75 degrees on Balcony

My, my, how quiet it was on the Balcony. No Canada Geese, no Walkers, just a gentle breeze and time to think. And surprise, no thoughts disturbed my mind. After a chiller failure of the AC yesterday, I guess it is good to have nothing but cool coming out of vents. Just a few buildings were affected. Mine among them. I really learned to be thankful for cool air. What did we do before AC? I guess the little fans helped but you can't always just sit in front of them. We have been having unusually hot weather of late. Anyway I with my neighbors did survive and the problem was fixed befor bedtime. Thanks to dedicated workers. A part had to be brought in from Greenwood I think or somewhere up north of here. Oh, me, looks like our Capitol city would have what we needed. So Be It. I plan to go to Church. So here I go.

BETTY (come go with me.) BOOP

p. s. I did get a hair cut, look like a funny little boy.!!! 

 

OFF WE GO----

 INTO THE WILD BLUE YONDER. Loved ones are flying the skies today. Have a safe landing all. My flying days are just memories and I have a few. I miss the wonder of takeoff. So exciting and at the same time scarry. 

The temp let me sit on Balcony for a while. I heard locus singing. To me that is a sign of School starting. I saw a table of Ladies having breakfast on the terrace of the Cyber. Four grey heads bobbing and talking. Not for me. Breakfast is not a time for a visit (for me.) I had rather sit and think alone and not talk at all. My husband was the same. We always prepared breakfast together. Each knew their jobs and we went about them without fanfare. To each their own thoughts and duties. Still feel that way. So, if you do encounter me at 7:30 in the morning, having breakfast alone in the Cyber--it is by choice and not because I am antisocial. 

BETTY (leave me be) BOOP

p. s. -- talk to you later!!! 

RED LETTER DAY

Red Letter Day because I get a haircut at 11 o'clock. Much needed and am glad the operators are back from a short close down. Bet they are too. Anyway, as usual, I thought about haircuts. When I was a little girl, most girls had a haircut that they called a Buster Brown There was a picture of a little boy, I think on kid's shoes. I believe he was with his dog that I assumed was named Buster. Now my memory may be faded, and I have been known to make up things as a child and seems I have never put away childish thoughts and stories as well. so, I may be totally wrong on Buster Brown. He had a haircut like me, and I liked him. Mine was given to me by my mother. Sometimes she got my bangs too short, and it was embarrassing. Oh, well, I was embarrassed too easy in those days. Girls do you remember sitting on the red and chrome kitchen stool in the back yard, as I gave you haircuts?

BETTY (sorry for the mess I made of a haircut) BOOP

p. s. just one childhood embarrassment.

DINE IN OR TAKE OUT?

76 on Balcony, so I sat for a while. Observed the Bluble' family of sparrows. I don't think they are all of the Bluble' family. There can be many kinds of sparrows. Some are shy and some are bold. The markings are different too. I noticed some eat there and some quickly grab a crumb and take it away to the next Balcony to eat. Some unafraid, just eat here. I sure hope the ones that fly to my neighbor's balcony, clean up good. Don't want any complaints. You know, one of the things about apartment living, is you have to always be mindful of others. That is a good thing. but I still miss a big house and big yard of our own. I dare to sit on Balcony in my gown and robe, but that is as far as I can go with the casual attire. Oh, well, it was a challenge at first, but I have learned to live with it and just be thankful for all the other benefits' I enjoy each day. 

Oatmeal with apple sauce that I make, was good, along with cranberry juice, rye toast with turkey bacon and Miss Proper Gevia's coffee. I saw that sweet Cocker trotting fast by her mistress this morning and newbie. a man who must really watch his posture, for he was straight as an arrow. Good for him.

BETTY (not much to tell)

p. s. please read anyway.

MARCHED RIGHT ON

Out you go.!!!! I have been trying to control these few ants my maid and I have been seeing. But they got the best of me yesterday. Many more kept appearing and I called maintenance. Two very efficient Guys were happy to rid me of the little monsters. They sprayed and found them in places I did not know. Wow, what a relief it is. (So, THE ANTS GO MARCHING OUT.) Why did I wait so long to call? New song I will be singing. It's the little things that count. Although, ants are small, they are big in trouble. Blame it on COVID or the hot weather. They said call any time and they will be back. Them, not the ants. (I hope.) 

O. K. I had a nice breakfast made by one of my favorite servers. I did it different this morning. Scrambled egg, bacon, GRITS, and coffee. I am a Southern Girl and I like grits. My second cup in the BUBBLE. Nice to see MISS PULL THOSE WEEDS, on the job, pulling weeds. Even the Geese feeding along, by her side, moving with her. What a funny sight. But I still worry about the little lady.

BETTY (a little to tell this morning.) BOOP

p.s. such as it is!!!

CAPS & 'TAILS

Ponytails of course. Two, count them, two young women bounced by with their caps and ponytails swinging. How good that must feel. I never could exactly "jog" but I could walk fast. Maybe I needed a beautiful mane of tresses to bounce. That would be a sight. Anyway, I like to see younger people here now. And the beat goes on. It did not take long to feel too warm on the balcony. But I enjoyed the short outing.

MISS GEVIA, (coffee maker) performed her best this morning. Gracefully and sedately. I was kind to her and made sure I handled her with care. Maybe a lesson there? 

BETTY (count your blessings today) BOOP

p. s. and keep that ponytail bouncing. 

 

WANT TO HEAR THIS?

MONDAY, MONDAY. TURNS OUT MY CUTE, PERKY, PLEASING LITTLE COFFEE MAKER GEVA IS NOT SO PLESANT THIS MORNING. IF YOU DO NOT PLACE HER PARTS JUST RIGHT, SHE WILL REFUSE TO GIVE HER USUAL GOOD SERVICE. DID I FORGET TO SHOW MY APPRECIATION ENOUGH? SHE OVERFLOWED AND SCRECHED LOUDLY AS SHE MADE A HUGE MESS. IF YOU DO NOT HAVE HER ALINGED UP JUST RIGHT, SHE WILL LET YOU KNOW. i CLEANED UP HER MESS AND STARTED OVER.  MY FIRST CUP WAS VERY STRONG AND BY THE SECOND CUP, SHE CALMED DOWN AND DID HER JOB O. K. WITH A SMIRK AND A WARNING TO BE MORE CAREFUL WITH HER DELICATE-PARTS. O. K. WILL TRY. THESE LITTLE OVERSEAS LADIES HAVE A TEMPER.

BETTY (not a very good start for this day)

p. s. do not mess with my coffee on Mondays

 

 

70' ISH

 Still hot. Sat on Balcony anyway. Am thinking about going to Church with Amy. Scared as I am about getting COVD, even though completely boosted it does not mean you can't get the little devil, as I call it. Oh. God, I am at your mercy. help me. Can't shut the world out, just have to be careful. Hate to wear a mask again, but maybe I should this morning. I feel the need to go. So, maybe I will go. Must keep moving, or green moss may start to grow on me, or worse some of Amy's backyard mushrooms. Oh, no. Have you seen the beauty and also weirdness of those pictures?  Oh, my. Such a lot of different ones. 

BETTY (here we go) BOOP

p. s. hope I live to tell.

CLOUDY &78

Might as well type in BLUE. The clouds are very heavy and a slight few drops of moisture in air. Nice and gloomy. I kind of like it. I got to sit on Balcony with comfort. All is so quiet with no birds singing or people walking. The Canada Geese are feeding. Happy with the new mowed grass. Time to create a nice breakfast. I considered going for pancakes in Cyber.  I decided not to rock the boat. I made my version of French toast. I moved it up to another level by adding my blueberries to the soaked egg & milk batter. Cooked right in on the second turn of toast. Follow? My it was perfect. Sugar free syrup to top it off. minus the powdered sugar that is traditional. Plenty sweet and delish! Of course, turkey bacon kind of reminded me I was eating right, and -low sugar o. j. plus coffee toped it off. Now what? I seem to have already hit the high for today. !!!!

BETTY (can always write about breakfast) BOOP 

LITTLE BIT OF BREEZE ON BALCONY

Green is a cool color. Let's go with that. After a storm last night, it left the world washed and a little cooler. Don't let it fool you. It is not over yet. I mean the heat. All over the world it is unseasonal warm. Al Gore was right about    Globel Warming. So be it. We still have the COVID to deal with. It has hit my family a little too. No one is safe. Even the President of U.S. We are unhappy here to say we are again dealing with a few cases too at SCV. I am being as cautious as I know how. I saw that PONYTAIL YOUNG LADY plus   HER SWEET DOG.  Happy pair. The breeze kept me on Balcony a while. The Buble' family of birds are feasting on biscuit crumbs, Lucky for them and me too. With a nice piece of ham (left over from lunch yesterday) tucked in a biscuit (from Freshway) it was a

 good breakfast. Of course, add a soft-boiled egg coffee and half a small banana. and I am good-to-go. Don't forget the O. J. 

BETTY(such a scatterbrain) BOOP

p. s. love p. s.'s

BUBBLE IS COOL

Miss the Balcony, but the Bubble is cooler for sure. Although it distresses me to see the Weed Pulling little lady out there. Going up the walk around the Lake, stooping over to pull something from the sidewalk. Looks like the spaces between the concrete. It is just too hot for that little quirk she has. I wish I knew the who and what of it. The Meadow is just half mowed, left by the mower, from the heat, I guess. The Canada Geese are feasting. Soon they will hop in for a swim. They have it made?  Our pool is heated, and so is theirs.  I have been nursing my latest "malady."  On the mend and thought I needed to treat myself to Jasmine's breakfast. Off I went and enjoyed it. Almost as good as the Geeses jump in the Lake.

Betty (perks are hard to find) Boop

p. s. then maybe not.

 

HAD TO LOOK FOR A SHADY SPOT.

Hard to find shade. But here is one. Inside, little office space before my computer. Need to name it. My computer. I name everything else. How about OLD BETSY? No, too much like my long-gone BITSY. HILDA? MERRY? GETAWAY? HIDEAWAY? I know, PLAIN JANE. That is me. Some people can make a Blog out of nothing. That is my talent. Or tell what I had for breakfast. Which was an old favorite. Egg-in-Hole, fresh peach, turkey bacon, cranberry juice, and coffee. Very Good. Fixed it myself. So, I can eat in my "nightie" and look out at the world and enjoy. My coffee cup was the one my neighbor gave me one Christmas. The Sophisticated Lady who looks like a "flapper". Do you know what a "flapper" is or was? In the 1920's a young woman who was considered bold and unconventional. So, MR. WEBSTER SAYS. Just a bit before my time, but in the prime of my mother's days. Don't think she was a real "flapper". But who knows for sure? I like to think of those brave young women. I could never be that. 

BETTY (wish I could) BOOP

p. s. How about you?

HERE I SIT

Yes, have to get out there and try to get inspired. I just saw a young walker; she was missing the point of the walk.  With "devise" in hand and writing away. How did she do that and not stumble? But I thought that is the way we all sometime do. We don't pay enough attention to what is going on around us. Now I am not a texter, tried to be at one point and failed miserably. Gave it up for the sake of my readers. But that is fine for anyone who needs it. And apparently the rest of the world does need to stay in touch. After all, I am for progress, but why not slow up and smell the roses. They fade so fast. 

BETTY (am as up to date- as the rest of us) BOOP

p. s. there is still the telephone, just call me.

KIND OF EARLY?

77 and cloudy, just right for walkers. Saw MISS PONYTAIL AND HER DOG running. Another LADY IN BLACK also. And a couple in the pool. My they are dedicated. Been exercising for almost an hour. Must be one of our newer residents. The "thinning of the heard" has taken a lot of "oldies" like me. Though I am still here.  I feel like I am in a new place sometime. And in a way I am out of place. Don't know where my place is anymore. It reminds me of all the" places" I have been. Takes a lifetime to cover them all. I have been fortunate to have been so many places the world over. Not, I know as many as others, but enough to satisfy me. 

Have you tried the peaches this year? This was their year. Watermelons too. I do enjoy fresh fruit and eat as much as I can. My girls bring me so many goodies.

 BETTY (have a "fruity" day)

p. s. I am a little silly this morning.

BLANK THIS MORNING

 Daughter # 2 came yesterday for visit. Bearing gifts of her great chicken wild rice soup. the best in the world!! more peaches, & watermelon. How welcomed they were. Visit was good. We talked about next Beach Week. Trying to view the options and what is best. Think about it everyone. It sure has been a wonderful ride, but we need to consider the future and what is best for all. Don't like to think about change, but it does happen. 

I had a restless night, with finally getting up at 2 am and checking blood sugar. Was high and I stayed up treating it the best I know how and watching TV. Yes, it is a lot on that time of night-or morning. I saw old reruns of Frashier. Now that was a funny one. Went back to bed and slept (sort of.) Still a little high this morning, but not dangerous. But I feel a little washed out. Will be careful and take it slow this morning. Need more exercise I think, too. 

BETTY BOOP

SWEETLY BE.

IN THE BUBBLE

Opted for BUBBLE again. Half mowed Meadow called to the Canada Geese. Fresh green grass was there. I saw a lady (I have been baffled by her before. She seems to be "grooming" the sidewalk. Stooping to pull up weeds I think from the cracks. She has made her way almost around the Lake as I watched. I worried about the heat for her. What does she think is her job? She is a resident. O well, if she is happy-- so am I. The gaggles of Geese seem to know her, and they get along. I saw one other walker. 77 degrees is o. k. for them. The Crepe' Myrtle is still pretty around the Lake. Several gaggles of geese are floating. I saw a gaggle on the Meadow who seemed to be following directions, all rise and get in a perfect line, with the same distance between them. They followed the leader and jumped into the Lake taking turns, all 12 of them. Pretty sight. So, breakfast was good in the Cyber. Eggs over light for me this morning. All is well.

BETTY (let is stay that way) BOOP

P. S. DON'T ROCK THE BOAT PLEASE!!

 

ON THE BALCONY! For a little while

Did not last long. When I woke to very low blood sugar level, I panicked. Never been that low before. Cannot figure this thing out. But I drank juice and took my pills. Hurried (as best could and took advantage of you know what. Yes, pancakes in Cyber by Tiffiney, my favorite cook friend. I took blackberries and blueberries to add to batter as they cook. They were fascistic. Feel better now. Full, but better. Hope I did not overdo it, as I usually do.

I missed Mr. T. at the History Club. It was a nice large crowd, to hear our illustrious speaker. He was overjoyed with his audience. Did a great job on the book about Patton. Learned a lot because I knew next to nothing about his career. Very interesting and another program will be next month on the remainder of the book. Hope to share it with my history buddy. We are getting some great programs now. We also had this week, residents, Dr. Heber & Sister Simmons to share their stories. She was a great speaker, and he was too, although he was a little too long. I guess when you have such careers, it is hard to shortened down. Anyway, today I am just "plain old jane" but I loved my "career.

BETTY (we need all kind" BOOP

 

74 degrees on Balcony

 Not bad at all. But hang on, it will change. I saw a Hummer drink nectar from my PINK geranium!!  I guess it was close enough to the red they prefer. Tasted bitter I bet, because he flew away fast. My birds are depending on me too much. Get out there and eat those insects, guys. They do seem to enjoy the crackers. People keep asking me when I plan to do another poem. I am surprised that more don't write. Mine are so simple and no one needs to feel like they have to be  so proper in the writing of them Come on somebody help me. I do want to, but just don't seem to have what it takes anymore. People do like for me to make the effort. Maybe I will try again soon. 

BETTY (will try soon) BOOP 

p. s. maybe not. 

79 degrees already.

    Heat warnings for today. This July is a hot one. I long to hear the Cicadas singing. I have seen only a few Hummers this year. Wonder if the heat or Covid has an effect? Blame most anything on those two events. I enjoyed having the Methodist service here yesterday. I have been missing it since Covid. They started it back last week and goes every Tuesday. Once a Methodist -- always one for me. Today I will wash a few "duds" of mine. I still have a few old friends among my clothes. The old ones are sometime the best. Although I do love new ones too. You see I am rambling?  Not much that I can tell. Keep a few secrets. Oh yes, My oatmeal was fit for a Queen with a Georgia peach and Mississipp blueberries. Doesn't get better than that. 

BETTY (that is no secret) BOOP 

p. s. this one is a delete!!

 

l

w 

FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH

Just a little too warm for Balcony this morning, so I chose the BUBBLE for my second cup. I saw several gaggles of Canada Geese feeding on the Meadow. It has stayed green from enough rain this Summer. The Cyprus trees are growing, and the Willow looks happy too. I thought of the  the old hymn the teachers used to love for kids to sing. FOR THE BEAUTY OF THE EARTH. As I just read it over. I thought it must have been a very simple, safe, song to teach children. And it stuck with me. The Geese have plenty to eat and they are happy. I had plenty to eat this morning. As I waffled between going to Cafe and fixing my own--I decided to accept God's blessing of someone to prepare it for me. So, I sit here, counting my blessings. I had a good Dentist trip yesterday. Look Mom, No Cavities was my song for the day, and what a blessing that is.

BETTY (counting my blessings) BOOP

p. s. why not count yours today.

 

BIG DAY FOR ME

I get to go to the DENTIST.  WHEE!!! Maybe I will get to come home with "LOOK, MOMMIE, NO CAVITIES." Remember that commercial?  I do take good care of my teeth. I do still have them all. Over 90 years ago I had my first. Bet that was a celebration for my parents, as it still is this day.

I watched from the Balcony in 77 degrees with a slight breeze. The runner breezed by and Canada Geese in formation. floated by. Enjoying grown up babies. Do they worry about them? Somehow, I don't think they do. I am enjoying the Georgia peaches J. brought. From the Peach Truck. Sounds interesting. It does have a good story. Tell you about it sometime. Time is short.

 and I must prepare for my big day. Ha Ha !!!

BETTY BOOP

 

  

THIS THAT & THE OTHER

I saw I think a visitor running by, followed by a beautiful tan and white collie. I say visitor because of the bouncing ponytail and baseball cap and running shorts. Not the dog. What a beautiful dog. Yesterday I saw Canada Geese (7) swimming with exact same space between them. So perfect. I stood away from window as I watched a lighting show last night. Thunder was so loud. I went to bed and listened to it move on. But we natives are cool and safe. This morning I had a biscuit that I baked. Yes, FRESHWAY has frozen ones. 6 to a pack. With it a little slice of ham was good. Soft boiled egg and a sliced orange completed my feast. Of course, coffee too.  My sweet, potato vine it is going wild. But alas my yellow Hibiscus is giving up the fight. Never again will I have another. It was beautiful while it was in its glory, but Battle with the Bugs won in the end. But nothing else is exciting. I have plenty good books to read. That can be exciting. 

BETTY (maybe I don't need excitement) BOOP

p. s. but I do, please tell me something exciting!!

'TILL IT'S NOT THERE !!!!

When you take something as important as staying cool in the heat, for granted, it comes with a shock when it is gone. OH, my were we in trouble when the chiller as they called it went out and we were everywhere in the building without air conditioning. I called when I noticed early on but got no answer, so I went to find out. Everyone was upset. We found it was not just our floor or apartment, but all over. Jan brought a fan from Amy that saved me for sure. I went to bed with the fan on me and stayed cool till I woke at 11:30 to the air merrily clicking on and off as it should. This morning it is still going strong, but I will keep the fan a few days to just be safe. You know, when something happens to me, and I admit I look for excuses to award myself pancakes at the Cyber. So, with a small sack of blueberries in hand, I went and had my special cook make me wonderful breakfast. SO, BE IT. 

BETTY (never know what a day will bring.) BOOP

p. s. I really appreciate the brave men who worked in that dangerous heat to get us going again.

THE HOT SPOT!!!!

When my sweet Nieces created for me this Blog, they named it the DOT SPOT. Since I loved the name, I kept it. It represents a place of my own. I go here to state my special thoughts, praise to those who deserve it and just a place to be silly too. Since I have been unable to do all the activities that I did so love in the past, I have relied on THE DOT SPOT for a release and fun. I thought of the title on the Balcony this morning (78 early) that this is my favorite SPOT. And it was a hot spot this morning. Then that led to the thought," Everyone needs their own spot." I will hold on to mine. There were no walkers, no geese or ducks, just plenty of sunshine and heat. SO, BE IT. But it still draws me to my favorite DOT SPOT. 

BETTY (find your spot) BOOP

p. s. I will move over and share mine.

THE SUN WILL FIND YOU

Sounds like a song title?? No, just a thought as I tried to find a little shade on the Balcony at 7:30. I moved down to other end and drank the coffee and thoughts came flowing. Then it got hot again. So, I gave it up and here I am inside where it is cool. But the thought stayed. The Sun can find you wherever you are. Sun is the symbol of happiness sometime too. And it will find you if you let it. Happiness found me yesterday when I needed it. I was feeling let down by all the events of late. # 2 daughter came bearing gifts from FRESHWAY of corn, tomatoes, okra, peaches and more. Boy what a feast I will have. To top it off #3 daughter came and brought much needed supplies from grocery store. I was running low on some essentials since I had been on the Beach for a week. She always brings surprises like popcorn, and other things not on the list. That is from her childhood, when I went to the store in the early days. Little surprises of candy or a LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK. Remember them? We had a library of them. 25 cents in early days. What fun I had reading to all my girls. Lordy, I did pick an old memory lane for this morning. SO, BE IT!!

BETTY (THE SUN FOUND ME THIS MORNING)

p. s. in more ways than one. BOOP

ONE MORE TRIP TO BEACH

I don't want to bore you, but one more Blog about the Beach Trip. I will call it LET THE GAMES BEGIN. You know those with years of experience know you must always have a backup plan. While the rain did not stop us, we did have a little. So have a plan. There was so much to do inside looking out. Puzzles by the dozens, art supplies that would make you drool. Things I never had seen. Some very talented people among us. Amazing jewelry to create, and fingernail painting with a talented person the little girls loved. Did you know a 3-year-old can play Monopoly? Well, they were fascinated with all that money. Other tried and true games were there too. So, we were kept busy and to the background guitar softly being played by our talented Tripp. Wish I could do that!! Thankfully we were spared by group singing. Not our thing, I guess. But we can do a lot of talented things. Like getting along and forgiving each other by being thoughtful and kind.   THAT DOES TAKE TALENT!!

p. s. stay cool!!!!

BETTY (don't read if it bores you) BOOP

STILL THERE (sort of)

 Well it is hard to change over.  The things of the BEACH keep crowding my thinking. But I must carry on and come down to earth. As wonderful as it was, it was not some place you remain. At least for most of us. I started off with Breakfast - Cyber. Told Jasmine my daughters could cook eggs over light too, but I missed her taking care of me as her first customer of the day. I took the second cup of SCV coffee to the Balcony, but it was just too hot even so early, I had to hurry in. We are reminded of the heat advisory today and I believe it. I will stay in air cooled rooms at all times. Thank goodness I can do just that. Met one of my FANS of my Blogg on the way to her Mass. What are you writing today, she said. I told her Beach Of course. But maybe I need to deposit it into the famous Memory Bank and let it grow. So as Robert St. John says in his column ONWARD!!

The memories do get sweeter there, 

BETTY (meet you there) BOOP

p. s. sweetly be !!

STILL ON BEACH

It is hard to leave. My mind really got a workout. Memories are still large and full. As I sat on Balcony, I thought -- I miss the chaos and the peaceful sounds of the ocean as well. Good for me. But the Balcony gave a little relief from my normal too. The birds were not chirping as usual, only two walkers. One with BIG BLACK DOG. Our Beach on the coast was not real busy either. A few walkers-no dogs. I will turn to the next big thing we did at the Beach. COOK AND EAT. My, was it grand!! I had seafood of every kind. Can't even begin to tell it all. It was planned ahead that certain families would plan and cook each night. This was posted in a creative way on the fridge, and sometime prepare something special for breakfast, but mostly we were own our own to find breakfast as well as lunch. However different soups, such as oyster stew and a few others were offered at lunch too. Different ones were assigned to clean up. All would assemble for dinner at night. Boy that is fun. We even celebrated two birthdays. Complete with homemade ice cream. That was the treat of that day. Shrimp was the best I have ever had. So much and plenty to eat later. But the inventive new seafood dishes were soooo good. As you see, I cannot tell it all and surely can't describe how wonderful it all was--am enjoying the memories. I know I have missed something. Well, back to my oatmeal with stewed apples. Not bad, but not like someone fixing whatever I wanted with a smile.

BETTY(thanks for the memories) BOOP

p.s. let them linger for a while!!

BITTER SWEET

Strange word- Bittersweet." Must look it up. But this I know-- how it feels to be bittersweet. It means, having a ball and then it is gone. Except for the memories. They are playing over and over in my mind this morning. I did have a wonderful time with the family on the beautiful Gulf beach of Ala. Yet my mind is so full, and it seemed to go fast. I just enjoyed looking and listening to the talking going on between those who don't get to see each other often. Especially in such a wonderful way. So much to catch up on and listen to stories (from the "old girl") who knows nothing but old stuff. New to the younger ones. I could tell you more and I will, it is so much to talk about our trip. But the first is how I felt when we always join hands in the circle each night before dinner and someone says a blessing as we bow and hold hands. Little ones peek and so do I. I remember how Truman would squeeze my hand so hard. How proud he would have been that we all make an effort to be there each year. This is getting long, and it will continue tomorrow as I will try to tell of our WONDERFUL COOKS and how they fed us like royalty. But I tell you this I DID HAVE A WONDERRFUL TIME, thanks to many, many, loved ones.

BETTY (still remembering) BOOP

p. s. memories will last.

WEEK AT GULF SHORES. ALA.

Saturday and we are back from a great vacation. Too much to do and I need to unpack. Will write a little about it later. But it was loads of fun,  

BETTY (back home) BOOP

p. s. safe and sound.