Let us not talk about the weather. O. K. ? Let's talk about Grand Daughter's snap peas she planted. How exciting to plant something you can eat. Hope you gather a lot and can cook up something good to eat. Even enough to put in salad would be fun. Plant at least two tomato plants. Please bring me a home grown tomato.
Spring is an exciting time. The world seems new and promising. New start. Here is to Hope, Joy, and Peace.
BETTY BOOP
POLLEN OF COURSE. It is coming. Those who suffer through it are watching for it. Head to Drug Store for provisions. Maybe even the Dr. for help. I seem to be suffering year around. SO BE IT. Not much you can do about it, but treat it the best you can.
O. K. What about another subject. I am struggling with my voice and trying to hold on till the Easter program from our SUNSHINE CHOIR. The name was chosen before I came here. I would have named it something else: maybe HAPPY TIME CHOIR, FUN AND WORK, COME JOIN US. WELCOME But try and change something around here. We don't like change. Just something else to try to remember. I keep what sense I have with having a routine to stick to. Helps. I think.
BETTY (RAMBLING AGAIN.) BOOP
I think that is what it is called. Correct me Amy if I am wrong. Anyway, Truman made sure we had one. Interesting tree. It is beginning to put out buds. Soon it will look like popcorn and really pop. It grows right in front of my Balcony, so I see it every day. Good to be living right now. Well, you really can't live in the past. And the future is yet to come. Would you want it any other way? Perfect!!. Oh how these thinking minds do go on and on, as if they know a thing or two. Living a long time, adds a lot to your mind. Trivial things that Truman said good to know but they don't make you any money. Speaking like a true Banker. The tree is going to be beautiful as the days go by. Fun to watch.
BETTY (can really scramble an egg.)BOOP
p, s, best kept secret.
Yes I call it "Fools Spring." We will have a few of those before Miss Real Spring flows in. How do you picture her? She is warm and sweet and gentle, sometime. Sometime with a lot of noise or not.
I really don't want you to see my "Clown" face. The spots on my face from recent Dermatology look as if the Clown was having fun. They stand out to make me look comical. I guess I am too vain. Better to stay within the forgiving walls of SCV. where these things are common and just subjects for conversation. I will heal, I usually do.
BETTY (old scar face) BOOP
I had ham & egg this morning for breakfast. Jealous? It was a treat. Cooked it myself. One little serving of ham made that egg special. When ham is on the list at the dinning room, I get it. It is very good and such a generous serving that I make a dinner and a sandwich and a small bit left over for breakfast. Very thrifty--I am. Sometime I cut it up in a salad. Bet you could think of many things you could do with a small serving of good ham. Look at this. a whole paragraph about ham.
Daughter #2 is coming this afternoon, to do a few things for me. Surprising how many common little chores I can use help with. How easy and quick she does them. And #3 daughter is so quick with helping me too. Makes me happy and a little ashamed that I can't do little things still. They become large things now.
Back to coffee. Hot tea did not do it for me. I guess I am hooked on coffee, for breakfast anyway. Don't drink too much coffee either.
Must go and check out the birds. They have become my favorite pastime.
BETTY BOOP
S0me days are like that. feed my birds. Do the laundry, have apt. cleaned, eat lunch, take a nap, pick up mail, talk to a few people, eat dinner, clean up my mess, take a bath, watch TV, go to bed. Now that is very ordinary and not much to tell that would be worth telling. GOOD DAY.
BETTY BOOP
Well, the visit to my Dermatologist went as I expected. Here he comes all smiles and caring his tool of the trade. I call it the shot gun. Although there is no shot, just cold mist and a sting after. I think he enjoys his job. My face was full of trouble. Two or three kinds of stuff that he had to zap. I was brave and he was proud of me. Of course every Dr. I go to, is amazed at my age. I was a little shook up, but O. K. Have to put up with a beautiful face for a while. Think I should stay in hiding for a while? What to do? Amy and I are "bad" together. menchie's is on the way home. Sugar free--froyo!!!! Oh so good. Hit the spot. She has a new ailment too "nurse", Don't like that my girls are going down the path of some of the same stuff as I am. I guess we all do.
BETTY( there is always "treats" to help. BOOP
It comes regularly. Not blessed with good skin. Maybe I was, but did not protect it much growing up. My Dermo. said I must have picked cotton as a child. No, did not see much cotton as a little girl. But I did like the old Livingston Lake. Did you? Sun lotion was just luxury . I was told by MOM to wear a hat. If I did, it was for the freckles that I hated. Well, here I am with much to watch. I have had some trouble. I think today he will find some. I have passed it on to daughter # 2.
Speaking of swimming and I never did learn to swim. Just a \another minus in my personality, I remember when 2-piece swim site became popular. I could hardly wait for one. My first was a beautiful blue, plain and simple and later I had one with big dots(all colors) two piece. Little skirt and that tied in the back like a small maid type apron. Very cute. Look at the suit and not the dots of freckles under the sun hat.
BETTY (she gets more silly every day) BOOP
28 degrees now, but when this Lucky Old Sun gets rolling along, it will warm up to a perfect weather day. What do wear in this kind of weather? I have not bought many clothes lately. Just wearing my "old friends", as I call them. No need to "follow the fashion." My sister-in-law, Truman's sister, used to use that phrase. She always looked great and knew what to wear. She was more like a Mother to me than his sister. Everybody loved her. She always knew what to say to make you feel good. But was quick to give you advise too.
My oatmeal was good. A tablespoon of peanut butter at the end of cooking it. Banana too. Kind of like a sandwich. I have read that Elvis liked peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Food for the God's. Thank the South for peanuts. Or was it Jimmy Carter. We one time visited Plains Ga. His home town. O. K. one thing leads to another. So here I go on to the next.
Betty (just rambling this morning.)BOOP
Now what in the world is she talking about now.? Jan is trying to help find the best and favorite food for my bird friends who visit my feeder. This should do it, We did not remember they are Southern Beauties and love the Southern Blend, Lots of sunflower seed, They had a feast yesterday as we offered the new blend. They had been throwing the old blend we were feeding them, just as far as their little beaks could throw. Making a big mess for me to sweep away. So she bought two new kinds and this one is working. I can't wait to try the other new bag as it has nuts in it. Looks good enough for humans to eat. But we want, I have a can of salted peanuts for me.
Am I lucky to be trying out new bird seed? YES
BETTY( and so are the birds).BOOP
Thanks for that. Calm is what I crave. Pray for it every day. Just so much drama the Queen can take. But in the words of Wisdom, "INTO EACH LIFE SOME RAIN MUST FALL" Who and what is Wisdom. I look for it in so many places. Think I know a lot. I guess I am looking in the wrong places? Well---no rain is falling today so far, so stop looking for it or Wisdom. Just be HAPPY.
Poached egg reclining on a bowl of buttered grits. This morning, and it was good. My #1 daughter taught me that way. Of course when I eat grits, no toast. But a small bowl of prunes and a big strawberry. They are so large and good too. One almost tops the bowl. Largest I have seen. Well let me see if I can shake up the day. No, let it be calm today.
BETTY (the birds are really singing in the pine trees)
p. p.s. they are rushing Spring.
No, not me. Although I would be a small messy spill. IT happened when I was measuring oatmeal into a pan to cook. How many flakes do you suppose are in one third cup of raw oatmeal? I headed for the pan and carefully, I thought. I am not seeing so good that early. I lightly touched the pan and away they flew. Now at 6:30 in morning and still unsteady at best, it was not a pretty sight, Away they all flew like the new fallen snow. All over in every little space they could land. I almost fell out of love with cooked oatmeal. At least it was not yet cooked. The best ripened banana made it taste good anyway. So I am still sweeping flakes and it is in a pile for me to pick up later. (when I work a little more energy.
BETTY (just a little true story ) BOOP
p, s, from the (Drama Queen)
As I was washing Mr, Coffee pot, I thought of another long ago "little" pot. Reminded me like it was part of a little girls "tea set". Truman did not drink a lot of coffee. So I bought a small one for me. It was an old fashioned 4 cup perk kind. Non electric. You had to regulate with my gas stove burner. That was a challenge there. But it was a merry little appliance to listen to and the smell was heavenly. Mr. Coffee would laugh at it. Why these old time memories keep coming. I wonder what my mind looks like? All cluttered with much silly stuff. Stay tuned and one day I will describe my first toaster. I lost many a slice to the burn center. And drank many a cup of cold coffee, due to little ones running around and hanging on to the tail of my tattered rob each morning. What fun.
BETTY (having fun and did not know it then) BOOP
no, I really liked it.
If you can give them a HUG & KISS. Make the most of it. Love is a beautiful word. We always exchanged valentines. I made one for Truman (in the lean days), all I had. It was made from an old valentine and but I wrote my first poem to him. Here it is: This homemade Valentine
Is all I have for you.
But it says "I Love You."
And I am proud you are mine too.
LOVE Dot
I don't think It was the first one I gave him, but one of the first anyway. So, it is the only one I have for you too. BOOP
BETTY (make it a good day)
The sun is so bright. I had to shut it out. My birds are hungry, I had to hide the feeder when it rained. But they are out in full force. Begging. Spoiled. Mr. and Mrs. Dove (I think they are) are regular feeders now. I decided they need names. I may change it, but for now, I name them --- JOHN AND MATTIE. My grandparents on Daddy's side. I like the name "Mattie" for an old fashioned girl. Why did I not use it for one of my girls? Are they glad I did not?
Out came the egg poacher. Grits with a poached egg on top. Sounds pretty. But not for long, I had to eat and enjoy. I need to do a little laundry this morning. So Be It. I loved my laundry room on Riverwood. I claimed half the space when we built the house. Put some of Truman's work shop in the space and made a big room. It doubled for my sewing machine, washer and dryer, place to put up an board for ironing, place for craft stuff and a place for kitty's private place lots of storage cabinets. My favorite place in the house. I loved that house. I really just keep memories, for they are many,
BETTY JUST THINKING) BOOP
Did you even watch the Super Bowl. I got caught up in it. I usually don't, except for the commercials. Not real impressive this year. Remembering days gone by, as usual, we Ellis's of my generation always made a party of it. Taking turns with hosting. Each bringing food and wine to celebrate. Not me. I did love the dips and such, and snacks brought by all. But not the wine, We had such fun together and made bets on the game, although, I never knew the game very well. Last night for some reason, I stayed with the game till the end. I sort of knew what was happening. And wasn't it a thriller at the end.
Rain will end today I think. Still need it. Kind of dreary day, but that is just the weather, I dreamed a lot last night. Guess it was the football that did it. Many of my dreams take place on long ago Capitol Street, must have been an impressive time for me. In the dreams, I usually am shopping. I still remember the Shops I went to a lot. Nice dreams. I spent a lot of my salary on clothes, but managed to safe for a nice little nest egg, when we got married. I was quiet a "catch."
BETTY lets go shopping) BOOP
p. s. no lets not do that.
I got to sit on Balcony this morning. Like old times. I saw one lone walker all dressed for the North Pole. My we are confused. I heard Canada Geese coming, saw an Egret, pod of small ducks, and many, many, clouds. No sun for today. Well I did not see clouds, just grey sky. But that is indeed beautiful too. Jan and Carol came bringing a wonderful lunch. and much CHEER. We opened windows on the Bubble and let the fresh air in. It was delightful I love lamb Gyros, and that is what they brought. I was happy. We talked about every thing and then some. Thanks for lifting my spirits. They get kind of low sometime. Can't seem to help it, everything physical seem to pick on me. Good to forget it sometime. J, is coming this afternoon to "fill the old pill box". No, I have a shinny new one. Be thankful for every small thing!!
BETTY (I am a small thing) BOOP
p. s. important too.
All my readers would laugh and laugh at the comedy of errors I went through yesterday. So, I will not tell the things I went through, for they would only seem like an ordinary day for you. But I handled them like a pro, as I used to do it all the time. Today is a new day. How nice to look forward to #2 daughter and her long time College friend coming and bringing lunch to eat in the Bubble. (My private dinning room). Will be a much better day than yesterday. Jan & Carol have remained friends all the years. They even get together for lunch almost every Friday to stay close. So I will look forward to only laughs today.
BETTY (love to laugh) BOOP
a
Know that song? I know a lot of "oldies." How can some these days be classics? You know most of them, I can forget. I sound like an old "foggie" ? Well that is just what I am. My I had a good breakfast. Will improve my outlook a lot. I wish I could have served you a cheese omelet like I made for myself. Turned out, light and fluffy and cooked just right. It is an art that I stumble into sometime. Most of the time it is scrambled with half melted cheese. Only "oldies" have the time to perfect an omelet. Your time will come--if you are lucky... A hot perfect dinning room biscuit helps the process.
Here I go talking about breakfast food again. Seems I am in a "rut."
BETTY (nice place to be sometime) BOOP
YES, COULD NOT BE ANY BETTER. GOOD REPORT FROM DENTIST. THANK YOU LORD. AMY AND I WENT TO WALGREEN'S FOR A CHANGE AND FOUND IT NOT SO CROWDED, AND WELL STOCKED. BOUGHT A FEW THINGS I NEEDED AND SOME I DIDN'T NEED. HAZARD OF TAGGING ALONG WITH YOUR PERSONAL SHOPPER. BUT NICE TO FEEL A PART OF THE HUMAN RACE SOMETIME. THEN EXAUSED AND HUNGRY, WE PICKED UP THAT WONDERFUL 7 BEAN SOUP FRON PANERIA . LOVE THE BREAD. CAME HOME TO EAT IN APARTMENT. A. DID A FEW CHORES FOR ME AND LEFT AS I RACED TO MY BED FOR AN HOUR NAP. THE CHOIR PRATICE.BOY WHAT A DAY. FULL AND SATISFYING.
WE ARE LEARNING A LOT BY TRYING HOW MUCH I CAN TAKE AT A TIME, WHAT A PROCESS. WELL I MUST RUN (?) AND LEARN WHAT TO DO TODAY. i IS ALL A MATTER OF LEARNING
BETTY slow learner) BOOP
I write in grey because, I am going to visit my Dentist. I know, it is not the problem it used to be, but memories of early days, linger. My Dentist is such a nice feller and so is the assistant and now pain liked it used to be, buy, still I dread the outcome. Don't think anything is wrong, for I do take good care of the old teeth.
I am pleased with my Mardi Gras display on the Hall Table. Gaudy and colorful (like the season itself.) I decorated the Apt. door with Valentines from my vintage collection. Most from Truman's childhood. His Mamma saved them and I clamed them. So cute and reminds me of the past. I have a large collection. Who will take them and treasure them after I am gone? DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THOSE THINGS.
BETTY (take care of today) BOOP
Balcony time? Out came the long robe and high top footies. Cup-o-TRADER JOES' and good to go. Been a while since it has been fresh air in the morning. Clouds look threating and I am sure it will rain soon. I got out there in time to witness a goose squabble. A couple were really mad at a loner. They told him in no uncertain words to jump in and just "go". He did, but first before some ugly words. Over the Lake he swam fussing all the way. A heated lovers quarrel, I think. All is quiet now and I enjoyed the outdoors again. I had been missing sitting out there.
Number 3 is coming today to help with filling the pill box. #2 usually comes, but she is on a Ladies Church Retreat. Good for her. I will think about changing the Hall Table decor. Mardi Gras and Valentin's Day are close and then Easter. Don't know
what to do. ???? NOT NEW FOR ME)
BETTY (will think about it) BOOP
I had an appointment to get my earing aids adjusted. had trouble hearing and test showed my hearing had lost more than i thought. Denial I guess. Happens as you get older....denial. How can you not wish it was not true? Anyway, It was a wonder, how they fixed me up. I am hearing so much better. I am very grateful. J, said she was too. Now she does not have to shout so much. Sorry, I thought I was hearing the best I could. But no, wonders always happen. I am having to get use to them in their new place. So we felt so good (I did) that we actually went to Dollar Tree and Walmart and out to eat at the Chicken Salad place. So good. I felt so in the world again. I had missed all the new and the old stuff too. Had not realized I missed so much. To stroll around Wat Mart is a treat I had missed and did not know it. Had a wonderful time--was tired and still have not caught up yet. It is worth it. Thank you # 2, you are wonderful.
BETTY BOOP
