I AM BACK

Safe and back !!!  As I looked out over my little private "ocean" from my balcony. my thoughts were still at the Beach.  So vast and wide is the ocean.  Beautiful weather.  We had a thunder storm one night as we all sat and watched from the huge balcony.  The lightning was awesome!!!..  I thought how wonderful is God's might.    Next day we all got excited to see a perfect rainbow!!  One little one sensed our surprise and raced about shouting--"it's a rainbow, over and over, jumping with glee and shouting.  I wonder why we did not do the same?  God's power is awesome and great is his works.  The week went great and I sensed everyone trying to make it all work.  It is not easy sometime, but we pulled it off.   Missed a few who could not make it, especially our thoughts and prayers were with Linda and Joe and updates every day got better.  She has a way to go, but determined to make it to good health again.  She will I know be there next year. 

I am tryin to catch up.  Dirty laundry awaits.  I slept good and deep last night and woke with a crick in my neck--from riding in the car so long I guess.  Amy is a good driver-Ed a good navigator and we made it home safe and with a fresh start to pick up where we left off.   I have Chilton County peaches to give to my friends here.  They are very good this year.  O.K. lets get on with it.

Betty Boop

I am out of here !!

OFF WE GO

by Dot Ellis

I am headed for the Beach.
I will be hard to reach.
Among the things I will pack.
Enough books to get me back !!!

I  wrote this little short one for the Library Board.  I often give them one to do with the library.   Not hard to do except it needs to be about our wonderful library and the people who volunteer in there.  They do a good job.  Especially with LARGE print, which I prefer these days.  Many do. 

It is going to be very sad without Linda and Joe.  We will try to cheer her family who will be there and we will miss Linda and Joe so much.  Wont be the same without them. Speedy recovery is what we pray for her.

Betty Boop

CHEERS CHERRS.CHEERS,!!!

On the Balcony just now, a bird was singing it's heart out.  I confess I don't know as much about birds as I should{not like Truman}  who knew so much about them.  He knew the calls and much more.  Well this bird was a crow or a black bird or mocking bird{ who knows it all,} but anyway it was singing very clearly--cheers- cheers-cheers.  Very plain to hear. Well I cheer that I am feeling better and plan to go to the Beach with the family.  Speaking of family, My sweet and curious great grandchildren came to visit yesterday.  On the way to beach with us all.  I got to see the new one.  So sweet as she slept in her mother's caring  pouch as we ate lunch.  My other grands and I had our traditional grilled cheese.   They and I ate with gusto.  Outside to look at the lake and   walk on the pier then to play with Bitsy.  Bitsy loves them and enjoyed their play time.  Bitsy was so tired that the "took" to her bed till supper time.  She is very social and especially enjoys children.  Time is getting short till travel time and my to do list is being checked off.  I do love list.  Part of the planning and process of not forgetting any thing.  GOOD LUCK WITH THAT.  Sometime you forget something and find you did not need it at all.


Betty Boop

THE BEAT GOES ON

Am I dating myself when I say that the beat goes on?  Who cares?  It fits.  I do feel better and don't know what caused the little blip in me.  But, that too does not matter.  I so want to go to the Beach with my family.  It has been a tradition for over 30  years when we (Truman and I) started it along with 3 grandchildren and  their parents.  Amy and Ed were newly married.  Bryan was the first baby to go and Whitney and Lindsay were just right for the Beach.  It was for a long weekend which grew quickly to a week.  My it has grown as life and time goes on.  Can't even count them now.  Guess what--this I do know----we all still look forward to the togetherness and pleasure of the sand, sun, good food and visiting that we all make an effort to share.  So here is to you Truman Ellis, for pushing and
 making us all enjoy really what it is all about.  LOVE.

BettyBoop

MOMDAY.MONDAY

Dull color of brown.  That is the way I feel.  As the day goes on, I will pick up.  Little set backs in health really throw me for a loop.  I am so hoping for better. I feel better today.  Thanks to Jan and Amy and don't forget  the prompt and kind nurse here.   They are really a help when you need them.  Another reason to love living at SCV.

The lonely duck did not appear this morning.  In fact neither did anyone else.  A "Geese Convention" down south I hear.  O well, hope they enjoy and will come back soon. 

Betty Boop

GAGGLE OF GEESE

I know I tell about the geese a lot.  I saw the lonely one again.  I guess I will never know it's story-but it comes the same time every morning. I also saw a gaggle of geese grazing on the meadow.  Maybe 12 or more.  They  form a line and move together down toward the Lake.  Interesting how they stay together when feeding on the grass and seeds from weeds.  Our friend on the wall should join them.  I am reading some Amish novels(love them) and they seem to go through a lot.  They also depend on each other for comfort in times of need and joy.  Isn't that a good way to be?  I like to read them because even though they go through a lot, they come out strong and happy.  Their strong faith in God sees them through.   
 
Betty Boop

LONELY GOOSE?

I could be wrong, but this one goose keeps swimming alone, while the others are in pairs.  My mind goes to making up a story for this guy (girl)?  It swims up looking up Lake as if searching.  Up swims this pair and floats with it.  Has it lost it's mate? Did Mother Nature count wrong and came our uneven?  Is she on a nest? Who knows?  I would write a happy ending if I could write the story.  Maybe I should write children's stories,  they all have happy endings.

Betty Boop

NOT SO NIPPY

Stepped out on the Balcony dressed for nippy and I got that old warm and still feeling.  I knew it could not last, but----so be it.  I had ham and eggs for breakfast!! I had a ham sandwich from the Cyber yesterday for lunch.  It was huge!!!!  I took some ham from it for later.  Later was at breakfast with  easy over eggs,and enough for another sandwich still left.I know I don't load my sandwiches as some love to do,, but this was unreal.  Lucky me. 

We are having a Chico's Summer Fashion Show tomorrow.  With several residents being models.  Should be fun.

Betty Boop

NIPPY NIPPY NIPPY

Weather man was right, cool on the Balcony. I was treated to the "wann-Be" sky writer. He or she filled the sky with X"s.  I mean they filled the sky.  Wonder what the message was?  Think about that one. Did not tarry long.  Today is History Club day and Mr. T. is coming to it and have lunch with me.  Am I lucky or what.?  Nice to have a "young" guest.  He really likes the history and I hope the company.

Betty Boop

SPEACHLESS

Nothing to say or write about.  So I wont make it up.  Maybe something interesting and good will happen today.  Let us just be still and wait.

Betty Boop

7;30 AM Sunday

All is pleasant 0n the Balcony.  Little breeze.  My excitement there this morning: My beautiful purple Clematis is in full bloom again.  I was concerned when it stopped blooming after I got it.  I guess it needed a rest and food and water and some sweet talk from me.  It is looking "happy" again.  I hope my pink geranium does the same as it stopped blooming too.  Patience--I should borrow from Bitsy. 
With Jan and Amy still with Linda, I will have to go to Church and eat lunch here today.  Be different, but I can take it. 

I saw Daddy Mallard  sunning and preening his feathers on the "sea" wall below me.  All by himself.  I guess she is sitting on eggs somewhere.  He needs to hurry back and bring her some coffee and a muffin!! He seems reluctant to leave. Can't blame him. Now you know I am imagining this.  He may be a  bachelor on the prowl.  Maybe not.

Betty Boop

JUST THINKING

Sometime it is nice to reflect on blessings.  Balcony time, coffee, breakfast of oatmeal, runner (visitor  I am sure), two walkers, birds chatting, paper delivered by friend, Bitsy getting shot from sweet granddaughter who finds time to sit and chat, cat to sleep with and talk to, food already prepared, wonderful maid who is a friend, always "lake of water" to look at, Library of books, friends there too, e-mail from special ones, prayers answered. The list goes on. These are a few of things that came to mind this morning.  You know there are many more. The brain  is a wonderful thing we have. I am thankful mine is still working (sort of.)

Betty Boop

RAIN/

Maybe-rain.  So far we have had little where I live.  But on a high note-cooler. That is good.  It  was very quiet on the Balcony.  In my little "pine thicket" it was void of birds.  Where are they this morning?   Not even the balcony birds that Bitsy and I feed bread crumbs to.  I hear them in a distance, but not up close. 

Yesterday was a strange day.  Waiting for regular up dates on Linda's surgery from Joe was a little hard.  She did good the Dr's  said and things are looking very good. The recovery is hard, but she is strong and I know with Lindsay and Joe's help, she will make it in time to go on vacation with us all. I am counting on it.  I am going to make it too. 

Betty Boop

GOOD REPORT

Rain today, so the report goes. I sat on the Balcony for coffee.  Not too warm yet. Jan took me for my A1C check since my meds changing 3 months ago.  Dr. was pleased  that the new was working and I am rid of the side affects my old one gave me.  I think the old one was really bad for my stomach.  Any way I am back on track now. Dr thinks I am very lucky to be doing so well.  She said most my age were not as easy to take care of as I am.   I try.  I slept good last night. The ups and downs are just not going away, but I slept 9 hours.  Wow--Bitsy was late for  her breakfast and still patient as could be.   I need to take lessons from her.  We went by Freshway Market on the way home.  I love that place for fresh veggies. It is great  entertainment for me.  I bought some frozen biscuits someone told me about.  Baked the whole batch  and froze them.  I toasted one this morning--mummmm  good.

Betty Boop

MONDAY-MONDAY

 It does come around often-Monday.  I am m0ving slow to get up and go.  I do wish for a good night's sleep.  Just talking around "old" friends, this is common.  Just can't stay asleep and am up and down all night.  It was a little warm on the Balcony, so here I am inside looking out, so to speak.  Amy and I were the only crew yesterday for lunch.  I am sure the others get tired of the same old routine on Sunday and need a break.  Can't blame them.  So as Amy said, let us eat lunch someplace the younger ones don't like-but we do.  We ate lunch at Panasia.  (spelling wrong)   I think most people know it.  It is in the Colony.  We had 10 veg. soup and busied ourselves counting the 10 veggies.  It was good along with a turkey sandwich.  The place was busy.  Always a good sign.  Service is good and the food was great.

Not much to write about, so I will get with it and see if I find something of interest to say.
How about this lovely shade of pink this morning?

Betty Boop

SATURDAY

Lonely  Saturday without Jan.  Be glad when she gets  back from much travel. I  am so glad they get to do the things they have done.  I caught upon on mundane things and even had lunch I dinning room.  With three I do not usually eat with.  Maybe their is purpose in that.  One was a guest of his mother.  And she is a new resident--so be it. 
 
Security is great here. I went down  too pick up my mail about 4 yesterday.  Of course the desk closes at noon.  I had a notice that I had a perishable package.  Could not imagine since all I knew was that I ordered test strips for my glucose meter.  Not perishable. What could it be?  Barbara D. called security to help.  He was so nice and opened the desk doors and searched for my package.  He had to call the off duty desk person at home to find out where it was.  She gave him information to find my package,  It was indeed the test strips--not perishable.  He said they probably put the wrong notice in my mail box by mistake and did not know it.  Well, I hope that explains it.  Little drama to my day.  I found out that Security really follows through.  Good to know.

Betty Boop

CAUGHT ONE !!!!

SUV host an annual fishing rodeo for our faithful workers today.  Early they began to gather, many with some of their families. All around the Lake they gathered, with fishing gear, some with buckets to sit on, some standing and moving often for better space.  I was drinking my coffee on the Balcony when they all seemed to appear at once.   After a little I heard one below, who was sitting on his big bucket , let out a yell  " I got one."  The golf cart with provisions came rolling fast to see.  He indeed did catch one. They measured it and took a picture of the proud fisherman.  It was a big one.  Looked big from where I sat.  Now  on my feet, glad for him.  The little refreshment carts are roving around with water and coffee, drinks and snacks.  They will fish till it gets too hot and gradually leave.  It is a very popular event and I think it is a good way to show appreciation for our wonderful staff who go an extra mile to make us happy.

Betty Boop