DID IT AGAIN

 That gentle rain again, so I sat on the Balcony. Away from rain  and listened again to the music from the drain gutters.  If you be still you can actually hear music.  Again the wind blew on me and I gave in and here I am writing inside. Friday seems to come around fast. Another week has passed.  Do you know what Friday means to many out here?  Why of course Fried Catfish.  I like it baked.  But you would think it is special with Hush Puppies.  French fries too.  Don't forget the ketchup and tartar Sauce.  I don't have it because fried foods do not like me.

What else can I find to do?  Come on over and we will find out.  No just sit and look at the rain and listen to the songs it plays.

BETTY (the dreamer) BOOP

 

DID SOMETHING YOU MIGHT CALL "SILLY"

 A gentle rain is falling and I still wanted to sit on Balcony with coffee.  I did it anyway.  Pushed a chair to the wall and put on Crocks and sat at the table for coffee. I loved the sound of the rain trickling down the gutters and playing a merry- tune. Somehow it reminds me of childhood.  Mamas would let kids play in the warm rain  when it was no threat of thunder and lightning.  Mine included.  I sat and l and listened to the merry tune it played this morning and went back in time.  But the gentle wind began to blow and I was getting wet.  No bathing suit, so I went inside to write about it. Did your Mom let you play in the rain?  Lucky for you and me.   

BETTY (memories) BOOP 

COMPANY COMING

 Lunch on Balcony.  J and friend C are coming.  They were room mates at MSU a long time ago and have remained friends since. Will be fun to have them both.  

I saw King Egret trolling the edge of bank this morning.  So patient and slow. I am like him in some ways.  SLOW, but not very patient. Need to work on that.

BETTY BOOP

CALM AND EASY

 Everybody is tired from all the activity that has been going on.  We have so many new younger residents.  I remember joining everything that I was  invited to at first.  I now realize it was a way to go through grief after Truman died. I tried to fill my time.  I found out what I really liked to do.  Write. And I found ways to enjoy that.  The VILLEGER , our resident's publication.  I found how to use my love for poetry and to write it there. I gradually trimmed my schedule to fit me. Now I do just what interest me now.  Choir has filled a pocket of joy. But I let the NEWBIES DO THEIR THING NOW. I find it is best, since I have been forced to do just that. It tires me to watch them explore it all.  There is something for everyone.  Just look. Another thing I enjoy with much help from my girls is my Balcony.  Making it inviting to sit out and watch the flowers grow and watch the Lake and it's wonders is my big pleasure now.  Thank you Lord for so many pleasures. I did not know what to write this morning, when I first sat down to write. It seemed I needed to pour it all out.  Forgive me.

BETTY BOOP

BALCONY

 Small breeze and I stayed a small while.  Until  coffee was consumed.  Not much happening.  A Gaggle of Canada Geese on my side this morning. And one on the other side..,  Mmmmm.  You know they are Canada Geese---not Canadian Geese.  I guess I pronounce things wrong, but that one bothers me.

BETTY (better sing off while I can) BOOP 

GARDENS ARE GROWING

 I was just looking at S"s garden pictures for another time.  Can't get enough of it.  My flower garden is pleasing me too.  The morning is warm and sunny.  Just right for them. One walker.  Well she was a jogger in short, shorts.  A visitor?  The birds are still, kind of like the middle of the Summer. I am baffled at the funny little birds that keep raiding the Hummers feeder and keeping them away. They are here,( the Hummers). I see them. but they stay away from my feeder.  The visitors are Grey, black body and a red breast. The have beaks that will get juice out of feeder but rarely. They are just a little larger than a Hummer, yet smaller than the average bird.  They go from hole to hole trying and I am tired of running them away. Do any of my readers have an idea what they are?  And what to do about them.?

BETTY (Stay baffled) BOOP

p. s. I had blueberry waffles for breakfast.

THE DOT SPOT {MY FAVORITE PLACE TO BE}

 On the Balcony.  My flowers are making me happy.  All blooming and happy.  There is a gentle breeze before the sun gets started.  I hear Canada Geese in the background, a new couple pass by. taking it all in, The Lake is beautiful, so smooth and gentle. So, you see why it is my favorite spot.  A place to collect my thought and reflect on the day before me. What a way to start the day, unless you count the beautiful and perfect Gouda cheese 0melete I made this morning.  Never made such a beauty. Cheese helped. 

BETTY (the small things are best) BOOP 

SUN IS HAPPY

First a man being led by his big dog, then a neighbor walking steady on her walk, then a tall "gent" taking long strides. Making the Sun happy to be of help.  A gentle breeze pushed them on the walk.  Wish I could join the crowd.  I need to stop wishing and be more thankful for all the things I can do   Cooking my breakfast is a pleasure I enjoy.  Setting my table with care, and planning a feast.  This morning it was O. J.  mixed with a small amount of left over peach juice.  Do not throw anything away. Sausage links, egg over light  cooked to perfection, wholewheat toast with sugar-free strawberry jelly, prunes, and to top it all--coffee. This second cup saved for the Balcony. If you think you could stand to look at the tattered old girl, come as you are and I will cook you THE BEST BREAKFAST AT SCV.  Just know I am  kidding.!!!!

BETTY(world champion "kidder" BOOP)

   

 

SUMMER TIME, AND THE LIVING IS EASY ??

Really?  I have Winter and Fall clothes piled on the extra bed and it is a mess..I still have a few "old rags" to consider and am filling in with a few new ones.  I am pleased with Chico"s this year. New to me.  They had a sale and J, took advantage of it for me.  Brought an arm load of half priced nice fitting T shirts. that I wanted.  Loved the colors and kept a few of them.  So out with the old, well loved favorites to make room for the new.  How sad, yet must be done.  That old family made Cedar Chest is so handy to hide something I know must go some day.  I had better watch out or I may be one of those  old ones that "must go some day".  But not yet, !!!!!

BETTY (silly this morning) BOOP

  

HOT ON BALCONY

I will have to get out there earlier to beat the heat on the Balcony.  My body system has changed and I need more sleep, so I am slower to get out on Balcony.  Hot early now.  I think Summer is official?  Stayed a little while till coffee was gone and hurried back in.  

Sunday was a little lonesome.  I am as spoiled as they get when no one calls or comes.  So Be It.

Why will the Hummers still pass me up?  I have everything ready. but they still go elsewhere.  Oh well, I am kept busy taking care of my flowers.  They are looking good. And I can talk to them.  They like that.  Choir today.  I love that.  Good friends and our Director is so patient and forgiving.  We have some hard music to learn.  A few new.  I hope the audience will like a few new.  I really don't.  I like the old.  OLD  FASHIONED. I started to say Old Fogie, but I wont!!!

BETTY (OOPS) BOOP

OH, WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

 Sitting on the Bubble yesterday eating food from Mr, Chen's with T & J was so soothing and peaceful. Food is always so good. We got caught up on many subjects.  That is what I call a good visit. 

Church should be good today, as we are hosting Well Church and lunch in the outdoors.  We have such a good place for that. Wish I could go, but I can't handle the outdoors when it is rough standing and walking.  I have to pass up some good things.  But I must remember, as all the Dr.'s tell me. "Mrs. Ellis, you are after all, 97."  Don't remind me.  I know.  But I also must remember that I have some of the most caring, thoughtful, and willing people around me, to help me do so many other things.  I am blessed.

BETTY BOOP   

DR. VISIT WENT WELL (for age 97

 I am grateful for the good visit to heart Dr.  I am still beating.  I will write later more. J. will be here early to fill the pill box. T, is going to come to eat with us in the Bubble and watch for the pesky beaver who is doing damage on the tree trunks.  It is eluding the traps.  Smart I guess.  Got to go now.

BETTY BOOP

ON TIME

 I have an appointment with Heart Dr, for a. I hope is the last one.  I am doing fine there.  True my blood pressure was high this morning, they call it White Coat Syndrome.  Many have it.  It is d0wn now, but wait till they put their "cuff" on---it scares me and them too. They used to take it at the Ear Dr's.  But I wont let them anymore, because the little nurse there cant handle it.

O. K., if all goes well we will go to lunch.  Where would you sugest"  I like anyplace for a change.  Wish us luck.

BETTY (always asking for something) BOOP

SO SORRY

 so sorry if I woke you up.  I forget that everybody does not go to bed at 9:30 and must arise accordingly. Beautiful day out there, don't miss it.  I do get to nap during the day.  

My favorite coming Friday. Tim Stanek.  Jazz piano player. I do enjoy him.  Other good stuff too this week.  Can't do it all, but we have so much to chose from.  

May is  Chip Cookie Month.  We celebrate with a free cookie. So come on down and grab one.  We celebrate everything. 

BETTY (I promise not to eat the cookie) BOOP

MIXED UP MORNING

 When I try to do something different, I get mixed up.  Yesterday, a little too late for this, I put a load of laundry in  washer.  When It was done, someone else was off their usual time too.  One dryer was out of order. One left was merrily drying some one else. It was too late to fool with my load.  I was tired.  So I did something I don't do.  I left wet clothes to dry this morning.  So I had a plan to hurry down before anyone was stirring in the halls.  I went in my nighty and old robe.  (my nice one was waiting for the dryer)  I did not expect to see anyone. When I opened the door.  There was Father Frank in his PJ's.  Oh my. I guess his robe was in the wash too. He wears short knit pj's.  I was totally surprised.  He did not miss a beat when he said "Good morning, Dot".  I guess he has seen it all.  We went about our business and was not up set it all. Kind of like meeting God, face to face.

BETTY don't tell anybody please BOOP

WONDERFUL MOTHERS DAY

 With my family  around table, and one  daughter across the table, one on each side of me at the table, I was totally happy.  The table was set with beautiful flowers by the Master Hostess (S). All kind of roses. Why do we associate Roses with Mothers?  Both are favorites, there are many kinds of Mothers.  We all agreed we have the best. We had a  grand tour of the S & P's flower and veggie garden. Wonderful garden. Such perfect weather and we sat outside and had a wonderful day.  Food was outstanding. I brought a rerun on a plate and had a wonderful supper too. 

Words can not express the joy the day was and how much I enjoyed it. 

Now Lord, put a travel Angel in the back seat to those who are traveling home today. She will take you home safe.

BETTY BOOP

MOTHERS DAY------MORE LATER

G9T HIM !!!!!!!!

GOT HIM  I talked to our official fisherman here, he was in a hurry to get back to the Lake to fish. so no details but they caught a 8 footer last night.  Don't know any details, except he is gone.  Beaver still not caught. 

BETTY BOOP

p. s. read the blog before this one.  

NOT THE END OF STORY

 

The Zoo at SCV is growing. I thought it was a joke till it was official on the board.  We now have been trying to capture an 

alligator!! Yea, what is happening?  First a deer falls in Lake and was rescued, two litter of kittens found homes, two beavers are being chased by Wildlife. , several big snapping turtles have been removed back to the Lake from the front of building where people live, then an alligator !!! is still being stalked.  And I heard a rumor that SCV had been sold to a group of sillies from a Zoo.  All they need is a few Monkeys and they are looking within SCV, where they will find them .  All is true except the ZOO part. but anything can happen.  Stay tuned.

BETTY(feel kind of silly myself) BOOP

. 

the 

LOT TO TELL

 Maybe it does not sound like anything to you, but These things can cause a little excitement. Ist we are trying to trap two Beavers in the Lake?  where did they come from. Traps are set and watches are set . Wildlife and Fisheries was called to help get it out.

Next a deer fell in the lake and the Wildlife and Fisheries was called to remove it to a safe place. Next two litters of kittens were found and are now all adopted. And a giant snapping turtle was found on the road on our road.  Bet that was something. Don't know it's fate.  Meanwhile the beat goes on inside.  So may things each day. I can't keep up. I don't try anymore.  I miss a lot.  But SO BE IT.

BETTY BOOP

Oh, Amy and Mary Grace came to visit yesterday.  What fun that was.  BB. 

BETTER TODAY

 Funny how a day makes things smoother?  I had a multitude of things to just wait. Small problems and I just waited and things worked out.  

Balcony was nice and warm this morning.  Stayed long enough to drink coffee and watch Mr. Flowerpot Hat come and go. He is a regular now.  I am still looking for the Hummers.  I did see one a couple of days ago. but he did not drink or stay.   Still looking.  Just wait. The weather has been so uncertain and they know best.  

Meanwhile, I am waiting for Mother's Day when we honor our Mother's.  I was lucky to have had a  good one. I I try to do the same.

BETTY thankful, BOOP

excuse my mess

 please excuse the mess above  BETTY BOOP

CLOUDY

joyful and great intertainment.  Just had a lot to do and just missed it.   So much going on.  I am not keeping up very well.  I missed completely missed THE JOYFUL NOISE YESTERDAY. The wonderful group of young ladies from THE JR. LEAGUE of Jackson.  Of course I have heard  them several times, but always joyful and good.  They have fun.  I did get to speak to the Stone sisters and that was good, as they both gave me a hug and kiss and reminded me of  my long time friend their Mother Nell.  Oh well, I did get the garbage disposal un clogged and my computer back on track.  All important too. Seems everything happens at once. 

I treated myself this morning and had dry cereal (TOTAL) and banana, O. J., prunes .coffee and toast.  No coccinf at all.  I sat on the Balcony and saw a lady being led by her two Cocker.  Mother and daughter I think.  They were JOYFUL this morning. So

HAPPINESS

 All kinds of Happy.  While making up my bed I pass a wall of old favorite pictures. Most bring happy thoughts of days gone except to memory.  One I looked at this morning was  My True Love and I in one of our trips to Pikes Peak. We were sitting at the top of Pikes Peak on a huge stone. Sweaters and Jackets and smiles to match our happiness.  I remember the feeling of being so high and up in the sky, and just the two of us.  We captured it in our memory and will always feel the closeness of the two of us, just us.  

Wow, excuse me for sharing a special moment.  I have a few. Some are as they were and some are even better.  Let me remember them as they were (special and a joy to remember)  

Balcony was good, cloudy, but comfortable. Two walkers, enjoying the Lake and it's peaceful morning. 

BETTY BOOP

ALL SYSTEMS ARE ON GO

 I have been "under the weather" a few days. Little better this morning. Hope to go to Choir practice this afternoon at 3:30. The one thing I hope to hang on to. Such fun to sing for my friends. And most of all, to sing with my friends.  What will be--will be. 

New trick this morning fixing breakfast oatmeal.  I had forgotten to thaw out my blueberries, so I had apple slices I had kept cut up and ready to eat.  I diced up a few slices and cooked them with the oatmeal.  Perfect.  The apple cooked a little as the oatmeal cooked.  You know I am an old fashioned girl and cook my oatmeal.  It took only a small while to cook the apple to a pleasant crisp. Keeping slices of apple in a zip lock bag makes a nice snack and a quick addition to oatmeal.  I love a little tip to make it easy to do something new.  It was good and once again oatmeal is Queen of Breakfast. 

BETTY (quirky) BOOP 

RUNNING LATE

Now that is silly.  I have nowhere to go. But things keep happening and my routine keeps being pushed back.  I just talked to my # 1 Daughter, and I don't mind the time to talk to her.  We will see them in a week.  Will be fun and good.  She asked about my little "trash seeds". That is what I called the packs of seeds someone threw away in the trash and rescued by me.  I did plant them in the edge of my already planted plants.  Most are coming up.  I may have a few pots full.  Let them grow.  I like full pots.  

I am having Taco Salad for lunch.  Pretty good, if you have plenty of sour cream.

BETTY BOOP 

LONELY BLACK GOOSE

 Yes a Black goose.  I opened the blinds to see a goose on the roof across the way.  I was surprised to see him standing tall and looking lonely.  I went to preparing breakfast and when I sat to eat, he was on the Golf Tee. Just walking around with no sound.  I watched him and he watched me.  I wondered if he was lost from his family?  Maybe on the way to someplace else.  He walked the golf course and on to the Croquet course and finally up and away.  Hope he finds the way soon. 

Hey did you hear The Mayflower Cafe downtown since the 3O's has been bought and being restored to it's original beauty?  It brings back my early days in the 4o's of my first job downtown and finding my sweet husband at the old Commercial Bank and Trust Co. Oh boy, the shrimp cocktails were plain and simply good. (50 hard earned cents) All we working girls  could afford.  Ahh!!!  memories.  Some true and some sort of remembered.  Humor Me Please!!!!

BETTY  BOOP

p. s. A. you made my day.

ERIE FEELING ON BALCONY

   No wind around, So here I sit talking to you. Strange thing happened yesterday while I was out. My Humming bird feeder flew to the ground . I  can not walk that rough lawn, Most friends are in the same shape as I am.  What a thing to ask a Maintenance man.  One is to come hang a new drape today.  Maybe he can rescue it for me. Lordy I can dredge up trouble.!!! The Old Crow is mad at it.  Maybe he took a dive at it. No Hummers yet.  

What would I do without Oatmeal?  Every other day it appears and satisfies me.  Strawberries sure do make it special.  Thanks,# 2.  You bring me such nice surprises. 

BETTY (lucky me) BOOP 

coudy

MORE SUNSHINE

 The Lake is beautiful this morning.  So calm and smooth. the Willow and Cyprus Trees are flourishing.  The Lake is so calm that the trees and few clouds reflect like a painting.  My one regret in the way of talent, is that I did not try harder to draw and paint.  I always had a desire for both, but I guess not really any talent. Maybe it is still time.  No, my hands lack the strength to do either draw or paint.  But my mind still does.  Thank you Lord for that. I can plant flowers that make pretty pictures.  My they are loving the warmth and sun.  I love to hear that one Grand Daughter loves to plant and grow anything she touches.  What a talent. And I do think a few more are good at it too.  

BETTY BOOP

p. s. Think "Grand Maw Moses!!  No, I have way passed her age. my chance has faded. B.B.