WATERCOLOR MEMORIES

I look around and see boxes stacked, waiting for the next trip to Iuka. How many CDs? How many old VHS tapes, including some of the good old Disney ones, events at church, Amy's graduation, Ginger and Fred? (We still have a TV with built-in player that works.) How many journals? How many old LPs? (We never bought a lot of them, but there is still quite a stack, and no workable turntable. But they can be found...)   I have sorted through old movies (some I taped for Mama when all she could get on her TV was fuzzy Tupelo station, before dishes and DirecTV) and cassettes (Amy at three "reading," Grateful in Hymn quartet, Amy singing "Forever and Ever, Amen" she recorded at the Mall of Memphis for her Daddy's birthday. And this is from just one storage buffet that I bought from Teri's Aunt Ruby years ago, and the side storage of an old entertainment center in one bedroom! See the green bag? Insurance claim from when I broke my leg.  Is it okay to burn or shred that stuff?  And what about cards? Mercy me, I am the worst when it comes to saving every greeting card we ever got.  And letters! I found some from Sher when they were in England in 1977. At least I can get all like things together and there's nothing like moving a life's belongings to know how many memories it brings back.  I have to make myself not handle every little thing, as Bren would say, and touch and rub it and ooh and aah.  Sorry, Bren, hard for me not to! I know a lot of this tendency, this madness!, came from being with Goobie and the great aunts - just wanting to keep their way of life in the country, at the old store; and from when our house burned. Most of those memories are in deep storage in my head and can only be viewed from the backs of my own eyes. So I keep "stuff." The perpetual librarian, historian, archivist.

Boxes of memories. Faded watercolor memories of the way we were...  It's the pictures I have a hard time looking at and we have albums and albums of those. That was going to be a major project when I retired - scanning pictures. Well, if that's your goal, get to it before you retire!

It's very nostalgic. Yet it's exciting - to be in our old hometown, in the "country" that I've always loved. I love Wynne and all our friends here. But when you know it's time, you just know. It's a different phase and stage of life. And of course I think of what we are told in the Bible - life is a vapor...moth and dust corrupts...we are here for such a short time. I'm most thankful for family we'll get to be with now and enjoying retirement together...

Happiness Is...

Sharing a hot fudge sundae with your dog on a humid late spring afternoon. I made sure he didn't get any of the chocolate. I couldn't eat all of the chocolate either it was so sweet.

It's also getting things organized - things I've stuck here and there thinking, oh, I'll put them up later. And now it is later. Actually making files for things instead of sticking pieces of paper behind a letter divider in the file drawer. Repurposing binders and dividers - I sent a couple back to the office with Paul for him and Theda to make use of if they can. The space between the wall and the file cabinet is still a storage area, but I know what's there now and I can see it without having to move other things. Lovely!

Happiness is having good insurance, although today I had to run down some more PPO information. It seems that the first of the year our out-of-state in-network hospital provider (Memphis area at least) is now Baptist again. It was Methodist for a few years, and before that, Baptist. Switches back and forth with each new PPO it seems. It's a job coordinating the physician with the hospital affiliation. Not that I think I'll need a hospital - I hope not! But it's good information to know because otherwise the coinsurance is 30% instead of 10%!

I took a break from my new hobby of organizing and went to Walmart and of course, did not leave without spending at least $100. Then the hot fudge sundae beckoned me. Now I really need a nap, but it's kinda late... Back to work.

What!? What am I thinking? If I were still working, I'd be nearly weeping because I couldn't take a nap.!

Have a good afternoon, everyone!

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After my nap:

Downloaded some pictures from camera and this was there - the bottom two quilts are ones Paul's maternal grandmother, Mother Ruth (Broughton), made - every stitch by hand. Mama Nick said her mother made it for her; some of the edges are ragged and I need to find how to repair or at least keep the edges all together. (One website said to encase in tulle or other sheer fabric. It is all still there, but not liable to get torn off the quilt.) The top blue and white is one Mama made for me (Hunter's Star); and the light blue, white, tan is a twin size matelasse I got while at Sher's - seashells on the bluey background. Years ago I rescued two quilts Paul had from home (his home) that he used in the shop! Pretty major damage, but I have those folded on top of a bookcase. This Dutch Girl (my former boss's wife Mildred Carpenter made a Dutch Girl for me years ago) has 48 little girls, all hand-appliqued. Patience, heritage, heirlooms...

Rainy Monday

On a private pier on Massalina Bay, near Sher's house...

Mother's Day was quiet and restful. Amy had to work, so after Sunday School and church, Paul and I went to Kelley's for the buffet. This is their busiest day of the year and well it should be - many mothers of all ages being taken out to eat or taking their moms and grandmothers out for a nice lunch. We sat at a two-top on the elevated part of the floor, and just below us were Mr. and Mrs. Sigman. He and Paul talked about politics almost the whole time. Except for the difference in levels of the tables, we could have been lunch partners. Very nice folks.

After lunch, Paul and I napped then went to church at 6:00. Kirk Owens, just returned from a two-year mission trip in East Asia, spoke. It was so interesting and great to see him.

Since I had slept a lot of the afternoon, I watched two taped episodes of Lark Spur to Candleford on PBS. I love the British programs, and especially PBS since there are no commercials. It was after 11:00 when I went to bed, but it was so nice to know I didn't have to drag myself out of bed at 6:00 this morning to go to work.

Today I've been putzing around on the computer, trying to coordinate a doctor's appointment with the hospital affiliation in my PPO. Such a chore. I don't usually rant about stuff here, but if it's this time-consuming and often confusing with our present health insurance, what will it be like when the national gears up? (Another rant I have, which I'll just mention here is people who let their dogs loose. Most just wanna have fun, but Oscar doesn't know how to play and feels threatened if they go much past first sniff... Regardless - there is a leash law.)

I made chili for lunch and it was ready when Paul got home. Wonder if he'll eat it again tonight? Don't you think cooking once a day is plenty?

And I cleaned out my 50-pound purse. I put just the bare necessities back into an old billfold type purse on a strap I carried several years ago. It has my little purse, my little camera, a pen, pencil, tiny tape measure, tiny Swiss Army knife with scissors, and a calendar.

It was 60 degrees along with the rain today. I checked the white rose sticks again earlier and they haven't turned completely yellow, so maybe they'll make it with the natural watering. I think if I look at them every day, they'll know I'm pulling for them. Maybe if I sing to them... No, that'd be a big mistake.

The daffodil horse at Vador's Garden Center on Poplar, Germantown, which is a big equestrian community and there are several painted/decorated horses like this along Poplar/Germantown.

Gardening, Gathering, Grooming and Lunch


Wednesday I spent the night with Amy and went to my doctor's appointment the Thursday. All the heart "plumbing" is fine; it's the electrical circuits that cause the skips, which I knew - a little spot that won't behave and insist in causing out-of-sync rythym. So we're trying a new med along with what I'm already taking. If that doesn't work... Probably another ablation. I may have to take med anyway, afterward; but I may not. Return in a month...


Amy and I looked for oak leaf hydrangeas and a red camelia at Lowe's and Home Depot to no avail. Thursday morning I found the oak leaf hyds at Dan West's garden center on Poplar. After the doctor's visit, I looked at Tripp's on Poplar for a red camelia - they didn't have any reds, but was told by the grounds/plant keeper to "try down the road." I stopped at Vador's and they did have the reds, so I bought one, about 4 feet high. I also got a small pot of the yellow petunias. So pretty!

Ready to plant.




We also drove around looking for a house number on Felix (Memphis). We didn't find an actual building or house for that number, but where the house would have been. Aunt Margaret remembered number and street of a house they lived in when the first moved to Memphis in the 1930's, and asked me to look it up. Since I had the opportunity this week, I did, and emailed some photos of that address and where her mother (our grandmother Flora) and daddy (our Papa) lived on Claybrook. There now is a medical facility and it's just across the street from Methodist Hospital. I don't remember the hospital being that near, but as a young child, I'm sure distance was relative - everything looked larger, taller, farther away. Claybrook street sign is just under the Tops BBQ sign; corner of Claybrook and Union. (I walked over to Bruce School several blocks away when I was in second grade, across this busy street. There was not walk-over then; and kids could safely do that "back in the day."

2912 Felix. 2916 would have been to the right where the big shrubs are. Amy and I learned that Felix stops and starts quite a few times, being intersected by whole blocks with no through passage.

Claybrook street sign just under Tops. Methodist to the left.

Today I bought a Knockout rose at Walmart. From the descriptionon the tag, it sounds perfect for my less than green thumb. Just plant it, forget it. I'm pretty sure I know where I want all these placed and have them set in their spots waiting for Gardener Paul to dig the holes for me.The front yard remains sparse but it does need some work. I just enjoy the patio and the cool back yard and there's more room for plants there.

Paul also made us a small raised garden for the half dozen tomato plants and four pepper plants I got before I went to Panama City. This week I cored a pineapple and stuck the top of it in the garden, too. I think it takes a while for pineapples to mature... Jean gave me several herbs to plant and those will go in a container: dill, thyme, spearmint, peppermint and rosemary? oregano? I'm so herbally challenged. While I was at Jean's I got to see Julia who was picking strawberries with her Papaw.

Tweaking the antique truck.

I splurged today and asked Tina to clean house for me, getting me caught up after being gone for two weeks. I also took Oscar to be groomed. And I had lunch with the Buds from work. So good to see Beck, Carolyn, Wesley and get caught up! They (management) took the old "Woodruff Electric" sign down from atop the building. Almost a landmark. Beck said they' gotten a new sign on the ground, somewhat like the "welcome to..." city signs.

Just a great feeling to be able to run errands at will. Other things I accomplished today: copies of some family history for cousin JoAnn; prints of pictures for her and Sher. Post office, library, stopped by Paul's office, talked to Theda. Things I would either not ever get to do when working, or have to schedule into such a tight timeframe it was too stressful and I couldn't enjoy them! People still ask me if I'm enjoying retirement. Absolutely! I am thriving in it!

Saturday Morning

It is cool this morning, and no humidity! Feels wonderful outdoors! Sher is home and "resting," but on her way to farmers' market. I forget about that, but it's nearly nine, so I'm sure everything will be gone from ours.

Paul had to mark a grave for a little boy who died in a tragic accident Thursday evening. Our hearts go out to the Orman family. The funeral is today at noon.

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??

Busy Day at Home

I'm home for a while, at least until my trip to sister's later this spring. I hope. I think.

Busy doing errands today - Walmart, groceries. Went to the library and checked out some books, one of which is The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, which I'd read about recently. The author (Rebecca Skloot) teaches creative nonfiction at University of Memphis. Her blog says she lives in New York. Maybe she was a writer in residence or visiting writer. I thought this was interesting, though. The library has beautiful spring flowers around the building. These are in front.

I'm famous, it seems, just by way of my retirement. Funny! Several people have seen the little story of my retirement in the Rural Arkansas Magazine, which I thought was well written by Carl Horton. The picture is one I had made for the last employee directory. The magazine archives link is just under Doug Rye's picture, but as of tonight, the March issue is not there yet. If I think about it I'll put up another link later. (Linkletter - remember that old show? I digress...) And it only took me 40 years to become famous!

Today is my oldest younger brother's birthday. (Mama named him Michael, how fittingly Irish. She used to say we were her "Pat and Mike." Very Irish.) He's 10 years younger than I am. He's Morgan's dad in the "Morgan's Shower" pictures below. He's a good guy and I love him so much - a great brother, husband, father, friend, Christian man. He's come a long way from throwing my and Sher's 45's like Frisbees and putting a little helpless kitty in the outhouse! Yes! And you know who saved it. And yes, we did have one of those tiny little buildings way behind the house. Not fancy. Just a one-seater. And we don't bake green birthday cakes for him any more. (Mama used to when he was little.) I hope he wore green today and didn't get pinched.

Amy and I "played" Wheel of Fortune via phone and texting this evening. When I was at her house, we watched this a lot of evenings. We both enjoy crossword puzzles, Scrabble, and Wheel. I know she misses O, and oh, me, too. I suggested she might think of getting a little house dog, but not really since she has two very big dogs already, and they eat like elephants!

Sher is going to enter three of her paintings (seascapes) in a juried show. I believe it's the 24th of this month. They have to be priced for sale, not that she's particularly interested in selling any of them. If she were to sell them, though, she would be happy. I think her main interest is just in having them judged and in participating. Her presentation to the Women's Art Group was successful, as I knew it would be. She had many comments from members who learned something new about Georgia O'Keeffe.

I got one of Mama's pictures reduced in size at the Walmart photo center today. Janette was so helpful - she came up with the solution to what I needed and reduced wallet sizes 3 times to get the size I needed for a project. A regular wallet size wouldn't fit and after "shrinking Alice" twice again, it worked! Great new HP photo machine there, too.

Oscar had to go back to the vet today. I thought it was the same problem, but his little tender bottom just had a case of "razor burn." Poor baby. Got a shot and medicine and he's much better. Little stinker weighs 16.1 pounds! He weighed 13.2 when we got him almost 4 years ago. I can't see where any of it is "fat." He was 18 months old when we got him, so really still just a puppy. He's stout as a little bull.

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Tomorrow I'm getting a hair trim. There's a limit to how long I can stand it.

~~~~~

Tomorrow is our niece Jenni's birthday - She'll be graduating from MS State (Yea!) probably in December and plans to apply to medical school. How do these girls grow up so fast! Her sister Jess was/is in the Bahamas this week teaching a scuba diving class. She's certified and has done this a few other times, too. Another doctor in the making.

~~~~~

And thanks to Kaye Kaye for encouraging me to do the wedding pictures!!

Southern Women's Show

We enjoyed the show at the Agricenter this afternoon. There was so much to see; and either we didn't get around to all the exhibits, or there is much more boutique type items displayed in the booths. There was a lot of jewelry, purses, scarves. The first Show I attended had a lot of culinary displays: cooking, foods to try, kitchen gadgets, spices and specialty items - relishes, sauces. Anyway, it was probably all there, but we didn't see it. We did have a good time, the tickets were free, the shuttle rides were from parking lot to the exhibit buildings were provided by Serra Chevrolet (it was a cooler day and had rained). We ate in the concession area and had crepes from - voila! - CrepeMaker! Lunch was chicken salad crepes and before we left we had banana/strawberry/chocolate/whipped cream crepe to share. We even ran into some folks from Wynne.

Can you tell which is this girl's real hair and which is the fall? There were hundreds of falls and the ladies were very good at matching hair colors. The girl's natural hair was cut in a bob about the length of the sides. The beautician is pinning the fall in.

Amy got some pretty sandals and a (I call it) railroad cap, but I'm sure it has a more stylish name. We also got some fun sunglasses. I have prescription ones that are pretty, but these can just be kept in the vehicle and they fit over my regular glasses, somewhat like the cataract shades. (Speaking of cataracts - Jean had her second one today and is doing fine.)

Channel 3 WREG/Memphis had a booth and one of the news anchors (Kris Anderson) was there. Amy had her picture made with him (by me). He was very nice.

Sue Whitney presented a program about recycling/reusing "junk" items to decorate your home. It's not fair that some people have these brilliant ideas, such as using a fire escape ladder for bannisters and discarded ballet bars for the bannister! She's written books on the subject, appeared on TV shows including HGTV's "Country Style." Her business is called JUNKMARKET.

Paul arrived at Amy's shortly after we got home with terror dog. He was in high form! Looks sooo cute and slick - Sherrill did a great job and his coat is so even, unlike when I do it. I know the last time I finally gave up when I got to his legs - he and I were both worn out. Paul said O was very subdued at home and didn't think he ate anything. (But he was only gone a little over 24 hours.) I think he was so glad to be back with the "women" he didn't know what to do, and after he ate, he calmed down some. We were glad to see him, too. AND Paul!! Amy told Oscar he was not the center of the universe, but he really is. At least he thinks so.

Wonderland

Paul filed to run for re-election yesterday. I'm so proud of him and the work he's done over the last 12 years as mayor and before that as city councilman. He's had great support in the elections and he and I both appreciate that. Hopefully, he will be able to stay in office another term! (Please - two retirees at home will not work! lol)

"Alice in Wonderland" opened yesterday and Amy and I went to see the 3D showing. Once my eyes adjusted, it was wonderful! I enjoy animation anyway, and this technology is great. I don't recall even seeing a 3D movie when I was a kid, so this was a first for me. I probably won't see "Avatar" or "Tron," but maybe "Toy Story 3," which is more my preference. Johnny Depp was a great Mad Hatter; Amy and I really liked the March Hare. It really is as if the characters or objects are "right there," and Cheshire Cat at one point seemed to just hang in the air above the audience.

Late yesterday we went for a pedicure, which was wonderful and relaxing. Amy had some spa coupons and Gould's accepted them (http://www.spafinder.com/). The ladies who performed the services for us were very sweet. My pedicurist was of Irish/Lebanese descent and had a wonderful story to tell of her grandfather coming to the United States via Ellis Island, and a visit back to Ireland to visit relatives. It is still too cool to wear sandals, but at least we have "pretty toes." This was a nice birthday gift!

And...

Today is my birthday! My first Social Security check will soon be dispatched!

Library Fun

A beautiful day out and since the used bookstore was closed Monday, we went back! I guess we spent a couple of hours and sated our appetite for books, also money and room, but those have been depleted anyway...

Amy's drawn to the children's books for the illustrations and found a Bobbsey Twins book! The original old green covered edition. A dollar. I have several at home, but don't think I have this one. I've paid more for them, too. We also found some Five Little Peppers books, ones I enjoyed reading when I was a kid. They were just magical to me. There is rarely a time now when I read even a really good book that the magic of the very first discovery of a plot, a character or even a word captures me like when I began reading. I found a book called Riding High, a sketchbook of Barbara Sneyd, a young girl growing up in the British countryside at the turn of the century (1896-1903). Her sketches, watercolors and notes are wonderful. Reminds me of another similar book I have of a sketchbook of a fisherman.

We ate at Jason's Deli which was excellent. Amy and I split a chicken salad sandwich and she had a side salad, I had a fruit cup (with fresh pineapple - makes one not ever want canned again), and a piece of turtle cheesecake. I had a couple of bites of that and Amy ate the rest, not that I didn't like it! She was really into it! I had a small cone of the free soft serve. We were there mid-afternoon, so there wasn't a big crowd.

We napped long and when I woke up with my book on my chest, it was getting dusky. I hurried and walked Oscar, who was ready to do business and get back inside. Hopefully, warmer days ahead soon!

Monday Outing

Around 10:30 I took Oscar to Eastgate Animal Clinic for some minor treatment - just something he has to have done a couple of times a year, and his nails clipped. The vet who attended him said he snapped at the assistant and upset her. I was so sorry! But I'd told them when I called that he's snappy. When I took him back to a room, I quickly handed his leash over, explaining that he does much better when I'm not there. And it's a vet clinic. And they made one of his nails bleed, cutting it too close, which is why I don't do it... So... He didn't draw blood on the assistant, either...

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(These little "tildies" work great as a seperater when, after inserting pictures, the paragraphs don't separate. I guess there's a way to fix this, but I haven't found it.)
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I called Paul to ask him to take care of faxing some information to my medical insurance company, that I'd already faxed back in November. I thought they had this, but they couldn't find it. Wheels of medical anything turn slowly...

Amy and I went to a couple of thrift stores today and she found a couple of tops; I found a lightweight jacket/windbreaker. This was bought in hopes of warmer weather soon! I don't know when there's been a colder February. I'm so tired of wearing a coat; and did I hear rumors of snow on Wednesday??I'd been wanting to see the Central Library (Benjamin L. Hooks Library) and we stopped there. Amy got a replacement card and we went up to the second floor to the fiction section. I'd wanted to try a couple of Jeffery Deaver books; Bren's been reading them. So she checked out three for me and they have a 3-week lending period, on fiction at least. It's a beautiful four-story building and I could spend all day there just looking at book stacks. What I'd really like to do sometime is have someone help me find old pictures of Claybrook, Bruce School and that part of downtown and midtown in the mid to late fifties. (I remember the old electric trolleys.)

Granite "scrolls" unfurling worlds of knowledge...

Looking toward the upper floors. I don't know what these are but they're interesting.

Just two of the stacks.

Information desk on second floor.

I think this leads into the children's area.

All book returns, check-outs and library card issues are done from a central desk on the lower level. There is a "gently used" book sale Tuesday through Friday and some hours on Saturday.

It drizzled rain a bit and I walked Oscar before it got bad, then bathed him of all the doggie odors. We get so tickled at his antics - after a bath how he roots around trying to get away from the hair dryer.

We ate at Blue Plate Cafe - we split our usual - country fried steak and veggies. Now I think I'll look into one of those Deaver books...

Variety

Yesterday afternoon Amy and I took a short trip in this beautiful weather to Midtown. This part of the city stirs memories of my childhood here, seeing all the familiar street names: Cleveland, Claybrook (where I lived with Goobie and Papa) and Trimble. We saw the new Playhouse on the Square where Pippin is running now, soon to be over. We went to a little shop called Maggie's Pharm with a back stair entrance. There were handmade soaps, jewelry, cards, and the herbal pharmacy where we heard a lady giving her order to the clerk or owner. This made me think of Goobie, too, who, along with her sisters Clara and Arie, were big believers in the natural herbal remedies.

Since we were so near, we went to Memphis Art Center Supply Store. Here we were both like kids in a candy store and looked at just about everything. We ended up with a big pad of paper suitable for pens, some pens (like either of us actually need any), a couple of small books, and two sheets of paper, one with leaves and petals embedded, and the other with confetti/print embedded. I'm so artistic I don't even know what this is called. Handmade?

On the way home we stopped at Taco Bell and that was our supper. After walking Oscar, we went to Target to get some double A batteries; Amy had two left and I needed four, so we got a big pack. (She has decorative clocks all over the house, some run and some don't. I've learned which ones to look at for the time if I don't have my watch on.)

I went to bed early last night - felt pretty fatigued yesterday. Heart skipping around. As soon as I took my PM atenolol, it settled down to a steady rythm. I slept better last night than Thursday, when I had a short episode of fast rate. It wasn't nearly as bad as two weeks ago. Still. I guess I'd overdone it watching Olympics till 11:00 Thursday night.

One night this week Paul ate at Kelley's and saw Beck and her dad Mr. Buck. He's in rehab at McCrory, and wanted to go out for something to eat, so she took him to Wynne. Email from Norma late yesterday said he said he wasn't going back to rehab. He's 91. I know Beck will do whatever she can to be sure he's where he can be stronger. Also Norma said Ruth Hafer had broken her leg just above the ankle; slipped at her vehicle, getting ice off her windshield. Ruth retired several years ago. So sorry to hear that; I sure know what she's going through. I've heard about more broken legs in the last year...

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Sher finally got to box of Seeduction rolls I mailed her last Friday, Priority Mail. I had put the wrong ZIP on it. So glad they re-routed it. She said she put them in the freezer to take out as needed. They don't have preservatives. Jordan likes them, too.

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Another pretty day today. I slept a little longer, got up and took Oscar out for his business. Had my decaf. Amy's still asleep. She's had two calls since I've been here, so we've spent a lot of time together, which has been great. Still hoping to hear soon that she can be full-time. Management sure can be slow at times... l0l

Retirement Lunch

Yesterday Paul and I met around fifty of my former co-workers (how strange to say that) at Catfish Island for my retirement lunch. I was very glad to see so many of the men from the outside crews, from all district offices. Most of the office staff was there, too, and I'd gotten to be with them earlier in the month. It was such an honor. I am definitely not a speech maker, nor have I ever, ever enjoyed getting up in front of a crowd, but I told the ones gathered there that they are like my family and I love them all! I just didn't allow myself to think about exactly why I was there or else I would have been a blubbering idiot. I did tear up a couple of times, and Beck made that "stop that" sound! Good grief, I was emotional enough inside! I've seen, heard, learned, participated in, helped through, been helped through, cried, laughed, celebrated, grieved so much - this was two-thirds of my life. And I saw a lot of life lived there. Being in the job I was, most of my contact was with the employees and I've known all their names, their spouses and kids' names; when the kids graduated, married, had their own children; illnesses, ballgames, school functions. It was a huge responsibility and I'm grateful I had it. God had me in a place He meant me to be and I learned much from these people, and from seeking Him and His guidance, grace and forgiveness. If life situations are a "laboratory," then this was my own test tube from His Hand. I hope I have helped many; I know I have been given strength, courage, laughter and love by them. And I hope those ties go on and on...

Billy presented me with a beautiful Seiko watch, engraved on the back, my name, WECC, 40 Years. Wow! The proverbial watch, but one I will treasure. I had a couple of links taken out this morning at Oakwood. (If you haven't been by lately, like me, they have rearranged the cases and it looks twice as big; lovely jewelry and other gift items, too.) Rachel Jennings came - I was thrilled to see her; she retired three years ago? Yes, I think so, just after Richard did. Pretty, long wrap-around scarf from her, which will keep me warm when walking O. And the Buds. Well, the Buds found this cute plaque at Chez Weenies in FC (Edwina makes many of the plaques, and this one) and it just says "Best Buds." It was just there. One of the girls saw it and knew it was for me. I put it on the wall near my computer here. Beck, Norma, Carolyn, Wesley all signed the back. And Mickie. Bless her heart - she sent an arrangement of fresh flowers - just perfect for the occasion! There were a few people missing, and if I begin to name them, I will leave someone out. They're all dear to me.

Paul and Billy carried on conversation while I went around the tables and talked to everyone and thanked them for coming. I guess Billy got more informed on politics! After the large group was finished eating, Paul and I waited for BJ and Tommy to come for their lunch and enjoyed visiting with them and while they ate, we had coffee.

Carl made a lot of pictures, so I look forward to some more for my album. These will get sent for printing.

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Earlier in the day before lunch, I got a call from the Social Security office in Jonesboro from the representative about my claim. She was concerned with what the weather might be by this afternoon, when we were scheduled to go to the office. The only thing theyoriginally said they had to see was my birth certificate, but she checked and by it being off just one day, it wasn't necessary for them to look at it. So, saved a trip, all done, and just waiting for that first "check!" Very nice to deal with; I never dreamed it would be that easy. She said she had had to help her mother with a lot of this type thing, so she's aware of what has to be done, and was most helpful.

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Quiet afternoon, got a lot done this morning; it's looking snowy, but the temp is still 41. I hope the guys don't have to go out in icy weather. Nor the ladies have to stay and answer phones... Paul is going to the Chamber of Commerce Banquet tonight at the Tech Center.