PARADE

 As I watched the walking Ladies go by (you know their names) I thought it would be funny if I slipped down in my robe and slippers and cup of coffee, and sat on the bench next to the sidewalk where the walkers walk and said "good morning, I watch you every day."  I guess they would be surprised and run for help.  But wouldn't that be fun?  

No birds or geese or ducks this morning. Kind of still, maybe rain later. But I did see a little humming bird dart on my balcony and try to get a sip from the begonia plant.  It is a hot pick color and he decided right away it had nothing to offer him.  They are very active right now, getting ready for the flight south.  Amazing. So are you, keep reading me, I like that.

Betty Boop 

DECALS

Funny how the mind wanders.  Mine went back away this morning to the first house we built and had three little girls born there.  Meadow Ridge Drive.  G. I. Sub. they called it.  First home of many G. I.'s.  Wonderful place to start a family after the WWII. days.  Anyway, we were all in the same boat, getting our civilian life back on track.  I remember we were short on money and cut corners trying to save. I created a lot of the extra things I wanted.  Like decorating my new kitchen.  MORGAN & LINDSAY  5 & 10 cent store (as they called) in Fondren was new and we could afford it. Fun.  Had everything you could want for a new house.  I discovered decals.  They had a wonderful assortment. I put them on the kitchen cabinets  and on flower pots in the window. Very pretty  to me.  I needed a toy box.  Make your own.  Found a large cardboard  at the A&P.  Painted it inside and out to make it stay stiff, put big decals of animals on the sides.  Looked good and worked for a long time.  We also haunted the discards at A&P for apple crates..  Truman mad a nifty little bookcase by painting and stacking them to make a much needed place for the the many little 25 cent LITTLE GOLDEN Books that I liked to read to them. (also from A & P) Many other sweet memories come to mind about those Meadow Ridge days.  I will spare you, but I will remember.

Betty Boops

HICKERY DICKERY DOC

The mouse ran up the clock!! Guess what, he forgot to come down and that stopped the clock.  Time seems to have stopped--  In a bad spot.  In a way that is not true either.  Because time is flying by fast too. Here it is Saturday again. I really don't know what I am trying to say, except it is all so confusing .  Do you ever feel that way?
Let's go back to the Balcony. I am content there.  I saw a new couple this morning. Man and I assume it was his lady.  Rather young by the standard here.  They  went at a fast "clip".  More power to them.  Miss Big Hat came by (minus her big hat.)  Almost did not know her without her hat.  Little bugs of some sort are bothering me this morning.  They are so small that I can't see them, but I feel them in my nose and eyes. So I will go in and write-no bugs there.   By the way, have you been watching the conventions on TV? Can't tell who is telling the truth. So what else is new?  Somebody  get the mouse and see what he can do!!!  Maybe send us to another time, but where would that be?  Go figure.

Betty Boop

CYBER FOR LUNCH?

NEW POEM FOR VILLAGER::

MEET ME IN THE CYBER

Maybe Cyber for lunch?
Sounds very good.
Round up the bunch,
Is that understood?

I really miss that place,
And all my friends too.
With smiles on their face,
But what can we do?

Breakfast with eggs-over-light!!
Sausage and biscuits too.
What a beautiful sight!
But what can we do?

Just hang in there and wait,
Patients we really need.
Maybe earlier than late.
First to the Cyber-- I'll lead.

Dot Ellis  2020

My editor accepted it--feels good to be accepted.     BETTY BOOP

ONE MORNING IN MAINE

For some reason I thought of the McCloskey children books about the state of Maine.  His children books were my favorite to read to my children and grandchildren.  Little Sal was lucky to live there.  I had blueberries on my waffle this morning and I thought of the one-BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL and her picking blueberries with the surprise of the bear on the other side of where she was picking.  Friendly little cub who was afraid of her and she him.  My breakfast was good.  Still had wonderful berries in my freezer.

Weather is very unsettled to say the least.  Looks like rain from LAURA will affect us.  On the Balcony I did not see walkers. they are unsettled too.  Silly me, I always like to wash clothes when it rains.  Throwback from when I had no dryer and had to hang diapers (yes diapers) in a rack inside.  No HUGGIES in those days.  So I celebrate with a dryer these days, but no diapers in sight. 

Betty(creating her own fun) Boop

RAIN-A-COMING

My friends, the walkers are getting ahead of it.  A little breezy, but that feels good.  Biding my time till a new adventure tomorrow.  8 o'clock appointment with eye Dr.  Jan has one too.  We both get field vision test.  So we are first in line and hopefully it all goes smooth.  Must have some appointments to stay well.  Can't just put them off till virus lets us loose.  So here we go and  not too worried bout it.

I was thinking of a poem I wrote a while back about this little man I met in the hall.  About 2 or 3 feet tall, dressed like an elf. Remember?  I will look it up.  As well as I remember, we danced in the hall.  My imagination is crazy.  I must visit him again and dance a jig--in my mind-through a new poem. O. K. I am loosing it again.

Betty (just trying to survive)  Boop

NEW WEEK

Had trouble with Sunday.  For some reason it was lonesome.  Lunch with it's very tender beef tenderloin was very good.  Church service too, but everything caught up with me.  I did make two beautiful tissue flowers for two of my friend's birthday cards. They are at the end of the week, so I am ready.  New paper Jan sent me helped so much. So many of my old friends are either moved to Siena of Marian Hall-some to much better place in Heaven.  Not many left that I have known from when I first moved here. That made me sad to think about them. Time does move on. My School theme decorations in the Hall have brought complements.  I guess we love to shake up memories and this one does.  

Saw BIG HAT AND GLOVES, HANDS BEHIND BACK, MAN OR LADY? (can't tell which), and Louis on the sidewalk sweeper, he waved at me!!  Mikey and Suzy (with a z), had biscuit  crumbs for breakfast, lucky them and lucky me.

Betty Boop  

SUNDAY--SUNDAY

Another Sunday on the TV.  I am glad for that.  I get dressed up and grab my Bible and sit and watch and listen.  Even make a stab at singing too.  SO  BE IT.  I will take what I can get, and it is pretty good.  Three times I listen to good sermons and try to take  them for myself.  What I miss most is the people.  

Had a full day yesterday.  The Lord gave me energy to get some things done.  I changed the Beach "decor" on the Hall table to a school theme.  School pictures of me and Truman, ruler, pencils, crayons, paste, reader, and a  fake apple for the teacher, A picture of a school room with children in a circle playing a game.  I have had that drawing a long time.  It is one you have to see.   Well that feels good to change it and next will be October with Halloween and maybe something Fall. I love doing this.  Bitsy likes it too.  She is right up there with her nose into  everything.  She does not get much excitement. Me either.  I did get a delivery from Jan with some needs. New tissue paper for making flowers was one item.  I still make them to put on Birthday cards.  Better go and get ready  for "Church."

Betty Boop

NATIONALSENIOR CITIZENS DAY

Did you let it get by with out celebrating?  Oh, you  did not hear about it?  Well, we out here at SCV have two very capable Activity directors and they don't let much get past them.  They work together beautifully to do many nice things for us seniors.  They ordered old time penny candy from Amazon.  (They have most anything you can think of) Took me back to my little girl days when if I was lucky to have 5 cents to spend. Off to the neighborhood drug store, where I could pick 5 pieces of candy.  Off I would go with my little brown sack and feel very rich.  Anyway the girls arranged many different kinds of penny candy in glass bowls along with bubble gum too. Also CRACKER JACKS.  Remember them?  With a prize at the bottom of box.  There on the box was Jack himself in his Sailor suit, along with his dog, Bozo, I think that was his name.  They had fancy made cup cakes too.  What fun, even with our mask on and 6 feet apart, we Seniors had a little pocket of fun.

Betty Boop 
P.S. I could not 
eat all that sugar, so relied on memory of those sweet treats of long ago.

MULTITASKING

I am not talking the younger days, when as raising young kids--when you could load the washer, stir something on the stove, supervise two small girls at breakfast, kiss your husband good bye, and sip a cold cup of coffee and as they say "with a baby on your hip." all at the same time!! Yes those days were hectic and expected. Great memories.  But today I have been forced to do everything one thing at a time.  Can't open the fridge with something in hand to place it there, take a hand full of items to put them in place all at once.  Must remember only one task at a time.  Have trouble writing a note while talking on phone.  I could go on and on but if you are of a certain age,  you will recognize the picture.  So my song for today is "One thing"  at a time. Now I understand why I am always so slow to get things done in a timely manner.  I have to do it one thing at a time.

SO BE IT 
Betty Boop

FINE & DANDY

Find and dandy.  Looked up old sayings on Google.  Was not clear - --it just means what it says.  Been used a long time.  I used it this morning for my new Mr. Coffee machine.  It is just fine and dandy. I think there is an eatery named Fine & Dandy?  These old sayings interest me.  There are so many and many go  way back  It was very cool on Balcony.  Just the same, my neighbor who loves to fish, was out there early.  He had a partner.!!  Could not tell who or what gender either.  You know ladies like to fish too.  My neighbor fishes every day and catches rather large ones.  I wonder what he does with them, because he parades around the Lake with his catch on a string like he is going to clean and fry, but he lives in a Studio apartment and there is very little room to cook.  Especially fish! UGH!----  Phil and JJ are growing.  Phil is pushing JJ.  What to do about that? Oh my, what a lot of small subjects in one paragraph.  Must go now.

Betty (just wandering)  Boop

NEW POEM A--BREWING

I have several subjects on my mind for a poem for the VILLAGER.  One comes forward today, since it is the deadline to submit.  I seem to work better that way.  Anyway it is about my beloved Cyber Cafe'.  It got me thinking how I used to enjoy early morning breakfast with my favorite server, who could cook eggs over light to perfection.  I made one here this morning myself.  Did a pretty good job.  With turkey sausage and whole wheat toast instead of the wonderful biscuits (a treat.)  I can dream of those long ago days and hope to enjoy the Cyber soon.

Of course that is not my only hope.  Many things are more important.  But, as a human, that I am, I can dream about the good things I miss.

Betty (happy breakfast) Boop

FEELS GOOD ON BALCONY

Hope it last for a while.  BIG HAT & HANDS BHIND HER BACK  just went by.  All is well!!  I had a little fun yesterday when I opened a box.  I knew what it was, but it is fun to get something through the mail.  Delivering all that mail is still a wonderous thing.  Right?  My MR. COFFEE  maker was leaking water.  Kind of got old at 6:30 every morning.  I decided I did not have to put up with it any more.   My Personal Shopper ordered one from Walmart.  What fun to get a package.  Opened it and prepared it according to directions and gave it a trial run with just water and instructed.  (I always read them)  It worked and this morning with coffee grounds it made a perfect leak-proof cup-o-joe-.  Drank it on Balcony-Life is good.

Betty Boop

BREEZY ON BALCONY

Just the way I like it.  Resident Egret sits in a Cyprus tree across the Lake.  Not disturbed by the sidewalk sweeper that Louis loves to drive.  He seems to enjoy that part of the day. when he prepares for the walkers.  Miss Big Hat waltzed by and saw one lady on the end of Lake.  I guess more will come this morning as the air is perfect.  I love to sit out there early.  Before the day has really started. I sort of get my "will to live" back on track.  Some days lately are kind of weary and can't see the future clear.  But I have to remind myself that it is not for me to understand, but to always, always have trust and hope--Lord give me Faith.  But do you know what?  I was inspired to write 2 poems.  Both funny and uplifting.  So I need to write the title and subjects down or I just might forget.  

Betty Boop

AT MY POST AGAIN

I mean my POST On The Balcony.  Two newbies and both men. Not as interesting as the "girls."  MISS BIG HAT  went by, swinging her arms wearing that big flower pot of a hat.  Gloves and a long gauzy skirt.  Another in shorts-did not know  her.  When you miss a few days, the scene changes.  Geese are still here, grazing on the Meadow.  Humming birds are fighting around the feeders.  Getting fat to fly south soon.  Amazing little  birds. Little signs of Fall in the air.  I think I heard Cicadas too.  Always makes me think of starting school.  My that has changed.  I am hoping that goes well for the kids this year.  I have several little projects ongoing. A little writing project and  also an art one. Something  beside reading,  which I have been doing a lot . Amy has been bringing me large-print books regularly and she knows how to pick ones I have enjoyed a lot. Well I must go and get ready for TV church.  Still miss actually going to my Church, but you do what you have to do.

Betty Boop

I AM BACK

My computer has been out for a few days.  Made a house call to my nice son-in-law, to "cleaned it up" (as he calls it )-THANK YOU- and to MG & Amy who worked  to make some things more simple for me.  I hooked it up and held my breath till it came on.  I was afraid I would not remember where all those cords would go.  I guess I did it right because here I am.  I really missed it for a few days.  I will catch up tomorrow with the things out here and talk about the Balcony.  It has been nice out there lately and I missed my rambling words to whoever wants to read  them. I write as much for myself as for others to read.  But thank you for reading.

Betty Boop

SUNDAY & MONDAY MORNING

Miss HANDS BEHIND BACK, MR. SLOW AND STEADY, MISS BIG HAT, MISS FAST WALKER all went by.  Now we can get on with the show.  Mikey and Suzy came and brought guest.  Had plenty for them this morning. (toast crumbs) Yesterday was good all day.  J & T came home safely, talked to Amy, and S.& P.  Went to Church on computer.  Still not as good, but satisfied me.  I do like First Pres's minister.  He explains the verses he uses so well.  Gives me a new point sometime.  for a change it is good, I like that.  I cooked my own lunch yesterday.  Sometime that is good too.  Plain old baked sweet potato, ham slice, browned with "red eye gravy" ,baby lima beans and what we used to call Jan salad.  Banana sliced with sauce made of peanut butter and mayo.  Old favorite.  I have never been a very fancy cook, but I used to try new things sometime.  I worked on drawings I am doing for the Merkosky kids and read a little--so went the day.  Not bad at all.

Betty" count your blessings" Boop

CHATTY CATHY

Remember the doll of the 50's named Chatty Cathy?  My girls never asked for her, and I was sorry.  I wanted to play with her.  Well, this morning I was reminded of that name when on the Balcony, I observed two women.  They met on the service road out ahead of me.  They stopped and "chatted."  At least 5 minutes.  Then decided to come together around the sidewalk in front of me.  Well they did not get very far before they stopped at the Gazebo and  kept "chatting." I gave up waiting for them to come on by me, but they kept on "chatting."  Hope they enjoyed themselves.  I bet that Chatty Cathy doll was the same way.  Glad we did not get one. !!!!

Betty (full of chatty") Boop

HAIR CUT

Funny what a hair cut can do for you.  Masks, capes, for all and cleaning can really fix you up.  Our two very caring operators are amazing.  They cut everybody's hair.  They have stories to tell.  I feel so much better when I get a good trim. Even though I can't  call myself  "Little Dark  HAIRED CUTIE" anymore-- I am grey now, so that is not so cute or dark. I am into "feels good" now.  Really a good place to live and  to feel good.  

Hey, how about this weather the last week?  Weather people are really downers, because they say it is passing into DOG DAYS OF SUMMER.  I once looked up that old saying  when I wrote a poem about it.  Now I will have to look it up again as I have forgotten where it came from.  But they are-a-coming.  Be ready.

Betty Boop

testing again

testing size still no in between size of small and large.  what to do ?

no title

testing font size  testing tttttttttttttttttt  canot get norman size  nnnnnhhhhh OH WELL IT IS STUCK ON LARGE

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DAY

 Did you miss it?  Actually it was 3 days ago.  Here at SCV we celebrate everything. In the dinning room they gave out small bags of bite size FAMOUS AMOUS cookies.  It was like a small bag of gold to us. {me}, of course.  I doled them out for a few servings.  My they were good.  Really the homemade are the best.  Especially when they are eaten from  the cookie pan, right out of the oven.  I guess you can call any day National  ?  Every day is something special.  

I had the other half of grapefruit for breakfast.  Still good.  I saw Louis (maintenance man) sweeping the sidewalk with his smooth sounding golf cart with sweeper hooked to back.  He seems like he enjoys it. He is a happy person anyway.  We have some real good men and women who work here. Very dedicated to their jobs.  Oh I almost forgot-I found the person who belongs to the LITTLE MYSTERY CHAIR!!  Long story attached.  It is one of the men residents on my hall !!!  I was surprised.  Tell you in another blog, as it is a long, sort of sweet story.  

Betty (notice the script is in Chocolate)  Boop

ODE TO GRAPEFRUIT

I had half of the most fat, beautiful and pink grapefruit for breakfast.  So full of juice and perfect. And of course sprinkled with TRUVIA (sugar sub.)  That was just the start.  Egg over light, turkey bacon. SCV dinning kitchen makes the best biscuits. Toasted they are great (just one) some of it was for the birds Mikey and Suzy. Started my day right and full too.  I will eat the other half grapefruit tomorrow.  Something to look forward to. Hard to know what else to look forward to.  So I bet a lot of people are gaining weight. Not enough exercise.  I try to do stretch exercise each morning and walking the halls is a good thing I do also.  I get to at least say hello behind the MASK, even so, it is hard to recognize some, as they really look different when all you see is eyes.  I have noticed some people do smile with their eyes.  Others with their voices.  Little things you never saw before. Well, enough of that chit-chat. Look to tomorrow?

Betty Boop

COOL & BREEZY

I did not want to come in from my coffee, toast and bacon.  I had something different before I came out. RICE KRISPIES.  I picked up a serving on the "snack" line yesterday.  Strawberries on top were good too.  I saved toast crumbs for Mikey and Suzy.  They were shy to come but waited on next balcony over till I came in. It was nice there and I  saw several walkers taking advantage of the cool this morning.  MISS BIG HAT and MR. WALKING WITH CONVIDENSE among the rest.

Speaking of RICE KRISPIES did you give them to your children too.  Oh they loved the pop they did.  they still do pop, but to me, not as loud and exciting this morning.  Maybe it is just because my hearing aids are not in yet. HA!!  I had lovely strawberries with them,  I am glad we get them year around now, though they taste better when they are in season from here. Just like tomatoes-nothing like local ones.  My, I make a Blog out of nothing,  Hope you don't mind, since not a lot of new happens here lately. 

Betty Boop

Jusr Testing

My last three blogs were no good.  I finally got back to normal.  I hope so.  I really would miss writing if I could not each morning.  So hope I got it right.

Betty Boop

Try again

Did I get it right this time?  Drat them, always trying to "make it better."  Don't they know some of us don't like change?  Anyway, I finally figured it out I think. I am too upset to think about bring witty or funny so I will say have a good day.

Betty (getting old and cranky)  Boop

ANOTHER TRY

I guess I am going to have to give up the Blog too. First the instgram and now the blog is changed and I can't figure it out. So depressing, to know a little but not enough. Betty Boop

LOST THIS MORNING

They changed the blog and now I am lost. Can't fimd the color chart,Don't even know if this will publish. So Iwill try. Betty Boop

HUGS

I saw a segment on TV about hugs.  Got me thinking about them.  It said hugs were something we are missing.  Among other things too.  But people are missing personal contact.  We are not made for "social distancing."  The BIG dictionary I have said :  "To put your arms around someone and to hold closely" . "Also to cling to and cherish." Men are more prone to hug now than they used to. I guess it was not considered manly.  But now? you see it more among men.  In a more of a half hug. Now male and female tend to give full hugs to each other.  Oh, my I had better stop at that.  Mister Webster would call that a different subject.  Some shy away from hugs, but others need them, just to say hello.  Anyway, I miss hugs. Hope to "hug" all my friends and loved ones soon.

Betty Boop

SNOW WHITE & THE SEVEN DWARFS

O. K.  remember them?  It came to me how I am all those names.  Since I have been using prescription nose spray (two different ones) for a couple of days, I am reminded of them. 
DOC- WENT TO ASK ADVICE
BASHFUL- SOMETIME I AM
GRUMPY- I WAS THAT
SNEEZY- WHAT A MESS
SLEEPY- 9 HOURS LAST NIGHT!!!
DOPEY-SO WHAT ELSE IS NEW?
HAPPY-I COULD GET USED TO THIS.

So begins my day.  Hope yours is HAPPY and a little DOPEY too.

Betty Boop

SWALLOWS

I got to see an unusual sight (for me,)  I am sure most have seen it before.  Out in front of Balcony the other day I saw some kind of Swallows in feeding mode.  There were many of them, just dive bombing the air.  I finally realized they were feeding on some insect that was too small to see.  The furry went on for some time till I guess they cleared the air of whatever they were fighting for.  It went on a longtime and all of a sudden the air was still again.  Linda sees Barn Swallows.  I don't know what kind I saw.  Anyway they were taking care of  the pest.  Part of the food chain in action. What a wonder this world is.  Everything has a meaning and purpose.  Even we people. Too  bad we can't just can't, the Swallows, take care of this mess we are in and move on to something else.  I am so tired of the News.  I would like to just move on!!!!

Betty Boop