MONDAY

Rose color for this morning.  I sat on the Balcony after finding a spot behind the post to get away from the sun.  It is a beautiful morning.  I am looking for October. One of my favorite months.  First I remember the blue of October skies.  Reminds me of when Jan was born on Oct. 2.  That little sweetie was born with a lot of dark hair and eyes that looked at me and wondered who I was.  Your Mom little girl, and what a wonderful woman she grew into.  Love her and appreciate her every day. Amy and I were alone after Church to have lunch.  Others were busy and we went to PANERA again for lunch.  Others don't care for it, but we like it.  We then went to put Fall flowers for Truman.  That place is so soothing and I hope he is resting and waiting for me to join him.  I am not ready, apparently, so I will keep on keeping on till my time comes too.

You should see my tablescape in the hall.  It is very "cute."  Very nice I think.  My neighbors think so.  They seem to appreciate my doing it.  I love playing with it.  Well, lets get on with the day and see what is there for me.

Betty Boop

SUNDAY MORNING.

Morning Has Broken.  It is beautiful.  It will be a good day.  Church, then lunch.  Don't know who will be there yet. Amy and MG and Ryan are headed to Disney World to see Harry Potter World.  They all love Harry Potter.  Many do.  They will fly out tonight for a week.  Lucky dogs. 

Jan and I had a good visit yesterday.  We are getting excited for Ashley and Bryan.  A baby shower is coming up and she helped me order from Amazon from their choices.  How easy that is.  So much is easy with the computer.  I am glad I can do what I do on it. 

See you in Church
Sweetly Be,
Betty Boop

SATURDAY

Should be a good day. Jan is coming. We will take care of a few things, visit, eat lunch. Now that is a good day. I want her to help me find my Halloween stuff.  This crazy place of people love these kind of  holidays.  Some are already decorated.  They love the candy part I think.  Lots of them put out bowls of candy.  So we are "sweet" for a while. 

Here is the poem for the Library board, that I wrote in just 15 minutes!!  I guess it reflects that little time I put into it.

FALL

This Fall is coming slow,
This we all know.
Be first to pick up speed.
New books are here to read.

By Bot Ellis  2019

Sweetly Be
Dot Ellis

CLEANING DAY HOO RAY !!

Always glad to see Barbara.  So is Bitsy.  When she is finished and out, Bitsy tells me in many words what has happened and she has observed.  I mean she goes on and on about it.  While waiting   for her to work, I stayed out in the Bubble and read and watched the Canada Geese.  The number is getting larger.  Two gaggles in opposite  ends of the Lake.  And as many as 26 in each group.  Better be good or we will have to ask you to leave.  I had breakfast in the Cyber and enjoyed it.  Had to get up early for maid to come at 8:30.  On the way back I met a man who has a garden on the hill.  He was tired and hot, but told me he was clearing his summer garden and getting ready to plant a Fall one and he said:  "Why am I doing this?" "It is getting harder and harder."  I guess we try to, keep up so we wont go backwards. Sometime it is just best to  let some things go.  I must try and "belt out" a new short poem for the Library Board.  Why do I do this?  Well it keeps my mind nimble  and I love to see my work where someone can enjoy it. (I hope.)

Betty (The Poet) Boop

FATHER TIME

I overslept.  Slow start.  What is wrong with that?  We all need one now and then.  It seems to me, I am having too many s-l-o-w ones.  I think back, and not to long ago, when I would have my days full and enjoy it all.  But Father Time has caught up with me and I am doing less and less.  I do love to read and am reading a lot. Need to get out of that favorite chair and stay busy.  The Christmas project is going well and I need to keep up the momentum.  The little trees will soon be a forests and I am proud of Bitsy for letting me do this without her assistance. I think her allergy is catching up with her. She loves to lay on paper.  Any kind she can find.  Of course it is best in the sunshine.  So she keeps moving. Cats are interesting.  You just know that the are smarter than you sometime.  On a lighter note, I have been looking at MPB with a country music documentary.  It has been so good.  Ken Burns does a good job with them.  I like country music for it's story  telling.  Hank Williams has been playing for me and Bitsy.  When I go from the apartment for any length of time, I leave her with a CD playing.  Often it is Hank pinning away with his sad life.   She likes that.

Betty Boop  

CAT

I brought my picture of Bitsy home yesterday and it sits on my desk.  It has been on display down stairs with other pet pictures of residents.  If it had been a contest-we know who would win.  It was a very popular display.  Bitsy is not only beautiful but smart.  She is totally devoted to me.  Follows me wherever I am and observes my actions. If I get off routine, she knows it.   O. K. enough of bragging.  At lunch yesterday a long time resident filled in an empty space.  I think he is funny to talk to.  Although he is hard of hearing (who isn't here?) We talked about how we all have sleep problems.  He knows what to do.  He said he wakes about 1:30 in the morning and fixes himself a "toddy."  Drinks it and reads a little and then goes back to bed and sleeps like a baby.  Sounds like a plan to me. Maybe I should try it.????  Guess not, as I am embarrassed  to even think about going into a liquor store and heaven forbid that I ask a daughter to buy it for me. So I need to look for another solution. Any suggestions?

Betty Boop

PLESANT AND QUIET

Nobody in sight as I drink coffee and contemplate my day.  My Chair comes to mind.  It is like an old friend.  Been recovered two times because I couldn't find another to fit me.  We have done a lot together.  Watched TV, cried together, laughed, read many books together, had many snacks, prayed, visited with family, told secrets to Bitsy, even wrote poems and essays.  Yes like a friend, I love my chair. 

Here is something to make you laugh: 
I eat my peas with honey
I've done it all my life
It makes the peas taste funny
But it keeps them on my knife.!!
 
Anonymous  But I wish I had thought of it first.
 
Betty Boop
 
 

P.S. to blog

I FOUND MY GLASSES--THEY HAD SLIPPED FROM THEIR HOLDER INTO THE DARK DEPTS OF MY PURSE.  AT LEAST I FOUND THEM BEFORE A REAL SEARCH BEGAN.  OH WELL DON'T TELL AMYONE THAT I AM SLIPPING !!!!!!

Betty  (all is well)  Boop

PLANTS GIVING UP

 
Amy and I had lunch after Church at PANERA's yesterday.  The 10 veg. soup is so good.  A turkey sandwich topped it off.  Very popular place, and the service is quick and good.  I left my glasses at Church again. At least I hope they are there.  Haven't checked yet.   Amy is going to have to remind me each time I think, to check my purse before we get away.  I am so needy. I really hate to be this way.  SO BE IT.

My large pot on the Balcony has something growing on the plants that should not be there.  Over night they are all dying. I will have to pull them out and look forward to next year. The heat has been rough on all of them this year,  and all people too.  A little hint that the weather soon will be better.  Always does.  Hang in there.

Betty Boop

SUNDAY MORNING

The sky and clouds are beautiful this morning.  As I sat on the Balcony, I saw many kinds of clouds.  I love to read them.  As I have mentioned before. I see Truman in my mind when I look at the small holes that have blue in the middle.   I pretend he is looking down on me from his perch above.  I know it sounds impossible, but to me it is something I have created to make me smile.  Wish I did know more, but as the old gospel song goes, we'll understand it all by and by. 

I made 3 trees yesterday.  Good for me.  It is  harder than I expected.  Must find so better short cuts.  I may have to use the glue gun after all.  This glue in the tube is hard to handle and I am not sure it hold as well as glue in the glue gun does.  I hope not because that gives me more problems.  You don't want to hear them all.   I will figure it out.  At least Bitsy has chosen to be a bystander and not a helper.

Betty Boop

GET STARTED

The "Saturday Girl" is out of town so I will have to do what the other one said and "get started",  on my project.  I make such a do about nothing. Actually I am concerned about this resident cat.  She does not know that I allow her to live here, she thinks she is the owner, and I am just her maid and do as she tells me to.  I guess there is a little truth in that.  I know when I set the new materials out and open the glue, she will be right there.  Any new thing that I do, she feels like she must supervise and be right in the middle. So I am such a wimp about making her mind that I am the problem and not her (altogether.)   So, I plan to make just 3-5 today and feel good about it.  Sound like a plan? We will see.

Sweetly Be
Betty Boop

COOL 74 DEGREES !!

Could not believe it.  Actually cool out there.  Wonderful rain yesterday helped.  Amy got very wet and all my groceries did too.  I am sorry she got caught in it.  But it helped so much to get relief from the hot, hot, hot.  Enjoy while we can.  The Balcony had a nice breeze and promise of better to come.  That is what I like about the South.  Always changing.

I must get myself together and start the Xmas project.  Every thing I need is in place except my "get up and go."  I know I will get things going if I ever just "do" it.  I am afraid I will have to deal with Bitsy when I do.  She is so curious about something new.  Maybe the smell of cinnamon and glue will keep her at a distance. Please tell me to get started.!!!

Betty Boop

NOT A GOOD START

Since my blood sugar was normal, I decided to go to the Cyber for breakfast.  Should have stayed here.  I really wanted a pancake.  The "new" girl and the only one there, said they were not making pancakes and waffles this morning.  O.K. give me 2 eggs over light, bacon. rye toast and coffee.  I drew my coffee in my cup and discovered it was COLD !  The coffee maker had been on the blink the day before someone said.  She said it was not hot yet.  No!! They came and exchanged it out for another.  Meanwhile, My breakfast was ready so I ate it without coffee.  Stayed long enough for coffee to get hot again.  Not the same as drinking it with my breakfast.  Oh, well not much to complain about.  I had not slept well.  I am trying MELATOMIE for sleep.  I tried it a while ago-did not work then-still does not work for me.  I feel groggy the next day and did not let me sleep any better.  r45t6666666666666666666666666666666666666666  Bitsy just walked across the computer.  I will take it as a hello to you from her.  Fun for the day.

Betty Boop

BREAK-A-LEG

I got curious about the phrase break a leg.  I found so many meanings and so many beliefs about it.  Read it for yourself.  But, that is what we did last night. And we took bows at the knees like the sayings goes.  The stage was full of us fun loving people. trying to give laughter and fun to a packed audience.  Two performances I guess was still not enough.  No one offered to do it again.  I bet we would all jump at the chance to do it all over again, for we did all enjoy the experience.  Sister Dorthea  and another nun was on the front row.  An honor for us.  It went well, but I was wiped out.  Did not sleep well. Maybe I will get over it soon and stop singing I'll Fly Away in my head soon. 

Now on to my Xmas project next.  Must keep pushing ahead or I will stop too soon.

Sweetly Be
Betty Boop

PUNCH LINE THEATER

HAS HE GONE HOME--Play by our very talented  play members went very well. To a packed house, including Amy, M.G. Jan and Tommy in the audience .  My, my, I had said it is the last one I would do, but when you get bitten by the "bug", it may be hard to turn down a small part in the future.  We will see.  It is just something good about fun together with friends, acting in ways you never dreamed of, that makes you proud.  None of us have much experience, me none, but It is good to get the courage to get on stage.  We have another performance  tonight and I am sure I wont be able to sleep --  maybe I will be too exhausted not to.  M. G. brought me a dozen beautiful yellow roses.  She is so sweet and thoughtful.  So are the others who came to watch this "old girl" perform (?) 
Betty Boop
P. S. Jan flew off the Fort Wayne early this morning.  Safe trip to her.

SHOW TIME

Curtain time!!  Lights, action, and GO!! A big to-do over a little thing.  Yet I have been building it up in my mind till it is BIG. Actually I will be glad to have it done and hope it goes well. I am talking about the PLAY.  At 3:oo today and then tomorrow at 6:45.  Two performances.  We are thinking big this year.  My last one to do I think.  Fun but stressful now. I need to get on with my Christmas gifts for friends. Never say Never.

LITTLE TOKYO  was our gathering place yesterday.  I do enjoy the food and the quietness of the place.  Of course any place is good when I have daughter,  two granddaughters, and their good-looking smart spouses  to talk to.  I also talked to Linda in the afternoon.  Always good to catch up with her and her family.  Will see her and Joe at our Fall campout later this month.  Good.  I had a good, full day. Hope this one is good too.

Betty Boop

P.S.  I did have coffee on the Balcony and early it is not too hot.

STAND CORRECTED

O. K. About the Green Goddess !!   Amy did locate it and Jan brought it (as a gift) I  might add.  How lucky I am to have such thoughtfulness among my children.  You all received a complement a day or so ago.  My friend at the lunch table said after someone commented   about my thoughtful family.  She said that I must have been a good mother  also when you all were growing up.  I don't know how good I was, but I loved my place as a Mother.  Still do!! And by the way, thanks to   everyone who commented on Truman's birthday. He will always be remembered as a loyal Dad, faithful and loving husband, and the most honest man I have ever known. He loved his family. His Papa was a good role model.  He had a good upbringing  too from his Mother, That seems to be a major part of someone's lives. Enough of this chatter.  Going to Church,( another good thing.)

Betty Boop 

GREEN GODDESS

Ahhhh!!  Goddess salad dressing.  You have been found again.  Where have you been hiding?  Amy found you at Wal Mart.  Of  course, where else could you be?  I had a wonderful Cob Salad from the Cyber at supper last night.  With the dressing and Melba toast--was soooo good.  The salad was so big that I had only half of it.  Thank you Amy.  It's the small blessings that count. 

I actually had a good night, and woke up at 6.  It was bearable on the Balcony that early.  Nothing to report of interest.                         NO BANANAS

After eating lunch in style,
We stroll on our way out.
To yellow bananas in a pile
Empty!!  What's that all about?

Excuses--Is the truck late?
Need mine today,
Is this our fate?
What more is there to say?

At last from the kitchen they come.
All our worries relieved.
Where did they come from?
In bananas we all believe.

By Dot Ellis, September 2019

Betty Boop

COOL IN THE BUBBLE.

I sat in the Bubble (sun room over looking the Lake).  Barbara and Bitsy were cleaning.  Barbara cleaning and Bitsy watching.  I saw a pretty sight, at least to me.  Canada geese are making a comeback.  So far they  are being quiet and on good behavior.  I saw a gaggle of about 12 or 13  coming together slowly down toward the Lake.  They move so slow, you have to watch to see them move.  They made their way to the water's edge and slipped one by one into the water.   Swam around in groups and made line formations and circles as if they were putting on a show.  After a short while they seemed done swimming and out they spilled onto the bank and slowly made their way to graze the new mowed grass.  Then satisfied, they left as they came without a sound.  They usually make a big to do about flying in and out, but not today.  Now all this seems a simple event to report, but it was a sight to see-- to me.  I also got inspired to write a poem, but not about geese. I started it yesterday and finished it today.  Now I will try to print it out for the VILLAGER And maybe later for you.  If I get the Blog too long you might not read it. Nice to have time to observe and to write.  Lucky me.

Betty Boop

GOOD MORNING

Going slow this morning. Sign of the "times."  I had grits his morning instead of toast.  Have to be careful. I worry about my diet all the time.  Trying to stay on track and sometime it is hard. I enjoyed talking to my tablemate yesterday about her  cat.  She can tell a story so well.  Makes me laugh. Her cat is fat, she said.  The Vet.  tells her every visit that she is feeding her too much.  I think I feed Bitsy too much too.  They are so cute when they beg and you feel sorry for them.  Mistake!!  They may be cute but also not dumb and know just what to do to get their way.  Oh well, Bitsy is worth the trouble she gives me.  Someone to tell your troubles to and she gives me a good feeling that I am taking care of someone beside myself. 

Betty Boop

SUN IS SHINNING

Still hot !!  I seem to remember this same old story every year when we are so glad it is finished with one season..  Always wanting a change.  I am glad I live where the seasons are so pronounced.  But sometime it does get tiresome when on and on it goes. Need another subject. 

Play practice went well.  I think it will be funny.  No more practice till dress rehearsal next Monday when friends and relatives are invited.  Not happy about that but we expect a big crowd on play day and your invited guest are invited to come on dress rehearsal day.  O well, at least my family understands.  I will for the first time be glad it is done.  I don't think I will do it again. I can't take the stress anymore.  Although my part is small and surely not difficult, I still worry about it.  I want to do my best.  I need to be laying in the sun and napping like my cat Bitsy is right now.  She takes time to  move with the sun space and enjoy.

Betty Boop

BEAUTIFUL BALCONY

You have to get up early to get good time on my balcony.  I beat the sun this morning and it was actually pleasant.  Now that I have finished second cup-o-joe, and am inside looking out, the sun is beaming down and I am sure it will be another hot one.  Summer is hanging on and Fall is pushing to come.   I think all will welcome it. 

I had oatmeal for breakfast. It seems like a winter thing?  I do like it, any time, especially with blueberries.  My supply of them is still secure for a while.  They make cereal of any kind better.  Mr. T. is coming for History Club. And lunch.  We both enjoy it.

Betty Boop

MOMDAY MORNING

Just finished my breakfast.  I brought a biscuit from yesterday lunch at Church.  We had lunch after church service.   Was nice and reminded me of old days, when we had such a lot of times to have a meal together there.  I was impressed with my daughter Amy and her skills in decorating the tables.  I was reminded of so many times I did the same thing.  I loved doing it and felt it was a part of my worship to do so.  Of course Amy does it better than I did.  The crowd was so much smaller and I am concerned for our Church's future.  Maybe our past was all part of the great plan and we did what we were supposed to do in the scheme of the whole picture.  I know Broadmeadow was a powerful force in sending new young men and women to preach and work in the church.  So many good outreach  programs we had and I was glad to be in the middle of wonderful time in Broadmeadow's history.  Maybe there is more and I hope we can hold on.  Being a charter member for over 50 years, I have seen a lot of history first hand. I did not mean to "preach"., but it was on my mind as I enjoyed yesterday at church.  It is still an important part of my life, every day. Although I am unable to do as much as I used to do. I still support it with my prayers, gifts, and just being there, as I pledged to do along time ago .

Betty Boop

MISSING BALCONY

I have been avoiding the Balcony the last few days.  Reason?  Just too hot even early in the morning.  I get the morning sun and I like that usually, but it has been just too hot.  Soon, soon, I will be back to enjoying my time there. Jan and Mr. T. came yesterday,(Saturday) for lunch and visit.  Always happy to see them.  Jan brought a few things I needed from Kroger. Kroger has it made here.  Wish we had some more options. 

I have been reading a lot lately.  New books in Library keep me on my toes, trying to grab them as they are checked back in.  Our Library is very popular.  I imagine lots of us who are retired and more time to do as we please, are enjoying more reading. I have always made room to read. I even get up during a sleepless night and read to get sleepy.  Sometime it works, sometime not.  Well JIMMY DEAN whole wheat muffin with sausage, egg and cheese was good with coffee and O.J.  My usual  Sunday treat.  It is quick and nothing to clean up, except coffee pot-no problem. 

BETTY BOOP

THIS IS THE DAY

The day I finally got up early enough to eat breakfast in the Cyber.  Have been trying for days, but just could not get there early.  I enjoyed it although-no rye bread for toast.   Oh well, I will live without rye and have plain old whole wheat.  Now as I write this, I sound so self centered.  I am thankful for bread at all. I brought y coffee to the Bubble.  Saw geese sunning on the shore and being quiet about it.  Little hummer tried to get in the window to a hot pink flower and gave up.. They are kind of crazy and filling up for the long ride south.  Do the storms make a difference in their flight pattern.?   Some go way to South America I am told. 

I am proud of my computer skills this morning.   Never mind it took me the better part of the day to figure it out.   But I actually printed a form sent to me by a Dr. from my computer to the printer and got copies.  Wow!!  Good for me.  I still can't tell you how I did it-but I did. People do this every day and think nothing of it. Most of them have been using the computer since before they go to school. Good thing, if you must thrive in this  day and age.

Betty Boop

B

Try this blue.  Kind of faded looking.  Just like me.  I have been taking care of reordering meds this morning,  I pay by Visa and they have my card # on file.  I usually don't owe for my most of my meds.  She said my credit card had expired.  I looked at the date and sure enough it had just  expired a few days ago.  I have not received my new one.  A mistake I am sure, but I have to find out why I have not gotten a new one.   How I hate stuff like this.  I have never failed to pay the bill every month on time.  So that means I have a problem of some sort.  Oh me!!!  It did not delay my order for meds, but I must see to it soon.

On a more pleasant note--Linda and Joseph came for a short visit.   They had lunch with me yesterday before heading home.  I was very happy to see them both and we had a nice visit.  Linda always brings thoughtful gifts.  This time it was no exception.  I will use the new dish scrubber for a long time, as it is machine washer safe and will last a long time. So welcomed because what I had been using was old and not safe anymore.

Better go and "get to it."
Betty Boop 

LABOR DAY

We never made too much over Labor Day as a celebration.  Just an ordinary day off from work.  When we worked outside of the home, it was nice to get a day off, but later, when retired-it was just another day.  Now, I will have a nice lunch in the dinning room and just enjoy my friends.  I saw a man fishing early. Hope he had luck.  It is nice for those who live here who like to fish to walk right out and just do it.  I am sure they throw them back.  Truman used to fish and hunt and I cooked whatever he brought home.   Just like his Mother did.  He really did enjoy fishing and hunting as a boy growing up,,  I have heard many stories about it. 

My Poem Scrapbook is almost finished.  It is full.  I guess I need to hang up my talent and long yellow  legal  pad and pencil and call it quits.  I can't seem to make as much of it as I used to.  Ideas just wont come as the did at first. Maybe I am done.

Betty Boop

SATURDAY

I had an adventure Saturday with Jan.  I surprised her with, "I want to  go to Kroger today."  It is usually just too much for me anymore, but I do miss it.  I have always liked to grocery shop.  So we went, never mind it was a BUSY HOLIDAY WEEKEND AND SATURDAY TOO.  Busy, but I braved it.  I can hold on to the cart and that works.  But the cart got heavier and heavier.  My list grew, the more I saw. Toward the end I was about to loose it.  We went by CHICK FILE'T, one of my favorite fast food places, and brought it here to my Bubble to eat.  That was so nice to sit there and wind down with good food and each other's company.  After a long nap I was ready to navigate again. 

Betty Boop