk so fast and jump from one subject to another so fast that I get a little weary.  I am just glad for the special attention I get and that  they put up with me.  Sunday's are so different now.  Once I was young (youngish) and had my generation of relatives to eat with and did we have fun?  Oh yes.  I imagine you would be surprised if you could have listened in.  Of course you would have to go to the Piccadilly    What are the odds of that ? Hey there were very few restaurants in the "old days."  Not like now when you can't decide which one to pick.  Sometime progress is good and I go along .  What can I do.  Stay at home in a shell?  Some do but not me. 

Betty Boop

SUNNY SATURDAY

Spring is coming early.  I should have lived through many of them to know not to predict.  It gets me to thinking about my pots garden on the balcony..  I tried tomatoes once and did not do too well.  I still want to try them again.  Maybe cucumber or peppers.  They would be pretty anyway.  The tried and true begonias and what else?  Fun to plan.

My "little man" came yesterday. He brought "Nana" and mom Cary.  He likes to come to "MaMaw's house" as he calls it.  How I wish he could have explored Riverwood.  He ate his lunch of grilled cheese sandwich and fruit cup with gusto.  A lady resident gave him a dollar bill.  He had never held one before and was baffled at first.  Cary and Jan explained and he told people "I got money."  By the time he left it was crumpled in a ball, but he had money.  I hope he always will.

Betty Boop

BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINE

I am happy to report that the Library asked me to contribute a poem each month to go on their bulletin board space each month.  Bless the one who asked.  What a friend!!I give the VILLAGER one each month too.  I will have to keep those juices flowing.  Maybe I can put an essay once in a while for the VILLAGER.  My poems can be short for the board.  I can do it.  I have started jotting down subjects instead of  trying to remember  a thought that races through this feeble brain from time to time.  There is plenty to write about out here where I live, but you have to be careful of your "subjects."

I have been eating lunch a lot in the dinning room.  I don't know why, but I seem to be craving company lately.  New for me in a way, since I do like my privacy and own space.  Time does march on but for me at a fast pace.  Can't keep up sometime.  But I try. 

BETTY BOOP

POLITICS

We had two men who are running for the Mississippi Senate to speak yesterday.  I went because I know one of them.  He used to be our neighbor on Riverwood and Truman knew him through the Bank and real estate also.  I went thinking I knew very little about the issues, but found out I know more than I thought.  It was interesting and I know I will vote for him.  Truman is still know by many and I love to hear someone remember and like him.  I believe he could have won some kind of election if he had been interested.  I am getting so tired of this Presidential election.  They are just in a personal battle I think and not about what they should be about.  I don't like any of them. 

Lunch with three nice ladies in the dinning room and enjoyed it.  I may eat fruit and cottage cheese for my supper.  I had such a big lunch/  Soup to dessert and all the stuff between.  That is the problem when you eat in the dinning room.  It was good. My how lucky am I?    One of my favorite verses in the Bible comes from Philippians 4; 11-13.  Read it for yourself.  It says a lot to me.

Betty Boop

BLACK CROWS

While sitting on the balcony drinking a coke after exercise class. I heard the cawing of the black crows.  What a racket!  I watched as a group flew into the tallest of my pines,  The leader (apparently) held court from the very tip top and it was a good perch for the preacher(I called him).  He went on and on, back a forth with the same message.  They would answer and he would say it again.  I wondered what he was telling them.  Whatever it was, it was important enough to repeat it over and over.  It must have been 10 of them all in the pews of the tall pine.  Once in a while one flew to the next tree, not as tall, and signal something.  And then he flew back.  It started to rain and encroach on my space there so I came inside and they were still caring on.  I went back a few minutes later and they were gone.  I can only imagine what was up, but I do know they had a fearless leader.  Or was he fearful?  I looked up crows on the computer.  Lot to read.  They are very common and can be a nusance  in some parts of the country.  Hard to get rid of.  But St Catherine's crows are very nice!!!!  My My  I have a lot to do.  But birds are interesting.

Betty Boop

SPRING??

It feels like Spring here.  I am sure it is false and we will have more Winter.  It happens every year.  The bulbs everywhere are fooled into coming up, yet some are supposed to show up early.  Cloudy today but warm and I guess a little more rain is in the forecast.  Enough about the weather.  You know about that.

Yesterday was fun with Jan.  We ate lunch at The Trace Grill.  Got my fill of veggies.  Not many places like it.  We went grocery shopping at Wal-Mart.  I came home and replaced flowers in my spot in the hall.  I did not have fresh jonquils but I had some good fake ones and they looked so pretty in a dark blue vase.  I added three blue birds to the table.  So Spring.      I am enjoying my new kindle my girls gave me for my birthday.  It is so light and easy and I bought the latest Jeffery  Archer book.  Sixth in the series.   They take so long to get it in the library here and everyone wants it.  He only writes one a year and leaves of course a cliff hanger.  I wish I could write that good.  I guess I am glad I can write poetry that is good enough for my friends.  O. K. with me. 

Amy is out of town and I am going to Church here and have lunch in the dinning room.  And then I will nap and read my beautiful Sunday paper and take a little hall walk.  Sounds like a plan. 

Betty Boop

NEVER LEARN

Yesterday, I felt good and got back on the usual stuff.  Tommy had lunch with me and we went to the History Club.  Very interesting about the Wright Brothers.  We enjoyed it.  Other stuff included, changing bed sheets, shampooing my hair, visited a sick friend and took flowers, did my personal laundry.  When I list it here, it does not sound like much, but I was constantly on the go.  I got real tired and therefore rested a lot after it all.  That is not good for me because it can affect my blood sugar to rest too much.  Need to pace it better.  I am my worst enemy. 

Went to exercise class this morning and that felt good to do my routine.  Shirley said she is in the process of making us a new video with some new added.  I think it is about time.  Same thing over and over gets kind of old and we really need a change. 

Sun is shinning and Spring is on its way, but what happened to Winter here in the south?  We are all about tornados and storms right now. Lot of good info in this blog.  Ha!!

Betty Boop

SATURDAY & SUNDAY

Two near perfect days.  Saturday, T. Jan, Cary, Amy and Brody came to lunch.  Brody is putting his name on the list to move in when he gets old enough.  He already knows the place well.  He gets on the stage in the Activity room and sings with Jan when he comes.  He has seen me sing with the Choir and he likes music (just like me.)   I could go on and on about him.  He is a special little human.  Sunday I got to see most of the rest of my favorite people.  Sophie, Paul, M. G., Ryan and Amy for lunch after Church.  Now that's a perfect weekend.

Valentine's Day on Sunday.  Hope you all had someone to love.  I know I did.  I got out the old Valentines I had saved from Truman over the years.  Some people express their love through actions( he did), and they depend on a valentine to say the words.  That's what he did.  I'll take that. 

Betty Boop

SUNNY SATURDAY

What a beautiful day!!  Sun is out and with a little cool still in the air, you would think Spring is near/  But beware==not yet.  Here in Mississippi we have had a mild winter so far.  A few real cold days and nights but all in all not really winter.  Not like I remember as a child.  I do think we are warming up.  Tell that  to the Northeast.  I would not like that much snow and winter cold. 

I am dubbing this place as Party City.  We have had so many parties and events that I am glad I was forced to miss most of it due to illness.  Valentine's party was pretty yesterday.  I got to sing with the Choir and that felt good.  Next party is Sadie Hawkins Day on the 29th.  We are having a Chili cook off.  Recipes are submitted.  Chef picks three and they make them to judge.  Everyone gets to vote.  Should I submit Jan's? I think it is the best and easiest to make.  As far a Sadie Hawkins, we will see what that is about. 

Jan is coming and we have a little business to take care of.

Betty Boop

Poem for Villager

THE FLAG IS OUT 

What is all the activity about?
As we rush to and fro.
The mail is out you shout.
I fall in step as off we go.

The little grey box is very cold.
As you draw out your key.
Open it to what it holds,
Never know what it might be.

One from a friend with news.
One pleading for your money,
One to say you owe your dues.
What a mix--it's kind of funny.

As you sift through and toss away.
You think what a waste.
But it's still exciting each day.
So off with the crowd you haste.

Dot Ellis.  2016

O. K.

The ultimate test is to go to Wal-Mart (alone.)  My daughters don't understand why I like that mega store.  I don't know either, but I do.  I went by myself yesterday and made it through to the check-out and my credit card was refused!!  Never have I had that to happen as I am so careful to keep it clear.  With the line backing up and me falling apart, it went on and on.  The Manager came and same thing happen when she tried.  After much embarrassment and frustration they accepted my check.  I hurried home to call the Card company.  They apologized over and over for my embarrassment and said it was a glitch that happens sometime and they straightened it out and I am good to go,I hope.  Makes me scared to try to use the card again.  They told me what to do if it does happen again.  I don't like Wal-Mart so much anymore.  You see, they should have known what to do right at the store to set it right.  At least the Card Co. said they should.  O well, it shook me and I hope I never have to do that again. 

Betty Boop

FEELING PRETTY GOOD

I was beginning to think I would never say that again.  Enough said on that subject.

O. K. Mardi-Gras was well celebrated here.  So many Catholics here, made it more liked.  Bands, French Market, Irish coffee, French food, beads, loud laughter, special drinks, people dressed crazy. and what I missed was the oysters on the half shell.  O well maybe next time.  Next comes  Valentine's Day.  We celebrate it on the 12th with special music, wine, tea and chocolates .  Hope to be a part of that.  If I can get my voice back as the Choir sings love songs to everyone.  See, we have plenty to do.  I could tell you more but you might not could get your mind around it.  Later!!!!!

O yes, the Honey Man is coming today too.  Local honey is good, I just buy it and it last and last.  I know some people who eat it every day.     It feels good to be writing again of the fun things that go on around here.  I even wrote 2 verses of a new poem.  I hope the inspiration comes for more soon. Some day I will tell you how I write.  All poets have a certain way they compose.  Mine is a little strange, but works for me.  Thank goodness I have found an outlet for my thoughts and people actually read and like them.  I know they are not great and lack a lot of being correct, but my words are mine and I love to share.

Betty Boop

COMING SOON

I will be back soon.  It is just my illness has not been something to write about.  Really do you want to hear about my sitting in the chair and watching anything on .T. V. and  napping a lot.. taking meds on time, wondering if the Dr,  knows what she's telling me, eating strange meals, all good but don't go together, feeling sorry for myself .  just believing I will  never feel good again, missing events I had looked forward to and frankly not even caring, watching the Super Bowl alone, thanking the Lord for Amy and Jan, being glad I have a newspaper to read?  Well you just heard most of it.  I see a light at the end of the tunnel now.  Just a few more days of antibiotic stuff and hopefully I will be back.  So I am coming soon--look for me.

Betty Boop

NO SHOW

Seems these days that is my theme song.  But, I pulled the ultimate.  I missed my own birthday party.  Got  sick Saturday night before Sophie and Paul hosted what I heard was a beautiful affair.  I even chose what we had to eat.  Did not miss that part as
Amy brought me some of it and Jan brought the other half.  After talking to my Dr.  on Monday(everything happens on the weekend) I followed her advice. which did not work and I ended up going in.  My group has a walk-in office, so I did not have to be worked in.  After ex-rays and blood test, I have what they tell you when they can't find what is wrong--a viral thing going on.  Hope the antibiotic will work.  I am having trouble with the meds bothering my tummy.  O well--this-that-and the other.  What do you do?  Laundry backing up and need to shampoo  my hair.  Hope I can get up my energy to take care of those mundane things.  Amy and Jan have been wonderful, taking care of me as well as my many friends here who have offered to do anything they can.  I am blessed with help.  Now it is up to me to be positive and pray a lot.
Don't like being sick.

Betty Boop