THE ZINNIA

 The Zinnias that I have came from a pack of seeds that some one threw away in the trash.  Healthy and tall, too tall.  One has a bloom that is almost Red and the Hummers {two} will not give it up.  It is amusing how they try over and over.  Maybe they are getting nectar from a common Zinnia. They do look good to eat.

They remind me of "ME".  Over and over I try to make something out of nothing.  Do you ever do this?  Human nature to want to know we are right and try to make it so. So we try and try sometime.

BETTY (just trying) BOOP  

TRIP WITH NORWOOD FAMILY

 I feel  as if I have been there too.  The pictures are wonderful.  You all should be refreshed and full of memories.    The kids are real "troopers", how about the grownups ?  Here, the terrain is the same, flat and hot.  That is alright, I have my memories of those National Parks, they are wonderful. The kids will be ready for school when they get back, with lots to share. Better go and start my day.  I know it will bring new memories. We have a mild Covid outbreak here. I am not getting up and close to anybody and trying to stay out of crowds as much as I can.  Don't want that stuff to get me.

BETTY (it has been mild so I am glad for that) BOOP

YELLOW BIRD

 I saw a bird I have never seen before.  Looked lost. A very graceful bird with legs a little longer but body average. It looked at me as if to say, "Where are the seeds?" I told it that to come back this Fall and find a bounty of food.  He flew off !!!!!  You know I talk to the Birds don't you.  (Miss. Doolittle.) 

I am happy this morning,  I had enough flowers to make a second vase.  Not big ones but one on each side of my Living room.  It does not take much to make me happy.

BETTY (flower girl)  BOOP 

COUSINS ALMOST SISTERS AND BROTHERS

 I was an only child till 12 years old.  So, I loved my cousins that were my age.  I bet Leo is enjoying his this week.  They will love listening to all his talk.  He knows so much to tell.  But to spend this time together is "priceless".  Making Memories.  I am all for that.  

I saw only one walker.  A little too warm and muggy for most.  For me too.  I drank my coffee and inspected my flower garden and saw a few buds to open.  Keep an eye on them and before "they" know it they will be looking from my little "Peaches" vase and giving me pleasure inside.  Well, here I go looking from the inside too.

BETTY BOOP

BLUEBERRIES THIS MORNING.

 Blueberries make the oatmeal go down nice.  I love them both-oatmeal & Blueberries, I have declared before.  I added a  "NEWBE" to the mix.  Not the mix but to the list.  I made a Diabetic Cinnamon Toast.  Made with sugar free sugar and wholewheat toasted bread and "real" butter.  I use the real butter, because it taste good and I use such a little that I justify it that way.  It seems I am in  need of  some new subjects. All I talk about is my ailments, sugar free food, and what malady will grab me  next.  SO BE IT. 

BETTY ( please don't stop reading)  BOOP

SOUTHERN CORNBREAD

How do you define Southern Cornbread?  Is it with sugar or not?  I think it is with sugar.  But I do not put sugar in it. So what do I call it ?  I call mine the best.  I do not have my little baby  skillet anymore, the best one, so I can't really make it like I used to,  Iron is the best. The Dinning room calls theirs Southern, it has sugar, I don't like it with sugar,  Old time cooks did not use sugar.  Oh well, I brought muffins from Dinning Room and will eat it with my peas and okra Amy brought, today.  I cooked them yesterday.  It sounds like I have a war with /sugar,  I do, Being a diabetic. I fight it all the time. I find if I am really selective and eat a small  amount of something with sugar, I can get away with it.  It makes makes me "sweeter" too.

BETTY (sweetly be) BOOP

 

 

  

PEAS AND OKRA

 Green is for veggies and A. came bringing sacks of them.  I will cook the peas and okra today.  Sounds good?  I love the Summer veggies.  Did not like them much as a child, but I sure do now.  I would love come corn too.  That is me--  always wishing  for more in the Summer time.  Now I want cornbread.  Dinning room brand is not as good as I make.  

I am still loving my little "trash" flowers.  I walk in my garden each morning and cut the new ones and replace any that are "drooping" in my small vase that says "peaches" 0n it.  I manage to get a beautiful little arrangement that makes me smile when I look at it. (often).

BETTY (playing house again) BOOP

PEACHES OR STRAWBERRIES ???

 Take your pick.  I have had both on oatmeal. both are delish!!  I guess I have tried most fruits.  But I bet I had something not many have tried.  PEANUT BUTTER.!!!!! A tablespoon makes it go  down surprisingly good.  Oh, Me, ( am out of subjects.  I saw my neighbor, who is a happy fisherman, on the other side of Lake, fishing with hope.  He catches many large ones and gets his picture on the Bragging Rights board very often.  I think he must have been chasing a big one, because he would run from spot to the other and cast his line.  Hope he catches a big one.  Would make his day.

Monday is usually Choir practice day, but we are off till September when we start Christmas program practice. I hope to make one more Christmas with the Choir.  The music is so beautiful.

BETTY (I am always wishing) BOOP

PEACHES

 Can't get enough of those "beauties."  Several States claim theirs is the best.  All are good.  I had a whole one cut up on cereal this morning.  My. it made old TOTAL special. However you eat them they are great.  Even out of hand with the juice running down your chin and arms.  I have one more in my fruit bowl.  I like backup resources. 

No walkers yet.   After all Sunday is a slow day and a time for rest too.  Think I will do just that.  I do a lot of resting lately.  Forced for sure.  I got to thinking about our big old motor home and wished to be, as old Willie would sing---"ON THE ROAD AGAIN"  I could sing a very poor version of that song.  Who cared?  I would sing as we left old Riverwood and head for someplace different, in the old days.  But always glad to get home.  No place like it.

BETTY(world traveler)BOOP

RAIN-SWEET RAIN AT LAST

 Rain seemed to dance around SCV and move on, but at last we got some.  Need more but am grateful for what we got. Cool on Balcony with a cup of Trader Joe" s coffee.  Opened the last of 3 bags  she gave me.  It is good coffee.  Wish we had a TRADER's here.  While I drank a cup, I saw a man walking with the walking sticks we have that look like hiking sticks or snow climbing ones.  Don't know what to call them.  We have had them for our use a while.  I remember when they provided them for our use, they were checked out a lot. But they stand in a corner and are not used much, but this man was enjoying them and they seemed to be helping him move along fast. Oh the things we see when we sit on Balcony.  Be careful, you may end up in my Blog.

BETTY (some know who Betty Boop is) BOOP

 

HOME AGAIN JIGGIDY - JIG

 Ignore the spelling of jiggidy jig;  I see my spell check check is protesting.  I am known far and wide for my terrible spelling   Learning shorthand in high school really erased any trace of a good speller,  forgive me. Any way, I am glad my youngest is home from a little get-away.  We all need one , once in a while.  My traveling days are over and I did a lot of it.  I am happy for it all.  

I am picking one or two zinnias a day, so keeping a nice little vase going.  They are hardy flowers. 

Oat meal with bananas was good. Bananas make it better.  We at SCV missed that rain yesterday, hope we have another chance today.  Someone left a beautiful tomato at my door. Don't know who, but thank you.  I have been wanting one.  I want a plain sandwich.  Sounds good?

BETTY love a ripe tomato BOOP

 

BEAUTIFUL SIGHT

 All was still for my time on the Balcony.  Nobody was around yet.  Little bit early.  As I was about to give up out of the Pine Thicket right down in front of me, slowly emerged a young Doe.  Could this be?  I have never seen one this close to the building.  I know they are in the woods next door and in a patch on the other side of Lake.  The Night watchmen see them all the time. Hurry home pretty one, before you are missed. I think she got caught on the wrong side of town last night. 

Will it ever rain again?  My I am tired of watering and wish a rain would blow my way and water these hungry pots.  

BETTY(wait and see) BOOP

p. s. I mean the beautiful Doe I saw trying to get home before the family misses her.!!!!  

 Jan came today.  She has offered to change my sheets for me and although I can still do it--it is a challenge and she wanted to help.  She does so many things that are helpful.  She came and brought a few groceries today.  Since it was lunch time and the Cyber is full as usual.  That bothers me a lot.  The noise and distraction are upsetting.  so I had picked up lunch for me and it was so much, I offered to share it with her. We had very good Pepper steak, rice with peas and carrots, squash with onions and a garden salad.  A piece of sugar-free RUSSEL STOVER Chocolate.  I think that was the best part of lunch, unless it was the best to share with my sweet daughter.  Don't get to entertain any more  and I enjoyed it.  Have to settle today and be good.

BETTY BOOP

NO NEWS TODAY, BUT THE DAY IS YOUNG

 You never know what will happen.  I guess that is good.  I ripped the sheets off and hope for help to replace with clean sheets later.  A little warm on Balcony so I did not stay long.  We really need some rain.  I will not even tell what breakfast was .  Always good.  Love breakfast.  Wonder what the "girls on the coast are having?"  Something exotic I bet.  Maybe they will just sleep through till lunch time.  

Poems keep romping through my head.  They will not stop long enough to write them down.  Therefore I have to let them go.  They were good ones  too.  Ha Ha. Maybe it is the new glasses.  I really like the reading ones.  I am happily reading my books now and don't get tired eyes like before.  Now that is the Big Blessing for now. 

BETTY (showers of blessings) BOOP

p.s. remember that old old hymn?

 

BLUEBERRIES FOR SAL by Robert McCoskey

 Much loved by many kids.  Mine loved it.  And a few others.  I thought of his books as I ate plump blueberries in my oatmeal this morning, many thoughts for blogs are born at breakfast.  We had 3 blueberry bushes on Riverwood.  Truman would pick them early before the Blue Jays could get them.  He would covered the bush (3)  with netting.  The Jays would sometime find a way to get under and have breakfast before we did Anyway a real writer would not be so wordie, but I am just a writer for fun and telling you my thoughts.  Anyway his books were a source of much pleasure. In our early lean days, I made sure we owned a few.  Yes they were mostly LITTLE GOLDEN BOOKS (25 cents in the early days) one each week on grocery trip days, when I pushed little sweet Amy in the cart.  Later the Library was our pleasure to visit.  Ah, down Memory Lane to check out a book and read it, and take it back.  

BETTY simple memories)BOOP 

but sweet ones. and the big girls liked the candy I always brought to them !!!!

C.LOUDY EAIRLIER----SUN OFF AND ON

 Sounds like my weather people.  Anyway, I thought of Truman's Papa ---  George Whitfield Ellis.  THE UNCLOUDED DAY was one of his favorite Hymns.  I thought of him as a very good man and he helped Truman 's mother instill values in Truman's life that were lifelong.  He was a very good man too.  The country side and near a small town was indeed a good place for a boy to grow up.  Hard at times, but good training for life.  Little country Church was named Ellis Church. Methodist and was built by his ancestors.  I am convinced that a background like he grew up in was very positive and right.

BETTY BOOP

p. s. think I will look up the song and read it again

  

SATURDAY ????Y

 Purple for grapes and dark red for cherries (almost purple).  I have been enjoying those beauties.  Worth the seeds in the cherries.  I shared a few  cherries with one of my neighbors who is always giving me sugar-free candy from her bridge partner.  Passed around because I safe the dark chocolate for Jan.  As The World Turns is our motto at SCV.  Give and accept little favors, keeps the world turning.  

BETTY (give, accept, and enjoy) BOOP

p.s. one of my mottos!!!

EARLY FOR THE BEAUTY

 Yes, early on the Balcony was a beauty today.  So still that the Lake looked like a painting. The Willow and Cyprus trees' reflections were so clear.  Number 3 came on the scene again.  I looked to the roof next to me and 3 birds and  spaced just so were perched.  I was amazed when they flew one after the other to the Cross on the Chapel. One on the each point of the Cross.  Wow!!!!

Picked up my NEW glasses. I am so pleased with the reading ones.  Glad I took Dr.'s advice on that one.  I like the new regular one too. So that went well.  Lunch was great.  Cesar Salad and a slice of pizza.  Will go back there again. All and all, a good day but tired as usual.  I try and try to do more, but alas I seem to do less and less.

SO BE IT

BETTY (less seems best)  

THEY COME IN 3'

 I mean my mind works that way. Have you noticed?  THE THREE LITTLE PIGS, WINKING, BLINKING AND NOD, THREE LITTLE GIRLS, BACON, EGG AND TOAST, WILLIE NELSON, ME, & BIDEN, 3 MINUTES TO SPEAK, on and on. Then there is the best of all---FATHER, SON, HOLY SPIRIT.  AMEN

BETTY BOOP

get this one out of you mind and see how many 3's you can think of.                                    

DANCING PARTNER

 Do you remember my several blogs with the little dancing 3 foot man (his size changes withe each Blog).  He found me this morning on the Balcony.  The breeze and temp was good and I thought of him.  He was the subject of a few Blogs in the past. He lives, I guess under the stairs on first floor and has surprised me several times.  He jumps out and says "May I have this dance?)  The music starts and we twirl and spin our best and he bows and vanishes.  What fun. I have wondered where he has been hiding from me.  As the gentle breeze and a sort of low temp was going, He appeared on the Balcony!!! "May I have this dance?" He pushed the chairs aside, made a long dance floor and Took my hand and away we went.  My robe flowing, I felt like a fairy floating in the air.  He is a good dancer and he carried me away. All a sudden the music stopped and he waved goodbye. Promising to meet again when I need him to lift me up and away to dance.

BETTY (and away she flew) BOOP

FLOWERS FOR LITTLE DOT

 I grow my own  thank you.  Although I love to get them from a thoughtful and loved one so much.  My little pink and purple Zinnias are delighting me.  I made a fresh vase full this  morning.  My Mother loved flowers.  She grew them where ever they lived.  Brought them to Church for the Altar table regularly.  I did not appreciate her gift, just took it without thinking what she was doing.  Her gift to everyone.  I like to think it was a gift I got from her and passed on to my daughters and grands too.  What a sweet gift.  

BETTY(flower girl) BOOP

NEW WEEK

 New start.  That is how I look at a new week.  Be more cheerful and hope to feel good.  The chances of feel  "good" are slim at 97 and tending to every little ailment as I can pick up, is a blessing as long as they are "little."  Goes with the small ailments I have.  Keeps me busy.  "Which one do I pick for today?"  Let the games begin.  Or how about a "day without something to complain about?"  Move over "trouble", find something good to talk about.  Food is an off subject.  Did you see the Sophia pictures of the new Kitty at their house.  So cute this morning, fetching? Smart cat.  I have owned many cats in my days, but never one that would "fetch" like a dog.  Would make a good one for the TV shows.  

BETTY BOOP

SUNDAY ALREADY

 

I located my two youngest daughters at their pool  yesterday.  Swimming, lounging, talking, perhaps snoozing too.  What a life. Glad they live in same subdivision.  What are the odds for that?  Nice.

Cloudy and maybe a little shower or two today.  Keeps it a little cooler. After all it is still the middle pf Summer.  I am getting enough flowers to cut a vase of them.  Nothing else is doing much.  But I like to have some to look at inside.  

I had a sausage biscuit from the freezer this morning.  Did not feel like cooking a fine and lovely breakfast.  That is why I keep a back up.

Can't seem to get going this morning. Lots of mornings are that way.  Just be patient, I will come around {I hope.}

BETTY { short on patience} BOOP

STRAWBERRIES

 Strawberries take a backseat when the peaches. watermelon. and other beauties take the stage, but we get them year around thanks to Florida and California and other places of the right temp. but they are welcome for sure.  Had some great ones this morning from J. , in my oatmeal.  So good.  Thank You # 2.  You are so thoughtful.  

The Balcony was O. K. for a while.  Little gentle breeze and watched as a man drove his golf cart and a passenger jumped out to check the Bluebird houses.  And one lone jogger went by.  Brave one she is.  Hope she has oatmeal waiting in her kitchen with some fruit on top. 

BETTY (with fruit on top) BOOP

SAT ON BALCONY

A bowl full of peaches, makes the oatmeal go down. and in a wonderful way.  You know I do like oatmeal, but you need to try one of the wonderful peaches of this season on anything or just by itself and  it is next to Heaven!!!!  I don't remember them tasting so good. This morning was still and quiet and nobody stirring at all.  Too much celebrating the 4th?  I doubt it out here in the sedate halls of SCV.  Someone should break through and cause a real celebration.  The Hot Dog was good yesterday, but that was about it.  Of course I should not complain, If something big would happen, I would run for Apt 2313 and hide.  I like the peace and silence now.  Of course I am kidding.  I have never been where so much happens.  Something for everyone.  Just take your pick.  My pick is usually is to sit back and watch.  Also fun to do.  That is since I have entered my "golden years) as they call them. UGG!!!

BETTY (just having a little fun) BOOP

HOT ALREADY

Last night I was shook up when this big boom sounded.  Of course I had forgotten the Fireworks show in Liberty Park across the way from us. My it was loud coming off the Lake.  About 30 minutes I think of celebration. I   remember when I would go on Balcony and watch.  But not now.  It is as good as New York or some other big place, but I have seen it enough times that it does not move me any more. Sign of the times, I guess. 

What I am interested in is the Lunch today.  I get to have a Hot Dog.  Wheeee !!!!!

BETTY (SILLY) BOOP

SILENT ON BALCONY

Red hot for today.  Poor little flowers.  They looked sad when I sat on Balcony.  Not the best year for them.  I am enjoying the Trash Zinnias. Tall an strong'  They struggled to get here. I guess people can be that way too.  Why do I always find a meaning in everything ?  I need help. So what else is new?  I get more "helpless" every day. Time takes it toll.

  BETTY BOOP

r 

DUCKS IN A ROW

I saw that in action.  9 in a row. perfectly spaced just floated by.  One was way to the side ambled along.  Guess they did not have "Their Ducks In A Row" after all. I could make a blog of that and just why he was out of line.  Sometime when you are getting things to work, there is one thing that will not get in the row.  Right?  

I had a good old fashioned breakfast.  Egg over light, turkey bacon, wholewheat toast, prunes, orange juice coffee. Good and easy to fix.  On balcony for a short while.  Yesterday I saw a man with a high power hose washing outside windows. I guess we are on the list.  He needed a bathing suit I thought and that would have made his job nice. Should I bring that suggestion up next meeting?  Could open up all kind of issues, better leave it be.

BETTY BOOP

p. s. leave it be. better sometime.

SAT ON BALCONY IN MY NEW ROBE

 Blue is my favorite and my new robe is so pretty in a blue checked seersucker.  Short and cool,(just like me).  I could not help it, I cut the 5 blooming balcony flowers from the balcony pots.  Looks good inside. I do like flowers in the house.  HOUSE?  Well part of a BIG house. Filled with friends and much comfort.  

Sun is out, little chance of rain. So that is not much news.  I did think I herd a cicada.  Possible?  About that time.  Always liked to hear them.  School will be starting soon. Hey, I have grandchildren who are still in school.

BETTY(time marches on) BOOP

p. s. yes it does.