SATURDAY (already?)

My how time flies as you grow older.  Maybe before then even.  The world is in such a hurry  so it seems.  So much going on and we can hear of so much as it happens. Progress?  I guess in some ways it is.  The Balcony was nice this morning.  I saw a friend biking this morning.  She is a little younger than me and far more active.  She has an old fashioned bike and just moves along at a slow steady pace. Hey, that is what I am talking about.  I also saw a neighbor couple walking.  Now I would say they are in the late 70's or maybe early 80's.  She leads the way and he does good to keep up.  Good for them!!  I am excited that Linda & Joe are coming for a visit.  I am  so glad Linda is doing well and able to visit. 

Must go and shampoo this hair -- it needs a good cut really. 

Betty Boop

CLEANING DAY

Bitsy and I look forward to Barbara, cleaning lady,
 coming. So I get to eat breakfast in the
cyber and coffee in the Bubble while she cleans and Bitsy gets to follow her around.  She just loves Barbara.  I do too.

The Canada Geese are trying a comeback to the Lake.  So far I have herd no complaints.  Not many are walking around the Lake because of hot weather.  That is changing fast.  Little whispers of Fall are here.  I heard Katydids singing.  Sure sign of change.   Change can be good.  Although we want some things to never change. 

SO BE IT
Betty Boop

SWEET DAY

I say sweet day for a reason.  That description popped into my words.  I had sweet words with Amy on phone, Jan came and  brought sweet cantaloupe and M.G. came to give Bitsy her shot and Bitsy was sweet about it. All sweet?  Yes it was a good "sweet" day.

Betty Boop

THINKING OF XMAS

Can you believe I am thinking of Christmas gifts for my friends here? Got to start early.  Amy found some very cute ideas that I can make.  Be thinking about it.  Last year I was too aggressive and bit off more than I could chew.  Had to get Jan & Amy to help.  Actually they did most of it.  I could ask again.  Just decide what I want to make first.  Buy the stuff and do as much as I can, then ask for help.  Sounds like a plan.

Betty Boop

ELECTION DAY

OFF to the polls everybody ! We will have election news all night.  Good thing.  I saw a dozen ducks of some kind.  Don't know what kind.  One pair flew in with a big splash and then to the bank.  Then came the other 10 and stayed in the water.  I think they were having a meeting and two on bank were leading it.  O.K. enough of that.  It got a little humid, so I gave it up.  Coffee cup was empty anyway.  Two cups is my limit.  New poem for Library Board.

SCHOOL      by Dot Ellis

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Hi Ho !!
Off to school they go.
Thru Books, is the way.
To gather knowledge each day.
 
I was inspired by seeing the top of school busses from my balcony on Madison Avenue each morning going by since school has started.
You know when you are writing for the Library (we have a great, active one) you try to make it about books.  Sometime it is hard to do.

Betty Boop

RAINY MONDAY

Song title in there.   Don't mind rainy days when I can stay inside and gaze out.  Pretty sight.  Somehow it takes me back to childhood and getting ready for school with rain coming down.  Of course it does not bother a child as it does a grownup. Or does it? The only thing I did not like was those galoshers  (sp) I was made to wear.  Not the cute boots of today, but those big old brown things that were so hard to get on.  They always pulled your shoes off when you tugged them off.  I hope they don't make them anymore.  I bet if they do--they have found an easy way to put on and take off.  Little hands have enough trouble as it is.  But there I always was, sitting on the floor of the cloak room struggling to either pull them on or take them off, along with my shoes and sometime socks too.  And speaking of socks, I wore knee socks in the Wintertime.  They had no elastic to hold them up.  Mama made elastic bands to hold them up  (garters)  Always too tight or too loose.  Up and down those dull socks would go. (they always seemed to be tan-not pretty blue or red.)  Tan went with every thing.   Oh the troubles we had.  Mama sewed most of my clothes, and she did a wonderful job without a sewing machine.  I did have some pretty bought dresses sometime when money would allow.  My. how did I get off  track this morning. Those memories come back unexpected!!

Betty Boop   

GOOD SATURDAY

Missed seeing Jan, but had a delightful sub.  Amy and Ed came and had lunch  with me in the Cyber.  It was not too crowded and we enjoyed our visit and lunch. Also on another nice note-had a 30 minute visit with Linda by phone. She sounded good and that made me happy.





The Balcony was nice and watched the ducks and our resident Egret. All looking for breakfast. To each its own.  I hope for a uneventful week, with no unwanted surprises.  We will see.  Off to Church I go to work on myself.  I need it.

Betty Boop

NO JAN

Jan has a to-do at her church today and I might not see her for our usual Saturday's.  Will miss that. I slept till 7 this morning, gives me a late start on my usual way of starting.  Shake up can be good.  I did get to see the playful couple in the pool.  It still amazes me how they feel so "alive" that early.

Rain is predicted and although it does not look like it now, I know how quick that can change.  I am getting to be a real stay-at-home lately.  I guess not driving anymore is part of it.  I ask so much of daughters in the way of things I have to do.  Like Doctor appointments and such things are a must.  But sometime I miss just getting in the car on the moments I want to just go someplace.  But giving up driving was not hard for me.  I guess I decided for myself and was not forced into it- makes a difference.  Anyway, the sun is shinning, I have what I need and Bitsy is happy,  SO BE IT.

BETTY BOOP

FALL??

Always wishing for something else.  Never satisfied  with what we have.  But it has been a very hot summer and a change would be so welcomed.  I do like that we have seasons and can experience change in weather. I really must find something to write about.  I did see a little hummer this now.  Trying to gather a drink from my flowers.  They are not the kind he was looking for, so he flew on.  I really thought they were all migrated, but one was left.  I think that does happen sometime.  The sky writer was out early, but did not do much.  I guess the sky was not just right.  Love to watch and imagine how much pleasure he (her) gets from the morning it is just right.  Better go, I promised myself to work on my poem/scrapbook.  I must get it done.

Betty Boop

NOT ROUTINE

Remember I said yesterday we were going to eye Dr,?  And that sometime it turns out not your usual visit  Well we ran into an adventure, as Jan calls them.  Turns  out either the nurse or the machine or my droopy eyelid just covered my view in the old eye that has so many  problems,.  I could not see the chart through the right eye.  A quick dialate and another scan and then another eye check and I could see as good as I had been seeing through that  eye.  Everyone was relieved and I really don't understand it till yet.  Jan and I called it an act of  God, I really can't explain it. It just doesn't fit.  But I will accept it and be thankful I can still see from the eye.  So we celebrated and went to one of my favorite places. Don't laugh--THE DOLLAR TREE!!  And then to Picadilly . 

Betty Boop

Early I know

I got up at 6.  My appointment with eye Dr. is early.  Dr. Ford , I hope, will be in his quirky,  funny mood.  He makes a big to do over my age.  Jan and I laugh behind his back, (we think.)  I have known him a  long time.  Since he started practice with old Dr. McCullough.  Remember him?  My girls called him Dr. Mole because he was first in one of those big old houses on North State that had been made into offices. Had to go down a long dark hall to get to him. Bet they remember.

Anyway, this is a routine check up. but I have been to enough routine that turned into something else, so I am always a little nervous when I go. Lordy, I have had a lot done to my eyes.  I am  thankful for the good sight I still have.  As I have said many times--I am high maintenance.     Wish me luck and I will probably tell you about Dr. Ford tomorrow.

Betty Boop

HOT MORNING

I don't mean the weather.  From my breakfast perch each morning, I can see the pool.  This morning a man and woman were playing (?) in the pool.  So early to be so frisky.  Back and forth, round and round. playing with the floaters, and generally enjoying. Don't know who they were and don't want to know, but it was surprising how much energy was being displayed at 7 in the morning especially for seniors. Hope they had a hardy breakfast!! How great that is.  Hard for me to feel that  quick in the morning. My oatmeal with bananas & English muffin with honey was so  good.  And of course coffee.  Need 2 cups each morning. 

Lance, my Pastor came to see me.  I was delighted.  He is such a good man to talk to and I really enjoyed his visit.  I needed that connection.  So hope for something to write about soon--let me go find it.

Betty Boop

WEEKS FLY BY

It seems that before I know it-another week has passed.  What did I do with it?  Not much that I can brag about.  Went to Church yesterday.  Our Pastor and his wife are back from a 2 week vacation in the north west.  Such a beautiful coast.  I remember doing it in our RV. and the ocean and shore line was something to see.

We had lunch with Sophie and Paul after lunch.  We had not been to BRENTS DRUGS lately.  It is fun and they still make olive-egg salad sandwiches the same.  Old time drug store and soda fountain still the same.   I remember when I was a little girl going to the neighborhood drug store.  It smelled of ice cream and chocolate.  Many smells stay with you.  I had 5 cents to spend sometime.  What fun to pick out "penny" candy.  Remember penny candy?  My I felt delighted and rich with my little brown bag filled with treats. MEMORIES, MEMORIES.  How wonderful to go to them and relive some of the best.

Betty Boop

SATURDAY

Morning with middle daughter.  She is a wizz at getting me going.  I was really dragging.  Very little sleep the night before.  Went to North Park for makeup. The Mall has a new makeover and was very nice to see.  I had an absolutely wonderful Chicken sandwich.  I love them. I was totally wiped out and took a hour nap.  Needed it.  Feel better today since I slept 9 nine hours last night.  Sorry for the blow by blow commentary.  I used to hear people tell their health stories and would be so bored.  I kind of understand it now.  Forgive me.  I will try to do better. Church today will help I hope,

Betty Boop

WAFFLE HOUSE ?

 I wish!!  No, not the real one. It was a frozen one.  I made it by putting it in the toaster.  Whole wheat is pretty good.   Especially with some of the fruit Amy brought yesterday from her Book Club.  It met at her house.  Those girls go all out for food and decor'. She also brought flowers from her table.  Love having flowers.  Bitsy never bothers them. I had blueberries, strawberries and blackberries on top.  Of course sugar-free maple syrup. A little orange juice and coffee went well too.  Almost like going yet better-I had my   "nightie" on.

Betty Boop

WHERE IS EVERYBODY??

Still on the Balcony.  One little bird is tweeting==where have al the birds gone and left me behind?  They will not even eat my bread crumbs. Most of our birds do not migrate. Maybe the hummers.  They are leaving.  I guess it is just too hot to sing.  Everyone seems to be standing still and waiting for a change.  I don't remember wanting Fall to come as I do this year.  It is like I am wanting time to move on. 

OOPPS!!!!  I forgot it was my maids day and here she is. Must run and fast.

Betty Boop

SLIP UP

First off--Brody started Kindergarten--not first grade.  I knew that, just said it wrong.  I bet he will like it a lot.  He is always ready to learn something new.

The Balcony was alright this morning.  Little breeze, humidity was lower.  That makes a difference. Worked on photo/scrapbook yesterday.  My, I am surprised at how many poems, essays, and little things I wont to keep.  I hope it will not be just a big old hodgepodge.  something to just throw away when I am gone. 

SO-BE-IT

Betty Boop

ADD TO ABOVE POST

P.S How could I forget:  BRODY START 1ST GRADE!!  YEH!!!!

WONDERFUL DAY SO FAR

Lord how wonderful you are!!  Just heard our newest family member-in-progress- is a boy!!  Also another member is starting her PHD   degree.  Now  what else is wonderful? I had my usual breakfast (in the Cyber)  of perfect eggs-over-light, sausage and rye toast and of course coffee. Second cup in the Bubble.  Balcony too hot. What a good start.  Maybe I had better stop while I am ahead??  But I wont.  I have plans for a favorite lunch.  Fresh Way  produce brought by Jan.  I will have yellow squash & onions, corn on cob.  okra. and finally tomato and cornbread. Healthy and delish!!  God bless us all.

Betty Boop

TOO HOT

I am sorry for those who have to deal with the heat today.  Glad I don't have to.  Tommy is coming for History Club and lunch.  Our first play practice is this afternoon.  So I have a full day ahead.  Lucky me !!   Hope I hold out to enjoy it all.  A nap in between activities will help. 

Poem/Scrapbook is coming along slow.  I have been finding things I will include, so I don't know what to call it.  I found my report card from the second grade going into the 3rd grade.    I think I will preserve it between plastic.  1933-1934.  It is very old looking.  Lucky it was a good year and good grades.  Got an average of 100% on spelling for the year.  Imagine what happened?  I don't spell very good now!!

Betty Boop

CLOUDS & SO FORTH

Warm and humid on the Balcony.  The clouds caught my eye.  I am always interested  in clouds.  They were worth watching today.  I saw one in the shape of Africa.  Many more, but nothing else jumped out. I turned to the Lake to watch the ducks.  I saw three float by when suddenly one broke rank and began to swim away and made a huge triangle and then swam fast to catch up with the other two.  Now what was that all about? Then the tractor man came along with his sweeper to clean the sidewalk. I wonder if the Canada Geese have messed up? 

Enough silly!!   Amy took me to Church yesterday.  Since she had a meeting, M.G. & Ryan came and picked me up and we went to lunch.  Lovely lunch and enjoyed having them by themselves to talk to.  They are so good to me.  They both do so many thoughtful things for me.  Blessed again.   I see the sun has broken up the clouds and the sun is really shinning bright.   Going to be another hot one.  I am  now looking forward to Fall.  I will get my little racoons and leaves and acorns out to decorate.  Always look forward--not backwards!!!!

Betty Boop

TOP OF THE LINE

Mr, Coffee is the first small coffee maker made  that I remember.  I have a very handsome model sitting on my counter this morning, just going alone at a merry pace.  Jan shopped for me and brought it to me, opened and assembled it and now it is perfect. It even has a feature to time it to come on in the  morning!! Now I wont go there because of my inability  to grasp change.  First cup this morning was good and so was the second.  Little things, like a new coffee maker, make my day easy and happy.  Thanks again to a personal shopper who always gets the job at hand to  work for me.

I slept good, (9 hours).  I did not have any aid, never do, but for some reason I had a restful night.  Rare, but so welcomed.  When old age creeps up, these things like sleep really matter. I know it wont last, but I will take it when I can have it.   Going to Church, so I will move on.  Oh, yes, it was hot on the Balcony.  Did not tarry long there.

Betty Boop

SATURDAY

On the Balcony--Nothing moving. This heat had been really bad.  Dog Days of Summer. Old saying.  People  used to use these sayings to make a point.   Many of them are remembered and still used.  Like the dog days of summer.  Need to look it up, but you can imagine what it means.  It is so hot that even the dog only wants to lie in the shade.  No  people  walking and not even the birds are singing or eating the bread crumbs I put out for them.  I plan to stay in and stay cool. 

I got my script for the new play we will be doing  in September.  I have all of one line--but it is a long one.   Think I can handle it? Actually I am glad.   The dressing up and being on stage is what I really like.  Jan just called and both she and Tommy will eat lunch with me.   Good day, when I get to see two.  Saturday's can be long without someone coming to visit.

BettyBoop

UP AND RUNNING

Or should I say "ringing"?  My phone stopped ringing yesterday and it just would not work.  Even my "go to" for anything like that, Mary Grace, could not find the problem. Of course I was reminded of my inability to grasp my smart phone.   I was without communication.  Kind of scary.  Of course I always had the cord to alert security, but it was not that kind of an emergency.  I waited till morning and went down to Cyber for breakfast and then to the desk to check in.  I reported my trouble and she said "Oh, the AT&T man is out there working now.!!"  So sure enough when I came up and tried my phone, it worked!!..Thank you Lord,  we did not have to go through a hassle to get it fixed.  Many good things do happen.

I took Bitsy's  picture down to put in the display case. The subject is all about pets, so I am sure she will be the STAR.  To me anyway.  One of the maintenance  men was in the office and said oh, yes Bitsy is so friendly.  She is that and loves any man that comes in. 

Have a good day,
Betty Boop

ROCKING ALONG

Yes, just going with the flow. Being lazy while I am not feeling guilty about it.  On the Balcony just now, I saw at least two dozen Canada Geese feeding on the meadow across the Lake.  It seems they are trying a comeback to our Lake.  I hope they behave and not have to be shooed away again.  They can be very aggressive. And people who walk the path around the Lake don't especially like that.  Can't blame them. 

I guess I am doing very well since tooth extraction.  Being very careful about how and what I chew.  No pain or swelling.  That is good and I am thankful for that. Don't really like Jello. but it goes down very well.  So does scrambled eggs. and grits.  Southern girls love grits.  Poor Yanks don't know what they miss when turning their nose up to grits.  I hear that you can buy grits at some grocery stores up North.   So be it!!

Betty Boop

DONE ? DONE !!!

I said to the Dr. "You mean you are done already? " She laughed and said "Yes, all done."   I was so surprised at how fast they took my tooth away.   I still am amazed at how I got through it. And without a hitch.  Good job by everyone.   My sweet Jan sitting in the waiting room and I am sure praying for this old 92 year old body, was an Angel to me.  She stayed with me the rest of the day.  We both had naps and she made trips to the Cyber for her lunch and later for ice cream.  I ate some at 8 last night.  I looked so funny with the ice pack they gave me.(scared Bitsy).  One of these marvelous new contraptions that is throw away.  I looked like comics of people with a towel tied around my head.  Ice for swelling. Ibuprofen for pain. Now that is goof stuff!!!  I  had a  pretty good night. Hard to sleep on two pillows to elevate my head.   I got up at 3-could not sleep because I was hungry.  Liquids just don't get it.  I drank a glass of BOOST, and slept till 6:30.  I had oatmeal with peanut butter in it for breakfast.    Good  !!. Try it-it is very good. All in all--I am doing O.K.

Betty Boop

THIS IS THE DAY.

Remember the song you were taught in Sunday School?  "This is the day. This is the day the Lord hath made' let us rejoice and be glad in it".  I woke this morning with that song on my mind. I sang it before I got out of bed. Even that did not upset Bitsy.  She is used to her mistress breaking out in song.  Anyway the reason for it this morning is this is the day for my oral surgeon to make his money for a nice vacation.  Tooth extraction does not come cheap, I am about to learn. And they are actually taking away my tooth.  I bet it was exciting to my Mom when it came in.  I remember being joyful when my kids had their first ones, and isn't it a  wonder they last so long.  In my case-it is the first I have lost.  So wish me luck at 11 o'clock and say a  little prayer too. I will try later to make a  funny story about it.  Right now I see very little humor.

Betty Boop
I treated myself to a hearty breakfast in the Cyber.

ALONE ?

One goose swims alone, one man walks alone.  Are they lonely?  I think not. For about 15 or 16 geese soon joined the loner.  He is the leader and soon had them under control.  Off they floated.  The man walks alone.  Maybe "she" slept in?   Maybe he is really alone.  We have quite a few loners out here (men.)  They have lots of attention from the ladies.  Doesn't matter to me.  Some act sort of silly about it.  Oh well--to each his own.  Amy and I were alone for lunch after church yesterday.  Went someplace we like.  On the colony.  They have their homemade bread for sandwiches.  Soup and salads.  It was very good.  Rest of day, I slept and finished a book  all alone, that was a page turner.  UNDER CURRENT.  You can imagine from the title that it was thrilling and upsetting!!  

Not really alone
BETTY BOOP

DUCKS IN A ROW

Now I get it,  DUCKS IN A ROW.  I saw it in action.  6, count them, ducks swimming in such a perfect row.  O. K. Here it goes, my silly mind goes.  Head Honcho leads it off, of  course.  Three almost grown siblings  middle, Old Girl brings it in.  Isn't that like my family when we were young?  I have never seen such a straight line. The family of  Canada Geese seem to be making a comeback.  Hope they behave and not make too much trouble or we will have to ask them to leave again.

Coffee in the "big perk" is getting tiresome. So many parts to assemble and to wash.  I must get a new 4 cup one soon.  First to get the tooth surgery done on Tuesday.  I am laying in soft food provisions.  Jello, Ensure, clear soup, coke, coffee, tea, on and on it goes.  I know I am making too much of this procedure.  Can't help it,  that is how I handle my worries.

Betty Boop

SATURDAY SO FAR

So far so good.  It was nice and pleasant on the Balcony. I saw a couple walking.  The walk around the Lake has been partly closed while construction has been going on forever.  This couple I mentioned are very spry for their age. He looks as if he is really working hard to keep up with her.  I would say they are in their early 80's. Like Truman, he walked till 89. That is when he had a stroke. Played golf the day he got sick.  Amazing he was.

Jan  is working with screening this morning and will pick up a few groceries for me after she finishes.  I need a few soft things to eat after my tooth surgery on Tuesday. Wish me luck.

Betty Boop

NICE LUNCH VISIT

Sure enjoyed lunch and visit yesterday.  To host four lovely, pretty, girls was fun.  Jan, Amy, Karen, and Ashley were my guest yesterday at lunch.  We did a lot of catching up.  Ashley is  going back to State in a few days to her apartment and studies to become a Vet.  How great.  She seems to be looking forward to what is next.  Karen is doing well just now.  Hope that continues.  Jan and Amy are always welcome to me.  Such a nice day. 

My maid was cleaning this being my morning. I sat and read in the Bubble.  I had to go buy some coffee because my little Mr. Coffee uttered it's last gurgle.   I will have to buy a new one.  Nobody fixes something like small things like that.  O well, I have a new toaster, so now I will have to buy a new coffee pot.   That big "old" 8 cup one is just to big to fool with.  I am not even sure  if I still have it.  A small 4 cup size where I can make 2 cups and it sits on the counter not  
taking up too much space will  be what I  buy when I get a chance.

SO BE IT
DOT (Betty Boop)  Ellis

CALM AFTER STORM

Nice size thunder storm really watered everything.  My plants took a beating.  One blew over and broke part of it.  I  hope the part that broke off will take root again.  Bitsy was so calm during the rain and thunder. Sometime I wonder how I got such a cat.   Yesterday I did get a haircut.  O. K. (I guess.)  Never know what I will get. It is short and dark anyway. 

I am having guest for lunch.  My niece and her daughter, who is headed back to Vet School. Mississippi State of course. is there any other place to be?
  Loves it.  Amy and Jan will round out my guest list.  I am sure I will enjoy their visit. Just hope the food is good!!! 

Betty Boop