41 Shiver me timbers

I will have to look that old saying up.  But it is obvious what it means.  Stepped out to check and 41 and wind blowing a little, it was too much for my "timbers"   Weather man, David Hartman just can't wait to say that each winter  I had a LINDA breakfast ----3 minute egg in a bowl of grits.  No wash up.  

I had a wonderful surprise yesterday afternoon.  Each Christmas for a long time, my Boys (three of the best son-in-laws you could imagine always paid me a visit and brought very thoughtful gifts to me.   Best part is always a final hug and "I love you."  This year I had decided it could not happen this year when they surprised me with a Zoom visit with all three.  We enjoyed seeing each other and got caught up on their news.  It can be done if you really care and try.  Nothing could have pleased me more.  Oh, yes the present was always so well loved. This year they sent  Dolly Parton's  new Christmas album.  On it she sings duets with Michael Buble', Jimmy Fallon, Billy Ray Cyrus ,Willie Nelson, Randy Parton. All it lacked was Josh Groban. !!!!What more could I ask for.  They, the boys, are truly  one of many blessings.

Betty Boop     

SUNDAY--SUNDAY

NOT  exactly 

 

Not Balcony weather.  Wet and dreary.  But that is just the weather.  Owner and resident cat look out at the start of rain,  a lot so they they say.  I don't mind a rainy day, in fact I love it.  I had a good time looking at the Mexican manger people yesterday.  They are quite pretty.  Strange in some ways.  I hope everyone appreciates the differences as they look at my display.  As lights come on all around the Lake and many are putting up signs of the season, I am thankful for another Christmas and my family so sweet.  I love hearing from them even thought we can't give each other a hug just yet.  Maybe soon.  I hope so. Meanwhile   Breakfast of waffles and turkey sausage.  And 2 cups of coffee.

Betty Boop

55 and wind!!

All right!  Did not take long for me to drink that coffee on the Balcony.  Actually we are expecting freezing next week.  I am getting in the Xmas mood early.  Taking out old decorations will do that.  I do something funny ,  In the last years I take my Christmas cups out and drink coffee or tea through the Holidays from them.  I don't have as many as I used to, so I rotate them.  Only 5 are left. All different and all gifts.  I used one of the favorites with HO HO HO printed on it.  Like that one, my friend Betty R. gave it to me.  Sweet friend is living in assisted living now.  Amy is bring the Mexican manger figures for me to use.  I bought them in Mexico one year when we were there for the Winter.  That was a fun time,  Several years we spent January and most of Feb, there near the Mexican border. Near Brownsville.  Big RV park full of Winter Texan's ( as they were called).  Us and many Mexicans.  Over the border we went to shop.  It was a fun time.  I bet they don't let you cross over as easy as we used to.  Nor would we even want to.  Things change,  Sometime change is good.

BETTY BOOP

  

66 degrees ???

 Thanksgiving went by quietly.  I did get to talk to all 3 daughters.  I was thankful for that. I decided to take down the Thanksgiving decor'.  Gets kind of tiresome after a month.  It was good and bad to dig out the old tried and worn decorations  Some are getting very old.  Just like me.  I love them all.  I tend to want to show them all.  Nobody but me would appreciate that.  I have a large collection of Angels.  Gathered from many places over the years.  I arranged  them on my tier table outside the door.  Looks nice to me.  Had to stop because I don't know what to do on the Hall table.  Thinking for a while and it will come together (usually with Amy's help. )  So the Balcony was still and the birds were lined up on the roof across the way.  Looking for rain and colder weather for next week. A gaggle of Canada Geese flew low over the Lake, making their presence loudly heard.  My favorite Cyprus tree is so pretty as it turns it's needles from red to brown and then sheds them for the Winter.  And the world keeps turning.  Thank you Lord for seasons.

How about breakfast?  Ever tried adding chipped small pieces of cheddar cheese in as you cook your scrambled egg?  Yummy.

Betty Boop

44 DEGREES

The sun was not up when I went out.  It was very quiet.  The mist was just rising over the Lake and the reflection was breathtaking.  I thought of the song we sang so much in our SCV CHOIR.  WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD.  It is a wonderful world, even though a little uncertain and scary just now.  The sun came out  as I came in so it will warm up fast.  Weather people say colder next week.  They love to tell of change.  But that is Mississippi weather for you.  Hot today-cold tomorrow.  SO BE IT.

BETTY BOOP

RAIN OR SHINE

Call me "crazy" but yes I did make a brief appearance on the Balcony.  My chair pads were of course damp.  I pulled a chair without pad up close to the door and sat for a while.  It was not the best of times, but it was refreshing.  I drank the coffee and I began to feel damp  from the mist.  End of visit for this morning.  Hey I had waffles for breakfast.  With an orange and turkey sausage.  Got me thinking.  We had a double waffle iron in the past.  We had to mix batter for waffles then.  Mr. EGGO came later I guess.  At least we did not know about toaster waffles.  But pancakes were Truman's specialty .  He made them for the kids some Saturday's.  They wanted them made into animals.  The best he could do was a snake!  As well as I can remember Kids, what do you remember?

BETTY BOOP.   

42 AND NICE

Feeling pretty good this morning.  Wonder why? Don't ask, just be glad.  I braved the Balcony, and it was fine.  I saw a normal thing in the sky.  I know it was a jet stream, but I love to imagine.  It was a sky writer saying HELLO, where have you been so long.  He covered the width  of the sky, as far as I could see.  Later came back to write an X.  I am telling you the truth.  It was for me!!  Anyway it seemed-"back to normal."  A small thing, but what a thought!  

BETTY BOOP

44 degrees brrrr

November 23, 1946 was not as cool.  The bride was dressed for cooler weather.  In her beautiful outfit and all the clothes packed for the honeymoon were for the same.  But here she was walking in on the arm of her Daddy and very happy.  Her groom was wearing his first made-for-him outfit .  Looking shaky and happy at the same time.  Beautiful together, they were ready for any thing the world had to offer.  And though there have been ups and downs, as in any  life, they hade it and very successful and happy, with many blessings. Gosh, I remember!!  Thank you Lord for giving me the great blessing of a good man to share my life with.  I still love him, and always will.

Betty Boop  

FRENCH TOAST--YUMM

I have perfected French Toast my style!!  Had it for breakfast and enjoyed diabetic style.  I am used to that.  When the Lord gives you lemons make lemon aid?  The sky was full of every kind of cloud you could imagine.  Little blue peaking through in spots (you know my imagination on that one.)  Yes Truman is there.  

MISS BIG HAT was by this morning.  I thought of her head ware and remembered  in the 40's.  If you look at pictures of that time-we wore a scarf folded in a triangle, tied under the chin.  Everyone did..  Sometime we tied it up to cover our head and with the knot on top.  Those were Bad Hair Days, I guess.  I had lots of brown hair then and got permanents  to make it curl.  That ever-loving little bunch of curls for bangs.  Looked like everyone else.  Those were the days.  Glad I can still remember.  Don't get me wrong, I live in today too.  

BETTY BOOP

SATURDAY

SATURDAY  Lovely day so far.  Had a good afternoon yesterday.  Went to J"s and sat on the porch with A.  She brought one of the new adopted dogs with her.  So sweet as Shelter dogs and Cats are.  They are interviewing for a new home.  I remember my Bitsy getting in my lab and winning me over as I picked her.  Co Co as she is called, sat in my lap and almost went to sleep.  You might say she was "sleeping" around, trying to impress anyone.  So sweet.  Well I must go, as I have a little something to solve.  Tell you about it later as it unfolds.

BETTY BOOPS   

HELLO

52  degrees is just right.  Sun and no breeze.  Rye toast, turkey bacon and coffee on Balcony was  vey good.  Of course the first course oatmeal and banana & juice inside.  Perfect.  You can tell right off that I have zero to tell this morning.  I got up a little early.  5:30 in fact.  Hope that does not become a  habit.  But when one goes to bed at 9:30 you have plenty of sleep by 5:30.  SLEEP:  Is to dream.  And I can't always remember my dreams long enough to understand them.  Some can.  My memory and dream bank must be full by now.  Can't wait till NAP time.

BETTY BOOP  

MAKING GOOD THINGS BETTER

That is the title of a very important committee  here.  I used to belong to it.  They were out in force, working on Christmas decorating SCV yesterday. They do lots of things to make things better. Takes a while.  Lights were going up all over.  I used to belong to a lot of activity here.  Choir, plays and skits, exercise class, on staff for the Villager, and various other short time activities.  Loved it all.  Cut back a lot a short time ago.  Miss it, yet I can still write for the VILLAGER, and submit a poem each month  I write this silly little Blog-THE DOT SPOT just for my friends and family.. Activities that take too much energy are a thing in my past.  I made memories  for later .  One thing I still wish I could do is to draw and paint.  Still time--remember Grandmaw  Moses.  I love her paintings and she was well into her 80's when she painted.  Oh well I always told my children when they wanted something they could not have--"Everyone needs something to want."  How true.  How else can we live without HOPE?

BETTY BOOP

43 is chilly

 But beautiful day.  Tall pines with a blue background.  No clouds yet.  I sit this morning on the South end of Balcony.  The sun hits it first. I look at the tall, bare limbs of the Chinese Talo(sp)? Tree  Just a few a few days ago it was a beauty.  We planted one on Riverwood, I always loved it.  I wonder if it still lives.  T. also planted a Maple tree.  They  don't grow here as well as up North, but is was growing slow the last time I saw it.  Truman liked trees, he knew the names of many.  I think he loved hunting because of the woods.  Hunting as a boy and later as a man.  He would always bring some sort of a plant or tree to plant or for me to see  I think boys need to grow up in the country like he did, or at least spend some  time there. In many ways it made him the man he was.  We were married November 23, 1946.  How long ago was that?  A life time!!

Betty Boop

Betty Boop  

GOOD MORNING FROM SCV

Purple this morning, like my morning juice.  I just looked at my great grandson  on my computer.  His Mom is a wonderful Mother.  So creative and smart.  That little man is going far because of his upbringing.  No doubt about it.  I told her, I wanted to come live in her house-it looks like so much fun.  This computer is a life saver for me.  It keeps me connected with family and many other delightful past times.   Not very savvy, but I stumble through to find lots of diversion.  Another plus---ZOOM.  The three daughters and I will "see" each other this afternoon.  Sometime I wonder how long this is to go on and when will I be able to see everybody again.  I think abut the holidays coming up and how lucky I was to be in a family that loved to get together.  SO BE IT!!!

BETTY BOOP   

BREAKFAST WITH DOT

Tried a new added one.  Yogurt !! Oatmeal, stewed apples, and a couple spoons of plain  Yogurt. YOPLAIT of course.  Talk about a nice taste ,oh my it was good.  Round that out with a slice of Gouda cheese melted on whole wheat bread, juice, and coffee.  Fit for a Queen.  41 degrees was kind of nippy.  No wind and the sun made it the place to be.  MISS BIG HAT changed. her big hat to a stocking cap.  Now that was smart.  She and MISS STEP LIVLEY were both present this morning.  I am sure there will be more, because it is a perfect day.  Well, I must go and discover surprise for the day.  You never know what is coming   Pleasant or Not.

BETTY BOOP.

 

HERE COMES THE RAIN

Yes, here it comes.  MISS BIG HAT was right.  She strolled by with her umbrella up a few minutes ago.  I looked to the North at a large dark cloud approaching fast.  She was prepared.  I turned the chair pads up and came inside.  Sure enough-down it came.  Not heavy but enough to usher some cooler weather.  I expect a few walkers were not as ready as my friend BIG HAT.  

Let's change to blue for rain.  See I can  change too.  It was so nice going back to dinning room, even though we are still picking up and taking out.  We have been LOCKED down in my unit for 2 weeks with the threat of someone being exposed.  Turn out o. k. as nothing developed.  So we are a little free again.  You have more choices when you can pick what you want.  They do a good job.  I think I will  close--I am making a mess of this one.  HAVE A GOOD DAY.

BETTY BOOP

 Dr told me to sit quietly 10 minutes before I took the blood pressure.  I use that time to look over the sky and think about whatever pops into my mind.  Many thoughts come to mind in 10 minutes.  But my favorite is to watch the sky light up for the day.  Navy blue ones appeared and soon as the sun began to rise, light blue and shades of pink.  What a peaceful day to start.  So nice out there and I was reluctant to come in.  Saturday is here again.  My, my, how the weeks come and  go. 

I had a "Linda".  breakfast this morning.  When she was working, to save time she would fix instant grits and add a soft boiled egg to them.  No pans to clean and a power breakfast.  I do not have toast, grits is a sub.  But I had turkey bacon and that messed up the plan for me. One pan to wash!!

New poem for VILLAGER

BEHIND THE MASK

By Dot Ellis    2020

I know there is a smile.

Haven't seen it for a while

I trust that it is still there,

And that you still care.

Soon these memories will fade away

I am hoping for that Day.

When I see your smiling face once more.

And the MASK is not a chore!!!

BETTY  BOOP

52 again and beautiful

O what a beautiful morning.  O what a beautiful day.  I've got a beautiful feeling-everything's going my way!!  From Oklahoma. Want to hear me sing?  Not this morning.  On the Balcony I heard the birds sing.  One (Preacher) flew to the top and gave orders for the day.  They, the members of the Choir flew off to do their duty for the day.  I wish I could sing again and in our SCV choir.  We have been on hold, so to speak, for sometime.  I am sure the pause in practice has taken it's toll on most of us.  The stage productions too.  Oh well, I still have memories of that fun time.  

The clouds were beautiful this morning.  I watched in amazement at the many formations.  A sky full.  I heard a small plane, but could not see it for the clouds. among the blue and white.  Blue is my favorite color.  See plenty of blue today.  Today Blue means happy.

BETTY BOOP

52 IS CHILLY

Yes, nice on Balcony,    Little spiders have been at work.  Barbara sweeps them away and I do too, but they build so fast.  Busy little creatures.  I had a laugh on myself this morning  You know I fix Egg-in-Hole sometime.  Well this morning it was egg (out) of the hole.  Explain please.  Well instead of IN the hole, I missed the hole and half went in--half went out of hole.  I am not as quick as I used to be, but I tried to gather is up and put it back.  What a mess.  It came out alright I guess as it was more scrambled egg in and around the hole.  Now aren't you sure you have wasted your time reading this?  Sorry.  Just telling it like it is.  Maybe this will be better.  Something I wish I had written:

NAPS  

You worry and wonder how you are gonna get it done,

From the rising of the moon, 'till the setting sun.

Plenty to do when your rest is through.

Let him have the world for a turn or two.   SO I SAY --" JUST TAKE A NAP"  Sleep while HE works.

BETTY BOOP

CH 

MISS BIG HAT

Here she comes-quilted jacket, gloves, long pants, and that ever loving flower pot hat.  Hope she is warm at 70 degrees.  My how crazy is this weather? .  My oatmeal with stewed apples was eaten inside and then to the Balcony for my rye toast, turkey bacon and coffee.  Sound like a plan?  It was mine this morning.     Four large Canada Geese put on a show by flying right before my eye level -- made eye contact.  Ducks are back and all is well.  I saw two BIG crows atop the cross over the Chapel yesterday.  As if they were surveying their space.  And they were, they just have to share.  I am getting a little off center, although I have a couple projects going, I still feel a little scattered.  Do you feel that way too?  Tell me how you are coping?  

BETTY BOOP     

WHERE IS EVERYBODY?

Nobody in sight.  No ducks,no people, no wind to ripple the Lake. Kind of spooky. I enjoyed Zooming with girls yesterday.I think about them this morning. All so: smart,beautiful,sweet,generous thoughtful,and patient with me.  Sounds like their Dad. Maybe they take after him and not so much me.I really enjoyed breakfast too.  Stewed apples,scrambled egg,turkey sausage links,whole wheat toast, coffee and juice for the pills.  I love breakfast food.  You notice how so much is underlined?  It is my crazy lap-too.  Not me.

BETTY BOOP   

67, cloudy but o.k.

Monday, a new start.  Daughter  # 2 laughed at me for calling snaps on my robe, "grippers."  Is that old fashioned?  Maybe, it has the sound of "old."  I guess I do use some oldies sometime.  I noticed somewhere a list of the new words added to the new dictionary.  But no list of old ones discarded.  Another saying-"There is nothing new under the sun."  True also.  Gather all those facts and we have another new or old, depends who you are.---"I am still here".  Am I new or old? Either way, I am not ready to be discarded or   replaced.  "Boy 0h Boy", (another oldie) "I am on a roll."-- another. I once read a book of old sayings.  Need to find that one again.  "and sharpen up!!"  Maybe I am already sharp enough.!!!!

Betty Boop 

 

GRIPPERS OVER BUTTONS

I choose grippers.  Now grippers are easy or more doable to me.  This has been going on a long time now.  I am just now beginning to realize just how true it is.  SO BE IT.  If you live long enough, it is bound to happen, IN EVERYTHING  YOU DO.

The clouds were beautiful from my view on the Balcony.  They reminded me of sweet potato casserole with tiny marsh mellows on top.  Remember how pretty they looked?  Light browned and still a little crisp, but soft in the middle?  Hungry for Thanksgiving. !!  I really  was not a fan of it, but it was tradition.  For Linda, Cranberry Sauce.  She keeps it year around in the fridge!! 25 ducks this morning!!  They seem to have gotten together and are a BAND TO BEAT THE GEESE.  Nature, I love it.

I know I am rambling this morning, sorry.

BETTY BOOP

 

 

DUCKS AND SUCH

The ducks seem to be back.  Actually they did not leave.  Just seemed to be overshadowed buy Canada Geese,  who think they own SCV LAKE.  Not seeing as many geese as usual.  I counted 14 ducks in a group each day.  The leader goes way out front and seems to be the director. Imagination again.  Sometime I worry about me and my thoughts.  I call it creating.  Ha!!  That is a joke.  The "pine thicket" as Truman's Mother would have called it, in front of my Balcony is not only Pines, but a beautiful mixture of trees and plants.  Some of the trees are changing their color.  Of course the tall, tall, pines stay green.  I bet the colors up North are pretty.  One of our camping trips with Irene and Cecil was in the early fall and we got to see such beauty.  Have some pictures-must drag them out some day.  I wonder what will happen to all those beautiful memories in all  those pictures?  Where will they end up? No one wants to look at them.   They are still precious to me.

Betty Boop  

t 

57 still feels cool

8 is not too early, but the sun and just me were out.  No ducks, geese, or walkers.  I either missed the early and am too soon for the late.  Sort of in between. I feel that way sometime.  Could be a safe place to be. Friday already.  Seems time is  marching on and yet not much seems to  happen.  Maybe things are working out and I will have to wait.  Patience, and Fortitude .  That sounds down right smart.  Can you master that plan?  Let us try.

BETTY BOOP 

14 ducks

Count them-14 ducks swam to the middle of the Lake.  As if in a water aerobics class.  Then all broke up (social distancing) and stood, as still as could be.  Strange to see.  As I left them, they were still there.  Have you ever had  a morning when you wake and things, little things, go wrong, like you gripper up your robe, get to the bottom and have one left over?  You have to undo all the way up and start over.?  How annoying. I think if that is all that goes wrong I am lucky.  Not wanting anymore mishaps, I just did not want to cook a big breakfast.  That takes a clear brain and thought.  HELLO MR, JIMMY DEAN !!!  He does cook a good breakfast.  Egg, cheese, sausage, on an whole wheat English muffin.  So I cut up an orange, no problem there, made coffee, poured juice and microwaved the muffin.  Felt guilty for enjoying it so much.  I usually save this breakfast for when I need to hurry.  No hurry, just a little lazy.

BETTY BOOP 

BEAUTIFUL DAY

 How do you like purple?  It is the same color as my juice this morning.  I drink a sugar free drink to swallow my pills each morning.  Jan brought grape and it is the first time I have had this flavor.  It brought back childhood memories of Nehi (sp) grape soda.  Remember the bottle?  I do.  I loved the flavor and this taste just like I remembered.    To fish one out of the ice at a gas station while traveling was pretty special.  It seems I live in the past rather than the present.  It does seem safer.  Well the Election is over-or is it?  I have not turned the TV on to see the results.  Somehow I am afraid I wont like some of the results.  God help us all.  SO BE IT.

BETTY BOOP

39 degrees on boy!!!!

 The sun is shinning, but it is cold.  Too much for this old girl.  I will go out later, thank you.  Zoom was not as good as we wanted.  Had a few difficulties getting everyone on.  We will try it again next week.  Did get to see Joe  as he worked to get us all on.       I covered my beautiful one surviving Begonia plant last night.  Weather man said slight chance of frost. I can not see any this morning on the meadow behind the Lake.  But it needed a little cover anyway.  The pot it is in is too large and heavy to move, so it might not survive long. I will move the pot  where JJ and Phil  reside so happy together.  I will take it to the Bubble. 

Egg-over-light was dropped as I turned it over, in the pan of course-causing it to change from over- light to slightly broken. Oh well, it still was good with  turkey bacon and a SCV  biscuit!!   Always look for something good in everything.  Like coffee.  

BETTY BOOP 

42 does not sound too cold.  Yet even with the sun out and a slight wind, it was cold.  I seem to need to just get out a few minutes anyway.  Nobody out yet but me, slight ripple on the Lake.  So peaceful and calming.  I started making tissue flowers to attach to a very pretty Christmas card for friends out here.  I have been making small "happies" since I first came.  I have made some cute, pretty ones in the past.

  And many more than I am making this time.  So many of dear friends have passed and too I am not up to much anyway.  They will have to do this year.  I am happy with them.  We plan to ZOOM again.  L J& A.  & Me.  Maybe today or tomorrow.  Be fun to visit all together.  Bitsy is confused by the time change.  I can tell when she wants to be fed and put to bed on the old time.  She will adjust--like me.  I am getting more sleep with the change.  Good thing.  Well, I made a mess in the kitchen--cooked a rather large breakfast, now I have to clean it up.  I will be worth it.  I need something more  to do anyway.

Betty Boop

WHAT TIME IS IT, REALLY?

 What time is it?  I am totally confused.  I mean it.  I have never been in the dark bout the daylight saving time before, but, alas time has caught up with me.  "Old Girl"  is finally broken.  First a new lock down here and now "change your time."  Oh well, just go with the flow and hope for the best.  I am having too many dreams.  Last night I dreamed I told Jan that I  would never see my grandchildren again.  It was a sad dream and I hope it will not be true.  But the way things keep going, it could be coming true.  Then as I shivered  on the Balcony just now, words of an old hymn came to me.  "This is my Father's world, oh, let me ner  forget-that oh the strong seems oh so wrong, God is the ruler yet."  Something like that, I do not want to look it up,  I do have a Methodist Hymnal, and go to it from time to time.  Those words have such meanings. Here I go preaching again.  What is wrong with that, do I need permission ?

Betty Boop