HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME

And what a day it will be.  ZOO is coming this afternoon with many  family members joining in.  I hope I don't mess up . I do that      with this computer.  Funny how I give everything a name.  Not for this computer.  Does not deserve a name.  But I do love it.  62 is Spring weather.  Balcony was great.  After a hearty breakfast of grapefruit, oatmeal with luscious strawberries, half of SCV biscuit with turkey bacon and the ever loving coffee in a big mug.  I think of my Mother and how she loved Spring time.  She could make anything grow and she could not wait to get started.  I appreciate the new blooms and leaves she loved now.  You have to just wait sometime for these things.  Like being thankful for those memories.  Well I must get on with the day and glow in the attention.  I really am humble and do not feel I deserve it.  But thank you Lord for all  good things.    BETTY BOOP

  

MORNING HAS BROKED

And what a beautiful day it is.  At 43 degrees, it was just right=when you dress warm and have a cup-o-joe in hand.  I saw a pair of ducks looking for a nesting place for their expected little ones.  I hope they find a place near me.  New Bluebird houses have been put up where needed.  I can see 3 from my Balcony.  No birds yet, but we are ready.  They are such beautiful birds.  It seems Spring is coming and I hope soon.  

I am feeling better today.  Thank you Lord. I have been overwhelmed by friends remembering my birthday.  I am looking forward to ZOOM on Sunday.  

betty boop

DID YOU MISS ME?

I have been a little under the weather a few days.  Old blood pressure took me to ER and we now think it is under control.  Hope so.  That ER was wild.  Crowded and the wait was long.  Poor Amy and I wait for hours.  Don't yet feel up to par, but better.   Kind of scary.  

32 and sunny.  Too cold to go outside yet.  Maybe later.  Bitsy  is a little confused, but she is rolling with the punches.  I am operating a little slow so I will go rest and try to catch up.

BETTY BOOP

 

LOVELY

The mist over the Lake is lovely.  Not too much, just enough to make me want to be a painter  It would still be hard to capture the beauty.  You can tell how much I enjoy my "time on the Balcony"  Can't imagine not having the pleasure.  I saw two sets of walkers.  Good, they are coming back.  I hear geese fussing at the end of the Lake.  Birds on the Chapel steeple.  My lower level neighbor reading his paper,  and just now the sun is breaking through.  Another beautiful day, as Truman would say when he prayed--"Thank you Lord for another day in your Kingdom."  I have a few of his prayers he would write on paper before he prayed to a crowd.  They were always sort of alike. SO BE IT.

Betty Boop

 

CLOUDY AND WINDY

The wind gave me a new hairdo.  Maybe better? as I sat there earlier, I saw no one-no geese, no ducks or people.  So what to write about?   The tall Pine trees are swaying in the wind.  When I moved here almost 10 years ago, while they were tall-they have grown so much since then.  12 of them in a cluster and usually birds use their branches to rest.  Monday is traditionally WASH day.  So be it.  I think I can 'round up a load.  What else?  I will think of something I know.  Things seem to happen, and the day will be done again.

BETTY BOOP   

P.S.

I t seems my blog got cut off before I finished.  All I wanted to add was--I always wanted curls as a child.  Shirley Temple was my goal.  My Buster Brown hair cut, with bangs cut too short would never allow it, like a friend I had, she had the  most beautiful long dark hair that her Mother spent many hours to curl.    

CURLS

I am sure you have noticed the "ladies on TV" with their attempt at curls.  Maybe some want it ti look like they tried.  I don't like the messy, half curled, dangling, strands of hair.  They take away from the beauty of some of their faces.  Look like they rushed the deal and said Oh, Well!!  Now that is out of the way.  When I was a little girl, I always had what they called a Buster Brown hair cut.  

Have you noticed the "ladies on TV"  and their attempt to curl long hair?  Like they had a cool curling iron?  Not hot enough to do the job?  I know it is fashion now, but some are not pretty to look at.  I wanted curls when I was little.  My hairdo always seemed to be BUSTER BROWN--complete with bangs, that got cut too short sometime.  Shirley Temple was my idol.  I also had a friend who had long dark curls.  Her Mother was as proud as she was of her work to get them there. They were beautiful to me. Leads my thought to Dolls.  Loved them then and still do.  I had a Shirley Temple doll--Christmas was always special with a new doll. With their little socks and shoes and always clothes to take off and on. Hey, "Down Memory Lane" where everything seemed so sweet.  I grew up in a middle-class neighborhood.  Not much money sometime to spare.  But somehow my parents pulled Christmas off.

Betty Boop    

OUT THERE AGAIN

Suited up and braved it again.  43 is a little nippy before the sun is up.  Don't mind, it feels good to just get out for a little while.  I feel like the only person in my world out there. Kind of like I have control of the world  Silly me, far from "me" or control either.  I must "be still"  and know that God is there.  Everything is sleeping for now, but I know Spring is right around the corner.  And I will finish old  93 and turn the page to 94 soon.  Am surprised as anyone.  Being reflective this morning.  Enough of that.!!

You know what is good?  Plain old oatmeal .  Decided to have that and it was good.  Of course a SCV biscuit with just a touch of honey made it complete.  Don't forget coffee. And the turkey bacon. I did not see a single walker or bird or geese or duck. Maybe I have died and am on my way to Heaven?  mmmmmm!  Could it be that easy??

BETTY BOOP   

RALLY 'ROUND YA"LL

No, not to protest--but to praise!!  It was like an Old Homecoming yesterday.  It was exciting and I felt blessed to see so many people come out of hiding and join in to get the vaccination.  Everyone, even though mask and standing or sitting apart, the greetings were soooo nice.  Made me almost feel like there is hope at the end of the tunnel.  It went like clock work, so easy.  No pain and did not feel it.  Arm is a little sore this morning, but not too much.  I give thanks to all involved. GOOD JOB!!!

Went to Balcony for coffee this morning.  That felt good too.  Rain has stopped for now,  but it will be back soo,  Getting enough rain for an early Spring I bet.  I am such a  good weather girl.  

BETTY  (full of hope) BOOP
   

ANOTHER DAY

Looks like rain.  In fact several days, some will get it.  My Balcony looks so clean. Need new pads for chairs would be nice.   Will wait for shopping.  This is a big day here at our Village.  Getting my vaccination.!!  Such detailed instructions.  They are really on top of it.  They say including everyone, even employees, they plan to give 700 shots.  All in one day.  Now you really have to have a plan. Here we do it right.  My time is between 3-4:30.  I will be there with my arm bared at 3 and be hopeful for the outcome.  Who knows for sure?

BETTY BOOP

INAUGRATION DAY

Do you plan to watch?  I do. History in it's making.  Hope it goes well.  Hey something else is in the making.  I looked out to see this HUGE machine --ready to go to work I hope before we get rain.  The building washers are ready to clean this building. HooRay.  It looks like something you would see in NY CITY, where they clean windows.  Powerful streams of water will do the job.  Be glad to have it finished and to get things in order again.  Did  I tell you what a success the popcorn was yesterday? It was sooooo good.  Hot and buttered, just like at the Movie theater. They need to do that again.  I pop it in the microwave -- but this was better.  There is something like FREE that rings a bell.  Right?

BETTY BOOP      

NATIONAL POPCORN DAY

You need people like me to keep you informed.  My calendar does not tell it all.  But SCV knows it all.  On Tuesday, January 19th we will have a special treat in the Activity Room.  Popcorn machine will be set up from 2:30--3:30 for us to enjoy a bag of hot buttered popcorn and celebrate National Popcorn Day.  Now that is nice!!  I plan to be there. 

I started the day right already, Juice, oatmeal with "just right (ripe) banana, turkey bacon, Rye toast and coffee.  Inside, because my furniture on Balcony is all turned over and secure for the building washers to clean.  Looks like rain.  Don't know the plan .

AND MY G0D WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO HIS GLORIOUS RICHES IN CHRIST---PHILIPPIANs 4:19

I wrote this devotional many years ago for Sunday School:

GOD'S PROVISIONS

I started thinking about providing provisions.  We live on a lake and watching out the big window, is both a pleasure and a privilege.  It can be a beautiful sight.  I guess I am being a provider when I see this beautiful white Egret  feeding on the shallow edge and when several Canada Geese look for feed of fish in our Lake.  The resident Racoon that lives in the bank of the cove is looking too.  Evident of the mussel shells around the edge of lake. She brought her two babies up one night, and I felt I needed to help her feed her young.  BIG mistake, she started raiding the bird feeders. I stopped feeding them  fast.  The backyard birds are a constant delight as I fill their feeders.  They keep me busy.  

Inside looking out the window sits my spoiled cat--Penny. She looks to me for provisions too.  Then there is Truman. He likes to eat too.  I love to cook, so that works out good too. On top of the fridge sits the "Basket."  Providing sweets for the grandkids.  You and I are always providing provisions for programs here at Church. And God always provides blessing for us. 

Dot Ellis

Forgive me this memory.  It seems I was writing a long time ago.  BETTY BOOP

OH LET THE SUNSHINE IN

   OH, LET THE SUN SHINE IN--FACE IT WITH A GRIN-OPEN UP YOUR HEART-AND LET THE SUN SHINE IN.  

That sounds like a Vacation Bible School song.  Maybe --from somewhere in my past.  Happy little song and I can picture kids singing it.  36 is not too cold and I sat on my beloved balcony.  My version of outdoors.  The Canada Geese were feeding, I don't know what since frost has made the grass very brown.  The visiting ducks are fishing for breakfast, but not a humane in sight.  Where are you people?  My breakfast was good.  Waffles, whole wheat of course and EGGO.  Sugar-free syrup. an orange, turkey bacon. and coffee in my cup with a Goldfinch on the side.  Looking happy, I must say.  Running late because I woke at 5, got comfortable, turned over a went back till 6:30.  Oh!  I am so surprised to be in bed that late.  Sets my day off.  Bitsy  too, since her breakfast was running a little late.  She is a forgiving little soul and still loves me.  

BETTY BOOP    

BACK INSIDE--LOOKING OUT

 In  and out.  So Be It.  When 32 is too cold, I do the right thing and stay inside.  I like to think there will come a day when it will be too hot to go out.  Don't think early heat in the Summer time will bother me as much as the cold.  I do miss MISS BIG HAT AND MISS WALK WITH HANDS BEHIND HER BACK.  And the whole parade.  Think they are still coming but later in the day when I am too busy to watch. National Hat Day went smooth.  Saw many cute  hats.  One cowboy hat complete with boots and Western shirt.  Baseball hats, big sun hats, some with flowers.  Even some men joined in.  Was fun to watch and to wear a fancy hat too. What next?  We are like kids, need to be entertained.  Hey the sun is out, but I still will stay inside.  Saturday is different from other days.  Remember as a child, it was special.  Kind of free from duties and just a play day.  Here one day seems like the one before it.  Oh well--SO BE IT.

BETTY BOOP  

YEH IAM HERE

I think I have been sort of stalled-no balcony.  I seem to get refreshed and creative out there. I decided to not look at the temp and just dress warm and GO.  It was chilly, I found out later that is is 36 degrees.  But who is that old lady on her Balcony, drinking coffee, dressed in two robes and tattered high top wooly socks?  Someone hurry, report her as having lost her mind.  No worry for me, there is no one to see me.  I saw the white birds come in.  I got a good look at them from the Bubble yesterday. Some have grey on their wings, and some landed on the water appearing to be feeding.  Some swooped down to fish.  Still don't know much more about them.    There are many small brown ducks also visiting.  I actually heard Mr. Crow trying to wake somebody.  Today is NATIONAL HAT DAY.  We celebrate everything here.  Do I have the courage to wear a hat? I have one that I bought at the Goodwill store for a play I was in.  It looks very much like one I used to wear to Church.  Can you believe that only a short time ago, that we wore hats and high heels, even gloves to Church??  Amazing how much progress we have made.  Wish me luck, that I am not the only one to wear one today.   BETTY, crazy, BOOP           

   

STILL NOT MUCH TO WRITE

Even the MEMORY BANK is closed.  Holiday?  Only thing I can think of is what I had for breakfast.  Don't think it is important, but here it is.  I had baked ham for my dinner meal yesterday, and so they are generous with serving size. I saved a small portion and had it for breakfast along with a soft boiled egg, wheat toast, juice and coffee. A bit different from when I was a child.  I think I mentioned I was a "picky eater" as a child.  MaMa  worried and begged, threatened, bribed and still--I would not eat breakfast.  I remember sitting on her lap and her trying to feed me, even when i should have been ashamed.  I was too big for that.  O well, it is a different story now.  She would be proud-I think!!  I have always been small for my age and people worried with her that I needed to eat more.  So different now when we look at diet different.  SO BE IT --- Again a crazy Blog.  I must do better or I will loose the few readers I have.

BETTY BO

WHAT TO WRITE ?

My thoughts seem scattered and don't know where to start.  Ever happen to you?  I know one thing.  January 15th is NATIONAL HAT DAY.  Yes, we will celebrate by wearing hats.  How childless is that?  Well, we search for laughs everywhere. Something better--January 19th is NATIONAL POPCORN WEEK. A popcorn machine will be set up to pop corn and come on down and get a hot buttered bag of the good stuff.  I make popcorn often in the microwave. Not too many calories (except for the butter).     Live a little.  Well, you see, You can make a blog of very little.

BETTY BOOP     

SOMETHING SPECIAL

When if we have threat of snow or snow  it's self--these gull-- like white birds swarm the Lake. Flying big circles around and a round.  Not touching the water, that I can see.  They are here this morning.  Will be gone all at once. In fact as I just looked just now-they have all vanished!!  Nobody I have asked knows what they are and why they come at this time.  30 degrees and no sun.  Snow all but gone.  Maybe that is it for this winter. Well must get on with this day.  Must take care of singing up for my Covid shot. We will start them on the 21.  Will be glad. BETTY BOOP

SNOW ??

Is it real??  Yes, yes, and exciting as ever.  The grounds around the Lake are beautiful.  I remember , I think, it was the first winter I was here, it snowed.  There is something about the quiet of snow that is like no other.  But it is not much this time   .  But enough to stop everything.  Almost. We had a ZOOM meeting for Linda's birthday yesterday.  Got to see Whitney for the first time since Covid.  She looks so good!!  Linda made and decorated cup cakes and bought great sounding ice cream She pretended to serve us..  Although we could only look and admire them, it was a fun thing to do.  Amy brought CoCo to the party.  Stayed a little while.  She wants him to be a lap dog, but he is too busy. The other dog, Sandy, is in training, learning to  pick up sticks with Ed as his teacher.  Firewood is his job.  Earning his keep.  Well, I will go and listen to the news.  With Trump, Covid. and now the weather, plenty to talk about.  Better to just turn it off and enjoy the silence?

BETTY BOOP

Brrrrrrr. Winter time

Can't help to get excited when the word SNOW finally comes from the weather man's mouth.  Even though there is a strong chance of very little here.  What a   mess a "little" can cause.  We get so excited at the idea anyway.  It is 32 at 7, went lower in the night I bet.  Coffee taste good this morning.  With a regular breakfast of an orange, egg over light, turkey bacon. whole wheat toast and a choice seat looking out the glass door to the Balcony. Me and my very spoiled cat.  We shall return,  soon I hope.             Excitement level is high ,as we try to prepare for our  Covid   Vaccinations. Between the Government and Insurance Company, it has both confused and caused us to almost panic.  SCV is on top of it, and we, the "oldies" are required to read the instructions and abide by them.  Takes a lot of trust and sometime I am short on that.  Things will workout I am sure and we will be thankful for all the effort our team has put into this thing.  Be glad we have the means to protect us and hope for the best.

BETTY BOOP

coffee  

INSIDE LOOKING OUT

 34 is too cold for me and Bitsy.  She stays close to me each morning.  After I feed her first, she stays to watch my breakfast cooking.  Bacon smells good?  I found a package of blueberries in the freezer.  Kind of old, but still good.  Perked up my oatmeal.  Seems just right for this cool (cold) morning.  Thought of the good old Summer time when they were picked. and picked the color of my Blog to match.  How fun is that?  I have so much on my mind today.  We are preparing for the COVID vaccination here.  Lot of paper work and confusion on my part.  Of course I will get it, but so much to do to get a crowd like us prepared  I know from experience that they are on top of it, but I worry.  Blood pressure reflects it.  I have to remind myself---to BE STILL,  and have faith . And I am not in charge.  Always want to be in charge. NOT  Easy  to let go.

BETTY BOOP  

36 degrees at 7

Little too cold this morning.  Clouds keep the sun from warming up.  Winter time, what do you expect?  warm and breezy?  Not in Mississippi.  Do you remember when in school, you learned to spell Mississippi? I do.  I was so proud.  I loved the merry sound and the "sing-song" way it sounded.  Still do.  I am glad to live in Mississippi.  So many good things about the people.  You know, when  I sit down to write, I am never sure where my thoughts will take me.  I am sort of a dreamer and tend to make stories about most anything.  This has developed in my later years and of course is going nowhere.  I do not have the education or resources to do anything with it.  It all started when I began to write poems, mostly for my family.  Served me well here at SCV when I wrote  many years for the VILLAGER.  All dried up now. my poetic adventure has all but dried up and I have stopped writing for them.  Oh well  It was good while it lasted.  As Robert St. John ends his weekly writing in the newspaper--ONWARD.  I still love writing my   .Blog.  Thanks to Ashley & Sophia!!!!

BETTY  {just reflecting} BOOP

WET OUT THERE

 Wet on the Balcony!!!  Yes rain before a change-maybe .  They wont call it snow .  Panic!!  We had enough of that yesterday, if you watched the News.  O boy, what next?  I will not dwell on it.    We have hot dog with chili today on the lunch line.  Now that is a bright spot.  Of course I will transfer it to a wheat bread, but I have learned to be happy where I am.  I will just chose steamed broccoli to balance it out.  Now I have had enough experience with Diabetic diet to know better, but a hot dog is my weakness.  I ask for it every birthday,  lately.  Hey, a Hot Dog Bar is a wonder to see and eat.  Can't get together of that one, but maybe next year? Let my Birthday go by, uncelebrated, and maybe I can stay 93 and not move to 94?  No that cannot  happen.  Still can't believe I made it this far!!!!   Hey, should I choose Beef Stir Fry? Instead of Chili Hot Dog? NAH!!  We will see.  Did I get your mind off the News? Hope so.                BETTY B

YOU MUST BE KIDDING

Because it felt like colder than 37 (so the computer said)  But here I am getting cold, but reveling in the beauty of this morning.  Sunrise was special again.  How great thou art!!  At least the Geese were up and honking.  I was warm last night after the heat was off the night before and part of the day.  I realized I had nothing like an electric blanket and needed one or something.  The "shop on line" girls were on it.  Found at Walmart no blankets in stock, but an electric throw.  I am so out of the loop for shopping, I had not heard of them.  Only one they had was a red and black buffalo checked beauty.  We sprang for it and I just love it.  Now I am ready for winter (snow) now.  The weather people are flirting with "wintery mix", careful not to mention the big S word.  That would throw us into panic.  

STAY WARM  BETTY BOOP

p.s. to the above.   Maintenance just called me,  Not my apartment problem--building problem.  Which is worse?  At least he assured me, they are working hard and fast to restore the heat.  Sweat shirt feels good.  Better later.  Betty Boop

WOE IS ME

You never know what will happen next.  When I went to bed last night, I thought it seemed a little cool.  My nose was cold.  Went to bed as usual and got colder.  Put on an extra throw on my bed,  trying   to ignore there was a problem.  At 9;30 --too late to call for help unless it is an emergency.  Sure was tempting to declare one.  But I tried to go to sleep.  I woke at 4 and decided to get Bitsy from her sleeping quarters in the extra bath room.  Thinking she was cold and we might keep each other warm.  Sure enough she cuddled next to me on the extra blanket and stared me down.  I tried to explain to her, but she just got closer to me.  We got up at 5;30 and got on more clothes.  Ate my oatmeal and drank coffee.  Did not help much.  Fed Bitsy and talked to God about it.  Felt better and waited till 7;30 to call for help.  I hope it is on the way and I will keep you posted. 

BETTER LATER  BETTY BOOP

DOUBLE ROBE MORNING

I was surprised when I checked the temp-40 degrees but it seemed colder on Balcony.  I guess my usual walkers thought so too.  None came by as I sat and drank my coffee.  You know the old saying "Good to the last drop?"  Maxwell House  I think. Well, Kroger's Breakfast Blend is good too.  And how about FOLGERS IN YOUR CUP?  I do like commercials.  Some are timeless and stay forever.  I have a coffee cup (big) with a Junco on it.  They are pretty , just like the Finch are.  I am enjoying the new feeder in the Rose garden.  Others are too.  It seems many I have spoken to while watching them feed, have been bird watchers too and miss feeding them in their former yards.  I am glad MG has inherited my love for birds too.  She has my old bird book and is putting it to work for her.  They see many kinds being near trees and water of their Lake.  Well it is Monday and a start to another week.  The sun has come out and shinning so bright-- good day coming--  let us go and SHINE too..

BETTY BOOP 

30 AND I DRAW THE LINE

I really did think about it.  Going on the Balcony is part of my day, but even I know when it would not do.  Oh, well, maybe later.  There is an electric outlet out there-how about a little heater?  No, No,  forget that one.  M.G. and R.  are like many others, into making soup.  Now they don't do anything half way and I hear they have been turning out some good ones.  They brought me a container of  their latest.  The wild rice soup we always make at the beach.  Yes soup at the beach is fine!! It always goes over big and you have to stand in line to get your share.  I will enjoy what they brought and travel back to the Beach.  Even if we never get to go again, we have the most happy memories of all those years that Head Honcho started long ago.  But don't be sad, we may pull it off this year.  Have you noticed how my text changed?  My computer gives me trouble sometime and I have to redo my choice.  Or is it me?  I can't remember which text to chose when I have to redo.  Oh, well, what else do I forget? 

BETTY BOOP  

[I DID IT

I went out with two robes and high top footies, before I checked the temp.  34 it was as I came in. It  was beautiful with clouds covering the sun and no breeze.  For some reason Mr. Crow has become very sure the Chapel steeple is his domain and don't forget it.  He fussed at the other birds and stood his ground.  I am real excited to find a new bird feeder has been put up in the Rose garden.  A  big square with sides to hold the seed.  Big enough to hold a lot of birds.  It was covered with Goldfinch and I think for the small purple spot on some-Purple Finch.  I used to feed them on Riverwood.  They are fun to watch as they trun this beautiful golden and black before they migrate.  They were so exciting to watch.  Kept me busy filling the feeder I had especially made for them.  So glad to watch them again.  So I write in gold and purple today.

BETTY BOOP   

HAPPY NEW YEAR

So here we are.  Everyone has been looking for a New Year and wishing this 2020 would be done.  Let's pray the new will be better.  No, lets expect it.  I slept a little later this morning.  Even though I went to bed at 10.  Never could stay  up to welcome the new year in.  Not much of a "party girl."  "Partying" was frowned upon when I was growing up, so I never learned to "party."  So Be It.  

JIMMY DEAN and I had breakfast together this morning.  Did not feel like cooking much.  Can't beat his sausage, egg white, cheese on a whole wheat English muffin.  No cooking.  Add  a navel orange and coffee and behold-breakfast for a Queen--ME.    BETTY BOOP

P.S.  I LOVE HIS SOUTHERN DRAWL