HUMMERS ?

 My Balcony neighbor across and down a floor always maintains 2 feeders for the Humming birds. I go by his schedule to expect them back.  I noticed he put up one a couple of days ago. I have not seen him or his wife to ask. I bet the hummers are as confused as we are about Spring. So far I have not seen a bird yet. I hung my cute little basket Jan gave me. It is designed to give a hummer a place to build a nest. That would be a first for me. Hope it works. It looks official anyway. 

I am tiptoeing through the tulips. Many more to open. Planting bulbs was a good move. Thank you Amy.       Well it is Friday, I go for a haircut at 10:30. Come back looking like a boy!! Have to get my money's worth. That was a lesson taught by parents because we had so little of it. And by a very frugal husband because he wanted to accumulate it. He did and here I am enjoying it. 

BETTY (catfish day here)Boop

p. s. can't eat it deep fried!!

45 degrees nice

 What would you do without the small, "old" girl telling you the weather report each morning-FROM THE BALCONY?  She is not exactly accurate, and she is dressed in a tattered old long robe with wooly socks to her knees and 'BED HAIR". But I bet she can beat the smiles the pretty girls have and give you hope for the day!!  Right? So the clouds are many. Too many for a perfect painting. But they tell me much. Little pockets of white, peeking from the blue as if they are a Choir of Heavenly Host. Singing and waving at me. Like they are the people from my past who have reached the Goal and are singing. Miss Tam hurried by. What is the hurry? I bet breakfast is waiting. 

I had a good and busy day yesterday. Nice program in Activity Room. One of our long time residents told about his past. Interesting, because we are near the same age and he told of things I have lived through and took most of us for a journey through the past. Loved it.

Jan came with groceries. Ah!! PROVISIONS, Now I will survive. I have everything I need here, but there are some little extra things that must be bought elsewhere. How blessed to have her. She treats me like an adult and not some old girl with many issues (who loves to parade them out.) Thank you so much.

BETTY(Better stop while I am ahead) 

p. s. silly old me.

46 IS COOL-BUT BEAUTIFUL

It does feel good to get chilled and then come inside to warmth. Makes me feel alive. MISS-TAM-O-SHANTY needed her Tam this morning and she had it pulled down over her ears for sure.

I wish you could see the Tulip Garden in my Balcony pots. They are gradually opening and what a sight. Looks like I have quite a lot of them. Can't wait to see the colors they will be. I also see buds forming on the Ranunculus. New to me. They are called Persian Buttercup. Color is Salmon. It is just a small garden, but big on excitement as each one shows it beauty to me. 

I am going to a Show And Tell program of a resident at I:30. Think I can keep my eyes focused? It is usually my Nap time!! I really want to hear this man's story and will tell you about it later.

BETTY (IF I CAN STAY AWAKE) BOOP

P. S. ever been there?

57 degrees

 But out she went, dressed for the cooler weather. Though cloudy and breezy, it is A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, so said Mr. Rogers. He always saw the good in everything. But that is not real life. But we can try. I saw a new "duo" this morning. It made me name them The Dominos. Sounds like a new singing group? No, because one was dressed from head to toe in white and the other was dressed all in black. Funny dominos came to mind. I have played many a game, Do kids still play? I bet some wise guys have upped the game and made it "educational." And did you ever sit on the cool sidewalk in front of your house and play Chinese Checkers? Or OLD MAIDS? Many lessons were learned from those old games. How to count, how to subtract, how to win and how to lose, Lord forbid, how to cheat too. Long gone are those days of Lazy Summer, but hey, Summer is coming, but I don't believe it will be the old lazy ones anymore. 

BETTY(every age has it's town time. BOOP)

p. s. enjoy your own.

MONDAY

 How about these storms? Makes you nervous when you see the havoc they have caused. SPRING has made a violent entrance this year. Makes you wish for the lazy days of Summer to hurry on. Then, think of the hot sultry heat!!  Never just right for long. I do like the changes. I have been busy protecting my Balcony pots. I have a bumper crop of Tulips. Some (two) have bloomed. Unusual and pretty. But many are waiting in the line to open. What a show!!

Not much of interest going on this week. A Virtual Tour Wednesday of  England & Wales Been there-done=that. But my friend & resident. will be on Show and Tell this week too. Need to hear the full story of him. So between having to get a haircut, I guess I can stay busy.

BETTY (You do the same)BOOP

p.s. O K? 

BLUE SKIES

 As old Willie would sing-"Gonna Be A Bright, Bright. Sunshiny Day." Where is Willie? Under the weather I guess. Last time I saw him, I was sadden to see how he has aged. But then-time marches on. No Church for us this morning, as Amy is still recovering with a cough. My this Covid is mean. Hard to let you go. Galloway and Ist Pres. will have to do. They are both fine with me. It is just that the day gets long on Sunday. Not much going on in the HALLS of SCV. 

Books to read and I have plenty at the moment, thanks to A. She understands and loves to read too. J. delivers them and I am set to go when I am ready. 

My coffee tasted better this morning after a shower of backing soda. Have you ever cleaned your coffee pot with that? Works. Of course a Cyber sausage biscuit helped along too. 3 minuet egg, and strawberries and o. j. too. O. K., you know I have nothing to say when I tell you about breakfast, (MY Favorite Meal.)

BETTY (have a good day) BOOP

p. s. corny old saying. 

STORMS

 Tornados and wind, rain and much, much destruction hit our state last night. The damage looks bad on TV. Here we had rain and were spared much damage. Lord have mercy on the ones affected. The sun is shinning and the St.Patrick's Day parade (put on hold last week) will go on. I never liked to go to parades, and did not take our kids much. Hate the crowds. Some just love it. That is O. K. 

Amy has tested negative for Covid, however Ed is still waiting. I know he is tired of feeling tired. That seems to be the main complaint I hear from others who have gone through it. Hope we will all be good soon. 

On a happy note, I enjoyed boiled shrimp from Jan. They came from of all places--Kroger. I put the beauties in a salad and enjoyed them last night. Thanks for sharing thoughtful Girl. I don't miss much thanks to my girls. If you have a few around, you are indeed lucky.

BETTY BOOP 

PATCH, PATCH, PATCH !!!!

 First time I heard that phrase, I adopted it as mine. Don't remember who said it, but it sure fits me now. Dentist putting on a brand new patch went very well. New crown. I am glad for patches this morning. So many new parts can be added and I am glad for them. Enough of that. Got a new crown and recycled the old tooth.  Best of both worlds?

I saw a NEWBIE this morning, actually two. A pair of ladies going around the Lake. Either both were new or one was showing the other for the first time. I wanted to shout-"Hey, you will never get around the Lake with all the stopping and pointing." So Be It. They will get over it. The Village is an sight to see and I am proud of it too. Also Miss Tam-O-Shanty, my faithful one, came briskly by. Good weather for walking. More should discover it. Speaking of new and old-I discovered a short robe in my closet from long ago. It is a pretty brown satin wrap-around. I grabbed the old friend and felt like a "newbie" too this morning, with a old but new friend and a new tooth too. 

BETTY(takes very simple things for me) BOOP

p. s. is that called a cheap date?

NOT LOOKING FORWARD

 Memories of going to the Dentist when a child are still in my mind whenever I go to the Dentist today. Gone are the days when my Mother took me to Downtown Jackson when everything was there. In the lower part of Capitol street there were two-storied buildings. There you climbed stairs to second floor where there were offices of different kinds. The Dentist Office was there. Maybe the only one in town in the early 30's. I remember the stairs well. Narrow and stained dark and felt like jail to me. When we were ushered, holding my Mom's hand, into the torcher chamber room, there was the scary monster--the DRILL. OH, HOW I REMEMBER THE SOUND OF THAT THING. The breeze it made and the slip of his hands as he hit a nerve. I  had to be held down as I screamed. My, not a pretty memory. Today, is very different. No loud drill or a dentist who slips and is always checking you for comfort. But the memory lingers of days gone by and I still feel uneasy as I go this morning. Wish me Luck. 

BETTY (I may need it) BOOP

BLUE SKY

 How welcome they are. I sat on Balcony and marveled at the sunrise. Some clouds, but hey, they are pretty too. 55 degrees is very welcomed. My bulbs have survived and looking forward to seeing all the Tulips. 

 Egg-in-Hole was fun. Turkey bacon and O. J. and also sliced strawberries as a garnish. Up scale eatery? No just plain old DOT's place. She is a good short order cook. Makes good coffee too. Breakfast is her specialty. 

Think it is Laundry Day for me and shampoo my hair day too. My I have a lot to do. So here I go.

BETTY (scratching for a subject) BOOP

p. s. ever feel that way?

FACT OR FICTION

 Too nippy on Balcony so I sat inside and looked. I saw two Canada Geese sitting on the Bank. He strolled away and invited her to go with him. "I have something to show you." She waddled over, being heavy with eggs. They went into the Pine Thicket in front of me. "Do you think it would be a nice safe place for a nest, he said." "Oh yes, I do, except for the little old lady who sits on the top Balcony." They sadly left and I guess I will not get to see the wonder of baby geese. Oh, well--SO BE IT.

BETTY (onward)

p. s. what else is new?

SHIVER ME TIMBERS

 As the local weather man would say. 25 degrees will shiver you for sure. But the sun is shinning and it will warm some soon. I uncovered my pots of bulbs just now and they look fine so far. I hope they survive because I am enjoying them so much. Just to see the progress each day is fun. I am glad to see Monday and another week to start. Not going to Church yesterday made the day long. Not much activity going on here. Activities for the week are "Getting ready for a big Closet Sale." Many are working. I never did work in it and of course I barely even go to it now. So hard to get around the crowd with a walker. Everybody loves it and we raise a great amount for our Employees Christmas gift each year. We usually have 2 a year. So it takes up most activity for most of the week.  So Be It.

BETTY (will survive) BOOP

p. s. hope so. 

OLD MAN WINTER

 OLD MAN WINTER, Why do we think of him as a HIM?  Doesn't matter, maybe it is a HER. Whoever, I wish IT would go away and let me enjoy my Spring bulbs without covering them each night. That may not even be the thing to do, but I do it anyway. Can't wait to see the red stripped tulip to open. I sat on inside in front of glass sliding door to Balcony. As the sun came up, it looks like another beautiful, yet cold day. Covid at the McNeil  residence will keep us at home again. Hurry and get well.!!

I enjoyed Jan's visit yesterday. She brought groceries and we had lunch in Cyber. Lots of residents like to eat on Saturday there. J. likes the French Dip with FF's. I stole a few of those hot, and golden beauties from her plate. Just a few reminded me of what I miss. Went well with my Tuna Fish Salad on wholewheat bread. We talked and caught up on gossip and business too. Hey, I had the best strawberries with my 3 minute egg, sausage and Cyber biscuit. Sure do love my fresh fruit.

BETTY(life life is good)BOOP

p. s. not  all about fruit.

IRELAND

 Are you part Irish? Everyone is "part" on St. Patrick's Day. So much fun. The history of the Irish is hard to read. So much they have gone through. So we celebrate them. Yesterday was all Irish here. Even down to the Irish Soda Bread.  Irish coffee that was served to all who wanted it--Irish or not. Dressed in green, I went to have some too. I remember our trip to Ireland and what fun it was. Today the Irish coffee was still not my favorite nor the bread either, but I tried it all. Everyone looked festive but I was disappointed not to see a "Jig " or two. Maybe I left too soon. The main party was yesterday which I missed. They had a good time I hear.

At last a bulb is starting to open that is not purple (though they are pretty) and it is going to be red stripped. I think it is a tulip. That will be fun to see. I covered them with a sheet last night. I don't think they would have been hurt, but I did anyway. I am protective of them. 

BETTY(love my "babies")

p. s. the sun is shinning!!!

FRUITY LOOPY

 I just love the point where I sit down to write. The slate is clean and sometime my thoughts are too. What a release to let the words and thoughts go out to who reads. And evofen though they don't always reach anyone, I at least have let them go. So what is "Fruity Loopy"? Just a way to rhyme my thoughts. I made a beautiful Diabetic style French toast for myself. To make it festive and fun, I really added fruit. First, as I prepared the toast, I munched on a fresh slices of  luscious orange. I topped my French Toast with Blueberries. Added  small glass of Cranberry juice to "down" the many pills, that keep me going. That was a lot of fruit and my diet does not require that much at a time, but--"down the hatch" they went. Must look up that saying. Down the Hatch. Think it is Navy talk. since Truman used it a lot. I did sit a while after the rain on the Balcony. Bulbs are amazing-something new every day. I will protect them from the freeze we are being threatened with later. Who knows if that will or will not happen. But Easter always has a cool snap to cause the little girls to cover their finery with. alas a plain old sweater. 

BETTY(all fruity)BOOP

p. s. and Loopy too!!

SHORT VERSION

Short like me. I surprised myself by sleeping till 7 am. I woke several time during night and I guess I am just catching up. Don't like it. I have cut some things short. What? Not breakfast, not time on Balcony (it is perfect), not my prayer time, that I need always, not my Blog?. Well, I am really late now. So consider yourself important. Just don't knock on the door, not yet. You wont find a pretty sight. But then when is a good time for that?. Oh, yes. I did have breakfast too. No way to cut it short, but I am hurried and out of breath. 

BETTY(being the "late rabbit")

p. s. he was kind of cute but annoying. That is me!!! 

36 IS NOT TOO BAD.

 With wooly robe and high sock, out I go to my favorite place--BALCONY. I covered the pots last night, took no chances with the exciting new bulbs growing in the big pots. Some are blooming and others are ready. I saw Miss Tam-O-Shanty rush by, So faithful and dedicated to her walk. She had a sock cap, pulled down on her head and a big, thick coat and scarf wrapped around her body. My how did she move so fast with such a lot on. She always cuts to the road at the end of the Lake and walks to the back entrance. Some do that. My coffee got drinkable fast, but I stayed for a while. So beautiful -crisp and peaceful, yet I know Spring is coming and she is just waiting at the gate. Here comes the Sun!!

BETTY(cheered on)BOOP

p. s. GREAT IS THY FAITHFULENESS, LORD UNTO ME.

WOULD YOU ??

 Would you sit outside in 37 degrees?  I opted for the window seat inside this morning. Did not feel up to double robe or fluffy robe. Although I was tempted. I was struck by the beautiful sunrise and just sat inside to look. You have to get up early to see it. I have tried to describe it many times and there are no words for it. I love to get a look when I can, because it really is a sight to see. I went on to make my breakfast of oatmeal with bananas and blueberries. With o. j. , and a smidge of my new opened honey, on wholewheat toast, and of course coffee. The honey is from a farm in Canton. Man and Lady have been coming here once a month to sell it ever since I have been here and I understand for a while before. I caught the Man selling the honey, usually SHE is the one to take over and what a  FRIENDLY "TALKER" she is. Never giving HIM a chance to say a word. Well while she was visiting down the Hall. he took advantage. My he was interesting. Honey  is good too. I caught up with her in the Library visiting, so I did not miss her after all.

Not much else to write about, So I will not bore you any longer. Old Girls tend to be "chatty".

BETTY(close your month.)BOOP

p. s. my news is old news anyway.

BE STILL

 One of my favorite chapters in in Bible is from Psalms, Chapter 46. It has special meaning for me. Verse 10 gets repeated many times by me, "Be still, and know that I am God." I guess I am pretty thick headed and want to take care of things on my own, but most times I just can't and I remember to just "be still", for when I am weak, he is strong. Going to get toenails trimmed. Dr's orders, because I have Diabetes. What a pain when you can't even trim the toenails safely. Every 3-4 months. Just like a baby, I have so many little needs. 

I felt humbled when I saw the beautiful sunrise this morning. The pinks and blues were not in just any artist mind or on his brush. Can't find them any other place, except the sky. God is Faithful.

BETTY (on top of it)BOOP

p. s. don't let me fall.

UNDER THE WEATHER

 No, not me, but my "ride" to Church. Guess she had too much fun on the recent trip and came in contact with the CRUD. (word for most any MYLADY.) Anyway she is recovering and it is a good day to stay home anyway. I will listen to Galloway Methodist and be satisfied. O. K. , if you know me, you will expect to hear--"Look up Crud." I will not. I know what it means and never mind where it comes from. I might sneak and look later when I get bored with having to look outside at the rain. I do have a book to finish and another to start. I am set for a "rainy day". There is a song in their, but again, you are not interested in my little habits of looking it up. 

BETTY(really need a "day" job.

p. s.  no way!!!

PIE IN THE SKY

 Do you know how a phrase sticks in your mind and you wonder where it comes from? it happens to me a lot. Therefore I "look it up" sometime and learn a little about a lot of things. As Truman used to say, "But it does not earn me any money." I learned "Pie in the sky" goes back to 1900 in a song. And it is too detailed to write. So again LOOK IT UP. Interesting story. Made me think of the pies my Mother made. She did not have electric mixer in the early days. So how did she make the egg whites so fluffy. ? She beat them with the hand beater. What an invention. Called an Egg Beater. Took some fast and strong hands. She did not need special classes for exercise. My, I made many a pie in my early days too. No more. Now it is just "Pie in the Sky" for me. In both ways--to make and to eat.

BETTY (poor me) BOOP

p. s. what is your favorite? Mine is chocolate!!!

COOL & DAMP

 I decided to just stay inside and look outside, and see how that goes. I pulled the cane-bottom up close to sliding door and sat with coffee. I will tell you about the morning coffee. Always curious, I tried something new I read about. Cinnamon in your coffee. Just a dash!!  I decided to try it with the second cup. That way, one would be good anyway. Surprise!! It actually tasted good. Kind of perked it up. Not strong but a little "stout." I liked it. Most of you may have tried it, but I am am late bloomer anyway. So, something new and surprising. Nothing to get your blood pressure up-thank goodness. I worry too much about that issue-hence - up it goes. Tell me your secret of not-to-worry. 

BETTY ("KEEP THINGS COOL" BOOP

p. s. not easy

SEASONS

 In Mississippi, we have many seasons. Take Spring, their sub-titles. We go in and out of them before the main one stays. Easter is April 9th. Usually there is a "light Winter" around that time. Tell that to the trees and flowers and grass. They don't wait for the real thing. Maybe that is what is going on now. The Pre-Spring? Well, don't pack up the sweaters and sweat shirts just yet. So-Be-It.

I told the Bluble" family this morning,(they sent two Scouts to check) to go find the bugs, there are many coming out and they are young and tender, and they need the meat!!  The two Scouts that came, did not stay long. Today is History Club and I am expecting my usual guest to share it with me. The subject is PRESIDENT EISENHOWER: First Term. During the Korean War. Terrible time for us and him. So, the day is set, let us go enjoy.

BETTY (not a real History buff) BOOP

p. s. but I enjoy the company of my son-in-law  

TIT FOR TAT

 Do you know the meaning of TIT FOR TAT? "Look it up, I don't want to take up my Blog with educating you. I have heard that phrase forever and did not realize it actually goes back to I believe the 1500. So simple. I thought of it when the Bluble" family keep coming back to check. for cracker crumbs. They brought the Town Crier to check. He did his little "thing" of a dance and fluttering and shrill noises at me. And I thought mmmmm!  TIT FOR TAT. 

Hey, I got through the big exam yesterday with Amy at my side. Things went well and as usual Dr. is thrilled with my numbers. I should be glad and I am, but I guess I need to just change my attitude and live with the fact that I am getting old. And strange things happen to you, and you just need to  get used to it and be thankful for the band aids. It is like anything else that gets old, it is just "Patch, Patch, Patch." That is a modern "old" saying. Says it all.

BETTY getting out the Band Aids:BOOP

p. s. patch, patch, patch!!!

BIG DAY

 You can tell that I live a sheltered life when I tell you

 a "big" day is going to Dr. for your annual "look and see". You know how that goes. Well I made a list of concerns and wishes. Hope to put to rest the concerns and maybe get a few wishes too. Wishes for more strength to do things I love to do. Although, that is not exactly realistic I know. I can still hope. I do have many blessings with my health and am thankful for the many things a usual 96 old lady can not do. So I flip it over this morning and say Let it Be, and One Day at a time. Enjoy the many blessings I have each day. So here I go.

BETTY looking forward, BOOP

78 degrees--make soup?

 Only a fool would think of soup. But I like it year around. Especially when the freezer bag of left over veggies marked "for soup" is full. But I like soup. SCV dinning makes good soup. All kinds, some I am amazed that they use. Mine is Old Fashioned Veggie. Little bits of left over chicken and some time roast beef. Well It makes me feel thrifty. And a little smug when I can turn up my nose at the sometime not so good fare for the day. So instead of that, I make SOUP. If I make a little cornbread to go with it, I will a feast. Come on down and join me, I will give you soup. But give it time to soak up the love.. I have fond memories of my Mother making soup. The Butcher in those days would give his customers, if they asked--a "soup bone." The Starer of many good bowls of soup.

BETTY (have a good day" BOOP

P. S. make soup

THREE PINES

 I have been reading Louise Perry's mysteries for a while. She writes such good books. Unlike any other mysteries I have read. So full of fun, food, landscapes, and humor too. Set in Canada and many towns that make you want to go there. Of Course the village of THREE PINES (setting of books) is not on the map and you have to know how to reach it without a map. Anyway, I began to think of my little Village. Outside my Balcony are 12 PINES. I have watched them grow from nice size to large , very large. and to make up stories about. They seem to have been planted where they stand in a little thicket. Among bird bath, blue bird houses, bulbs, blooming shrubs, among  them are several native trees, you have to plant.  Sort of wonderful for an inquiring mind to make up stories about.  So I wonder about my little Village of 12 Pines. Can you find it? I am glad I did over 12 years ago. 

BETTY(thinking deep this morning)BOOP

P. S. Let's be off to Church this morning,

MURDER IN THE BATHROOM??

Not exactly the usual title of a Murder Mystery, but a true one. I have begun the Battle  of the Wasp. I walked into the bathroom last night too late to take care of this, but wasp do not have a watch around their tiny little wrist. They sneak in when they can. And how long had he been lurking in my bathroom? Who knows. I saw him from the reflection in the mirror. Could not believe he got so far into my apartment without me seeing him. Sneaky I guess. I do believe they have a cunning brain. Well, what to do?  I got the wasp spray from Balcony and so mad at him, I sprayed too much. He finally fell to the floor, kicking and I think screaming all the way. I hit him again and watched as he stopped kicking. Got a paper towel and picked him up, flushed him to the ocean!! Whew!! Now my apartment smelled of bug spray. Got worried that I would die in my sleep from the fumes. Opened outside door to balcony and door to Hall. Needed some air fresh in a can, but had none.  What an ordeal.

BETTY (better close with this story)BOOP

p. s. true story

MRS, SLEEPING BEAUTY??

Is that Mrs. Vanderbilt still sleeping? No just a little old lady who can't get it right. But, if you go to sleep at 9:30, you wake at 5:30. And decide it is too early to be up and about, so, you turn over, get comfortable, and the next thing you know. it is 7:00. Lordy I can't get it right. Maybe day light saving time will save me. Really, I do have a lot to worry with. Well, I must get on to the remains of the day. By the time I get all the morning agender done, it will be late. As the old folks say: "The sun is high in the sky", or something like that.

BETTY (but there is no sun yet) BOOP

p.  s. oh, yes there it is.

MANY LINES IN YOUR LIFE

 Thought of lines we stand in. Read a blog from great grandson. There was a picture of him standing in line at his school. I thought of the many he will stand in during his life time. And still as we get older, many more. Spend a lot of time there.  Just a thought.

Scattered thunderstorms coming. Spring really does have to fight to break through. But the Azaleas are bursting forth and are a pretty sight here in the South. I remember when we discovered them. You had to ride to Mobile where they raised them in hot houses.  They began to appear in gardens everywhere here and we would just ride the streets around town to view them. Now every yard and lawn has many kinds. I love the white ones. 

BETTY (let's ride around town) BOOP

p. s. or look out your window. 

HAPPY PLACE

 Do you have a "Happy Place"? I bet you do. Even if you have not thought  of a place where you are happy. Mine is of course on the Balcony. I was talking to daughter J. about how happy I have been here. But one thing that has made it so good is this double size Balcony. It is like an escape, although I do not like the word escape. I do not need to do that. But a quiet place to think and look and discover. My bulbs are growing. Can't wait to see what the blooms look like of the Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup.) You who are more up on bulbs know it. But it is new to me. That is the way I like it. The color is orange on the package. We will see together.

The First Baptist Church of Madison is bringing their Choir to sing this morning. Good. I am glad we are getting back to having local people visit and make us Happy.

BETTY (see word Happy again)

p. s. pay attention

 

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