TRAVELING EAST, GO HALF WAY TO IUKA

I went to Memphis today instead of Saturday. Got my little "notepad" on my iPhone fixed - took all of 30 seconds. If you haven't been to an Apple store, it's worth just stepping inside and playing with the iPads, Macs, etc. Busy place! I should have put something beside this iPad photo to compare size to iPhone, but I'd say it's about 4 times as large as the phone. Crystal clear, fast, as easy to read as a book and probably easier to read than a newspaper. I'm sure I won't be getting one soon, but these techy things fascinate me...

Had lunch with Amy at Panera Bread Company. We split a sandwich and a big bowl of their wonderful mac and cheese! She said her ear still feels "funny," and I'm guessing she still has fluid behind her eardrum. I told her she should see the doctor again if it doesn't clear up soon.

I went to JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts at Winchester exit (north); wonderful store! Must go back when I have more time to browse! I did get some pieces for Marsha's apron and a couple of other girls in the family. There was a Penney's down the way, so I shopped for Mama Nick's birthday present while I was there (I'll be at Sher's in October, her birthday month). I found two outfits I think she'll like; both skirts pull on with elastic waists - easy. Hopefully, I can get her to try them on while I'm there in a couple of weeks in case I have to return or exchange them. Stopped in Lifeway Bookstore and bought Steven Curtis Chapman's "Beauty Will Rise" CD and hIS and his wife's book Choosing to SEE. On the way over, I'd heard him and his wife interviewed on the radio.

I got home about 5:30 and Paul drove up just as I did. We sat on the patio and talked before eating a light supper. He'd been busy all day, non-stop. He's looking forward to the Mississippi State game Saturday in Starkville! Much needed break!

Wii!

After much closet cleaning at Amy's yesterday, we took a break and visited our cousin Salinda who lives nearby. Her two sweet grands were there: Amanda and Daniel, whose mothers are sisters. I remember when their moms were that young! So I had my very first hands-on and sight-on with Wii and it was so much fun! Pop-Pop (Richard) is such a good grandpop and so patient with the little ones, and the inexperienced ones - me and Amy! We bowled two games and it was great! I was surprised actually at my score, which was 164 on the second game!

We stayed about four hours and got to see Mike, Amanda's dad, coming to pick her up, and ended up staying till the bowling was over. And Tabitha, Daniel's mom, on her way out for a girls' night out (to see "Eat, Pray, Love," a pre-showing - she liked it). Salinda (Grammy) made BLTs. I love going to their house. It is so home, full of fun and life. The night before Salinda said they had eighteen for potluck (seniors from church), which is something they do either once a month or every Monday night... And yesterday she worked in the clothes closet at their church.

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Amy and I got back home about 7:30 and got busy again with the closet. I have several bags of items for the Women on Mission fall yard sale, another bag for Sher and Melanie, another for some friends of Amy. Yes, Amy definitely needed "permission" to let go of some of these things, but once started, she got really good at it! It's always easier on the one with the stuff to have an objective person there telling you it's okay or that you don't really need that 20-year old T shirt any more...This is before!

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Yesterday we ate at Panera Bread Company for lunch (the mac and cheese is oh, so good!) and stopped by next door at Dinstuhl's (oh, yes!) for some chocolate; today I think we'll have the roast I had cooked in the Crock Pot and brought over. Right now I'm ready for breakfast. It keeps us going... Thank You, Lord, for so many blessings.

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WEEKEND

Paul got the air conditioner installed in the garage, replacing the 25 year old plus unit that he got from his brother's office when he remodeled. It was old when he got it. It cools so well and is so much quieter than the old one, and is digital and has a remote control. We got the window (double windows) as clean as possible, and I even climbed up on the work table to lend a hand, forearm and elbow to the task.

Later Paul disassembled the old table in the kitchen and we wrapped all those pieces - table, leaves and legs - in plastic for protection and storage (since it seems no one needs or wants a maple table and chairs at the moment), put the legs on the new table and got it set up. I really like the height - easy to reach the surface, takes up less space seemingly since I can turn it diagonally, and a good work height should I need to use it for that. Still some things to do to that corner of the room: paint the pantry doors, placemats for the table, a bookcase or hutch in a dark wood to replace the old one. (I'd paint it, but it just won't hold the paint, I'm afraid.) Little steps.

Amy was home for the weekend and she and Paul went to Farm Fest for a little while yesterday afternoon. It was soooo hot! But I think FF had a great turn-out and Neall and Becca and all the volunteers who assisted or participated are to be highly commended! I did see all the downtown area Friday when I went to Hairjazz. Lots of activity! I just couldn't tolerate the heat, which I do less and less the older I get.

While they were gone to FF, I grocery-shopped and bought rib eyes; Paul grilled while I made the baked potatoes and sweet corn on the cob! Yummy! He did a great job, pulling the grill to what appears to be shade, but is still about as hot as the drive by the swing where he usually attends it. He and Amy visited on the patio while the steaks cooked.

Amy's neighbor found a kitten which he didn't know what to do with (didn't want to keep!). He'd already contacted the House of Mews (Memphis) and they didn't have room for another orphan at the time. So she has a kitten; brought it home in a pet carrier, which he's been content to stay in, with occasional forays into the big world, atop Amy's shoulder. That's when he cries... Oscar was a little fascinated at first, but then just accepted the fact that there was another animal about.

I usually sit down with the Sunday paper (Arkansas Democrat-Gazette), read and nap; but didn't pick it up until after my nap today, and a headline "Screwtape Heard From - With Apologies to C. S. Lewis" was on the editorial page. I've read Screwtape Letters and CSL is one of my favorite authors so this piqued my interest. As I read, it was obvious this was about Mrs. Lillian Wilson of our community, who was brutally killed in her church, beaten to death with a cross from the communion table, while assembling disaster relief buckets. Obvious evil. An arrest was made last week. It served a double purpose: to honor Miss Lill, as most people called her, and her love of people, her church and community; and to point to the fact that this kind of obvious evil reminds us that there is a real devil. I hope a lot of people read this.

Spring Day

I sort of slept in this morning; Amy had a call to go to an embalming job and it was late when I went to bed; I think she stayed up a while and watched TV. I really intended to come home early today, but the weather was so wonderful! I'd read that the Monet/Matisse exhibit would be at Dixon Gallary and Gardens until April 4, so Amy and I decided to go.

First - here are "we 4" at Colby's yesterday. We look about the same as the last picture, but it's always fun to be together and commemorate the little parties with pictures. The girls brought thoughtful little gifts and cards for my retirement. Thanks, Jean, Carol and Charlene! And Randy for doing a good job taking the picture - we all have our eyes open! Charlene's picture was in this week's Progress with three other area ladies who are on Cross County Farm Bureau Women's committee, attending the Arkansas FB Women's Conference in Little Rock last week. I don't say enough about these sweet friends - Charlene is active in our church and mentors young ladies, sings in our choir and knits (or crochets) baby blankets. Jean is one of our hospital's auxiliary members, active in her church, loves keeping her sweet granddaughter Julia, and is indeed a "mature shopper!" Carol oversees the hospital's program for assisting people getting prescriptions if they have no other coverage, is active in her church, is a great cook for her family get-togethers, and the only one of us not yet retired! Many more talents among them, plus just being sweet, supportive friends. These girls plus Teri and I were all the TB's - Traveling Buddies. Charlene wasn't along on the very first trips we used to make, but would join us when she could and her schedule allowed. Jean retired, then Charlene, then me. We're waiting for Carol to join that elite status!


Along Park Avenue, Memphis, across from the Dixon Gallery.

At the entrance of Dixon. The Tulip show is through mid-April and hopefully the tulips will bloom on out. There weren't many that we saw today, but we didn't walk the whole grounds.


Some of the jonquils near the entrance.

At the right is the original home of the Dixons and the left part of the building is gallery rooms which were added, according to one of the guide/guards.

No pictures were allowed in the galleries, only in the foyer. The little gentleman behind Amy was very observant and we saw him ask one young man to kindly not take pictures.

This was in the foyer behind the reception desk and I cropped it out of a larger scene. It's The Lacemakers of Ghent at Prayer by Max Silbert.

Amy loves to paint; I love to piddle with it. She's very good - from a long line of artists in the family. She was just amazed and awed by the skill of the people. We think much alike: who painted the very first picture? How did they learn to mix the colors or even know the natural elements would make paint? I borrowed a huge book of hers she had for an art class in college. I hope she'll get more involved in this - Dixon conducts workshops a couple of times a year for all ages. There was a wing of the building displaying the work of children and adults, from two years old up! One section of first and second graders had painted their interpretations of Georgia O'Keeffe's flowers. Amazing!

Floral arrangement being carted to the main entrance. The basket is shaped like a swan. Perspectives:

On our way home, we passed a city park and this man was enjoying the sun. His cap had even fallen off so relaxed was he! Not sure what the big piece of plastic was for... maybe for spring showers, maybe a "blanket."

We ate late lunch at Memphis City Pizza and went home to get my things in the truck to come on home. I didn't eat much and I didn't eat supper, but had a piece of turtle cheesecake from Colby's as Paul ate chicken alfredo. I did share with him it was so big and rich!

Was good to get home; Oscar was glad to see me, too. He acted like he felt so much better and is now curled up on his pillow in his kennel fast asleep. He will sleep in the living room rocker until we turn off the TV and lights; then he knows we're getting ready for bed and goes to his.

I'm feeling better about the stress test; not looking forward to it any more than I was, but accepting of it. Anyway, it's almost two weeks away and there are things to do and see between now and then! I know it will be uncomfortable for a few minutes, but I've had some of that before, too. I'm just thankful that, at least presently, I'm able to choose which doctor I want to see; and thankful for medical technology. Wonder if HeLa cells were used in any way in developing the drug-induced stress test? I wouldn't be surprised. Amy said she saw Ms. Skloot being interviewed on a TV show in the last couple of days.

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Sister is going to her daughter Melanie's for her birthday this weekend. April 1 baby. I remember when Dalon, Sher's husband, called March 30 or 31 or such, the year she was born (1973) and said Sher had had her! But she hadn't! He was early April Fool-ing! Then when she did actually deliver on April 1, I didn't believe him! There are 8 months and 3 days between Melanie and Amy. How can "our girls" be 37 this year??

Colors Galore?

I went to Amy's yesterday, or came here, since I'm still here. Last night she and I ate at Buckley's on Poplar, which is a really great little restaurant. It's just east or Corky's, on the south side of Poplar. It was a little late when we ate so we split a pitite filet and it was melt-in-your-mouth tender. This morning she and I ate at Bailey's on Summer Ave (no website that I could locate). I had a carb-loaded bowl of grits, scrambled eggs, cheese and bacon. Absolutely wonderful! Stopped by Memphis Mortuary where she had filled in for the owner/manager for a couple of months and visited a few minutes. On to grocery-shopping. Oscar was so glad to see us when we got home he was just aquiver! I thought he was cold at first, but every time I said a word, he would shake!

We got vegetables at Easy Way, all veggies and fruits, near Amy's, and some F.R.O.G. Jam which is fig, raspberry, orange and ginger. The checker said it was really good, so I got some for us. Loved the colors and price signs. Well, of course, I had my camera! But Amy's laptop wants to format the disk and if it formats the disk, it will erase everything. So. Imagine all the pretty fruits and veggies, and later, the hundreds of Valentine balloons floating aloft at Dollar Tree. Maybe a picture gallery later...

I got Emmy a Barbie birthday gift for her party Saturday, which we hope to attend. She'll be three! Where have three years gone!?

I hope the snow that's forecast stays very, very far away...

Happy Birthday, Amy!

Mercy me, I didn't mean to be so late - I mean, I wished her a Happy Birthday today - but to acknowledge it here!

The night she was born there was a terrible windstorm through Wynne and I remember the front door of the little house on Cottonwood nearly blew off as Paul was trying to get me out to the car! I'd been sent home once, the nurse or doctor or whomever was on call, that it "wasn't time yet." And late that night we went again. She was born at 8:59 A.M. How I remember seeing her for the first time - this little baby with all ten fingers and ten toes, plump and dark-haired and perfect. I just can't believe it's been that long ago. I don't think she'd mind telling her age because a lot of people who find out can't believe she's 36.

She got the best and the worst growing up, being an only child. But we always tried to be sure she was involved in things and with other kids whether at school or on trips - we took her friends with us many places.

But she's still our "baby." Every child should always be their parents' baby. Even when they're grown up.

Happy birthday, Amy!!

Thanksgiving Potluck

There was a lot of (lotsa) food today at the office. The pink velvet cake was well received - one of the guys said it looked as if the corner had all that cream cheese icing and he scooped it up and then saw how thick it was! I put the icing on a sheet cake, quantity was intended for a layer cake. Everything was sooo good. When there's food around there is visiting, a little relaxed atmosphere, and interesting conversation. I think we all had a hard time staying awake this afternoon. This coconut pie came from Mike's; I believe Rhonda made it, a pecan and maybe lemon - I just couldn't get around to all of them!

Paul went to the Crossroads Coalition banquet and awards ceremony tonight. It is a ten-county organization promoting economic development in Eastern Arkansas. Woodruff received the Crossroads Coalition Regional Business Pacesetter Award. Paul said he visited Woodruff's table which was represented with eight WECC employees. Paul attended as a guest of Wynne Water Utilities. (I understand that the person filming the awards for WE did not fall asleep.)

Amy had some car trouble recently and took it in for repair - her battery needed replaced, they fixed a slow leaking tire and something else, some monitor light, but I don't remember what; and it was all under warranty. Thank You, God. Really, Thank You.

Curb Appeal

Memphis folks throw away a lot of stuff, a lot of it pretty good stuff. One man's junk is another man's treasure. Amy spotted this on the curb today. It must be pretty old, looks like cherry - reminds me of the buffet I bought from Aunt Ruby (Teri's aunt) years ago. Amy said the drawers are dovetailed, not nailed, and in pretty good shape.

Sketches

Some of us sit down with a bowl of popcorn to watch TV and relax, or knit, crochet, cross-stitch, or even read a book or magazine - all while the TV is on. Amy has a sketchbook on her coffee table and an assortment of pens and colored pencils. She sketches and draws while watching TV. She is one of many of my family who draws, paints, doodles, and sketches, like this -

We had a wonderful time while I was at her house and I miss her; I'm sure Oscar does, too. I don't know what I/we would have done without all her help while my broken leg has been healing. I'm thankful for all that time we had and the ways I could help her out, too, in these last couple of weeks - making her lunches and "first" coffee in the mornings, making soup and cornbread, feeding her dogs, doing a little laundry - just keeping company with her. It wasn't easy coming home today.

Don't get too busy to relax... and doodle!

Busy Girls

Amy has been very busy this week with somewhat odd hours, though I suppose not odd for her line of work. After she got off work at NRFH yesterday, she had another job waiting for her at another FH near midtown. It was late when she got home. Oscar and I venture to the yard for his #1, but his major business had to wait until this morning and Amy could walk him around the block. Business accomplished. During the time I was getting dressed, she had another call from NRFH and Joyce asked her if she is coming in today. She was told between one and two, but now she's on acceleration to get there as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Sher is working overtime at her AF base because it's the end of the fiscal year. She called me the other night and managed to get out, "Somebody shoot up here amongst us. Somebody got to have some relief!" Our favorite saying when we've reached the end of our energy. I sympathized with her and then started telling her my aches and pains. Then she had a call from Mel and had to go. I called her back and she didn't answer. Finally heard from her and she said, "I just can't talk now. This dog's jumping up on me and trying to talk to Mel..." I felt bad. She was having a bad day and I should have just listened. I got a card for her and will mail it today. Two old ladies swimming. Not that we're old. And I can barely keep my head above water now, but it evokes memories of our tubing trip down the Guatalupe River several years ago, from Groen, Texas.

I've been some help to Amy here, washing clothes, making her bed, cooking supper or heating leftovers. I hope my card and the vibes of my well-wishes reach Sher and she knows I sympathize with her. My two girls are making it on their own and doing great jobs of it. Mommy/Big Sister just helps when she can...

Cactus Flowers

These are blooms on Amy's cactus beside her house. This cactus is many years old and is held up by rope and good wishes. This year it bore six blooms; two of which are shown. After she sent me this, four more blossomed out. I'd seen the buds for a couple of weeks and told her I'd probably miss seeing the blossoms. So this was a really nice surprise when it buzzed in on my phone.

Friday!

It's finally here and we're going to Amy's this weekend. We're on a roll and it's Mother's Day, too. I told her I'd cook her some pinto beans and cornbread tomorrow. And I asked her to put up all her candles and unplug all her plug-ins.

Amy was home Monday afternoon for an appointment and later we ate at Colby's (her favorite place to eat when home). After eating, we were back home and Amy was playing with Oscar. I say playing in the broadest sense of the word because he has limits. One, she is not his pack leader; two, it is his territory and his toy; three, he had just had enough. And he bit her. His mouth is huge (we think it looks like an alligator's) and so the bruise on her leg is huge, with teeth marks outlining it. I felt sorry for her and doctored her and petted her. After the weekend when they got along so well together, she was just stunned and it hurt her feelings that he "turned" on her like that. But - it just went too far and I'm sure she won't be grabbing his baby and pulling on it again. He has gotten really sweet around her and that's saying a lot, but this was just too much. Like the little boy down the street who kept getting in Oscar's face making noises at him. Oscar snapped just close enough to scare him and show the boy he meant business, Don't tease me! (The boy was not hurt, and this happened probably two years ago.) I asked her if we could bring him this weekend and she said it was okay. "He's your baby." Yes, he is. He doesn't like being anyone else's baby.

Found out today that BFF Brenda in MS is having a hysterectomy May 19. We've known each other and been best friends since 9th grade when I moved with Goobie to Iuka. Bren is a do-it girl - practical to my sentimental. She was all "go for it" in school and I was the one who said, "We probably don't need to do that." She said I probably kept us out of a lot of trouble. She's my "preacher girl" when I need to have a come-uppance/reminder/lecture/get my head out of the clouds. Anyway, praying all goes well, as she also has diabetes and a heart condition. (But she can outwork me any day!) One of her grandsons (Austin, the oldest) was awarded the Citizenship Award for his class today. Wednesday was her youngest granddaughter Eliza's first birthday; today was her second granddaughter Georgia's (Gee-ja) third; and her son David was 35. She has six grands - three boys (all in Iuka); 3 girls (all in Meridian, MS).

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I had a letter from the pulmonologist's office this week saying my lung CT is scheduled for May 12. It's in Wynne at the hospital, so it won't take long. Hope everything is as it has been, or even better that the nodule has disappeared. At least that it hasn't grown. This is the fourth scan I've had to keep an eye on it. All has been okay so far.

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My printer (at work) kaputzed this week. It had got to where it wouldn't print envelopes and it finally just quit, or sat there trying to do something, making all sorts of weird noises. A day or so later I got this video from a co-worker (it's the one with the cat). So funny! Wonder if our Bitty Cat would have tried this hard to figure it out?

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It has rained a lot this week and is humid today. Beck said she and her husband played golf yesterday evening and the course was so pretty and green. Paul spread dirt under the Tree Triangle in the back yard (where I want to put my Tishomingo Stone bench) and scattered grass seed. Maybe this will work - it's very hard to get anthing to grow there. He mowed the yard Wednesday.

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Check out this website for a Bible Study and comments: Women Say Yes to God I'm on Chapter 2 for next week's discussion.

Happy Mother's Day!!

Updates

Becky called me at nearly 5:00 today and said Sharon was taken into surgery a little after 4:00. Please remember her in your prayers.

Amy was in Wynne and we've just returned from eating at Colby's. She had to go to the doctor for sinus infection - it's been going around with her group, too. Pray for her recovery...

Rest Day

Paul went to Sunday School and church this morning; I didn't. My head couldn't take the cold, and I knew I'd have a coughing attack in church - it always happens where you need to be quiet and/or can't get to a drink of water. I'd already emailed Shelby and some of the other girls that I might not be there today. This is the third week! Got to get back - miss them a lot!

Amy came this afternoon and we had the roast/potatoes/carrots I'd cooked in the Crock Pot. Was good to have her home; she looked great - rested - and pretty, as always. She told us stories about "music moments" at a couple of services at the funeral home, which were slightly embarrassing to her but turned out fine. Murphy's Law. One involved playing a "live" version of one of Elvis's hymns, which was also a little "up-tempo," with audience applause! She didn't know it was live - didn't say so on the CD!

Paul and I weighed Oscar and I am going to cut down on his food. Since the dry skin episode, I've been putting olive oil on his food, as instructed, and also some canned dog food mixed with the dry (a TBS) and he's been eating very well twice a day. We knew he looked bigger, but he can't continue eating that much! I suppose for a dog who actually ran around in the yard or walked a lot, it'd be okay, but he doesn't get or need that much exercise, for his breed. Will adjust accordingly.

I've taken Advil, cough med and the antibiotics today and going to bed very soon.

Weekend, Holiday Over and Back to Work

Saturday Paul, Oscar and I went to Amy's for Christmas there and spent the night. We got there about the time she was getting up! (She worked 1/2 day Christmas day and Friday, so she was catching up on much needed rest.) Paul and I were hungry and went to Chili's for hamburgers. Later she and I went to the grocery store and she made chili - it was wonderful! It was a really warm day and stormy night - the high was about 81, but today was in the 50's. After we ate, we drove to Graceland to see the lights which we hadn't seen in many years and Paul actually stopped and we got out! There were quite a few people there and we made some pictures in front of the gate and over the wall. We stayed all of 15 minutes and a couple told us a storm was headed our way, and sure enough, by the time we were driving back to Amy's the wind had really picked up and was raining. Back at Amy's we opened gifts and just sat talking for a while and snacking, looking at the Christmas cards we'd gotten and Christmas pictures of babies, families and friends. Amy fed her dogs and Pauley came in and set Oscar in a frenzy. Pauley politely lay down and I'm glad Moe didn't come in! Poor O would have been mincemeat pie! Yikes! He's part lab and hones in on anything that moves and is smaller than him, which is most anything! I forgot the "fruitcake" and asked Amy to save us some, not to eat it all! I left the cheese ball and crackers and the rest of the breakfast food. Sure wanted some more of that cake, though!

Sleeping was crazy because I like it very quiet and Paul had the radio on in the spare room, but I finally went to sleep - between the noise and Oscar clicking his nails on the hardwood floor pattering back and forth... He finally ended up in the living room with Amy - they're friendly rivals and I think O knows he doesn't have his bluff in on her any more, but he still tries. He spent the night in the living room.

I made breakfast this morning fairly late - around 9:00. We stayed till around 11:00 and came home.

I had looked at craft/art books all weekend and decided it was time to go through Mama's box of pictures and sort through them, not that I'll ever cut up any of the cards - not any way soon - but I've been thinking about this for some time. So I got shoe boxes and sorted cards and pictures by families. Amy and I got our instinct to keep stuff naturally - I wonder that Goobie didn't do this, too; but she did have several. (One I especially cherish is a birthday card from Papa to her...) So having done that I felt pretty good about that project and glad I was able to finally do it. There were also some albums in the box of things that the pictures are falling out of, some with no names on the backs that only I would know who they are, and some really old ones of Goobie's sisters that were, thankfully, labeled in pencil on the back. I guess my next project will be putting all the loose pictures in albums... I should scan them... So many projects... I don't think there was any system to putting all her cards and things in the plastic box, but going through them it was funny how the layers of years just peeled away with hardly any out of date or at least out of year. People at her church just exchanged cards and for several years, those same people's cards were in a stack just as she'd opened and read them. There were letters and lots of postcards from Sher when they were overseas, handmade cards from Morgan, cards from Amy when she was in Hawaii, cards and pictures of Steve, Andy and a few of Denise. The very oldest were those that Goobie had, faded sepia which really should be scanned or copied. It was bittersweet to think of all the holidays - Valentine's, Mother's Days, birthdays, Christmases, just-thinking-of-you cards, pictures of family holidays together, even parts of journals. (She did the same thing I've done and still do - keep one or another for about 3 months and stop, and start again...) There was even a thank you card from Teri from when Teri went with me to Mama's, just thanking her for a great weekend. And a picture of them in rocking chairs at Cracker Barrel I'm sure, where we'd eaten. Wasn't so long ago.

I tried to call Steve - today's his birthday. Sher and I talked a while today - she has/will have 12 days off during the holidays. I told her she could still come see me. Called Mike and they're doing okay - they went to Marsha's mother's for Christmas dinner. He emailed me a picture of the rod and pins in his arm, but it was so big I couldn't save it. An amazing piece of medical technology! Morgan is fine from her accident last Tuesday on the icy bridge.

Back to work tomorrow. It's been a very busy and good month. I know the new year will begin just as busy... Always so much to do at work with year-end things. I'll miss being at home, and I'm sure Oscar will miss his humans, having been with us for five days! Or maybe not. He may just be ready for a little Animal Planet and a quiet house...

Mini-Vacation Almost Gone

This morning Paul worked in the yard again. I think this is the last round of leaves because he parked the mower in front of the Camaro in the garage.

The new swing! Paul had first hung it a few days ago and asked me what I thought and about that time Oscar jumped up on it like he always does, but he almost missed his landing! "It's a little too high," I told him. O would have gotten used to the extra inch or two, but I could tell by sitting in it it was a little higher than before. Now it's just right. Great job!

Bitty never goes for the couch! But this morning there she was just as relaxed as - a cat! So we left her there. Paul said she'd been inside since about 5:30 when he got up this morning and she was still napping at mid-morning.

Amy's house.

A street near Amy's house. I popped the colors a little, but not much - the leaves are still so pretty!

Christmas tree lot on Union.

Amy asked some nice strangers walking along the street to make this in front of where we ate - the Young Avenue Deli.

Amy's birthday surprise.

What can I say? Our beautiful daughter! Happy Birthday!

Going home - Riverside Drive and the river in the background.

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And Mama would have been 80 today... I told Amy and Paul, "I can just hear her say, if she were here: 'How can I be that old?' " I miss her so much, but I wouldn't want her here to be so sick, either.