Slow Start

I finally realized about Wednesday that the backache I was having was because of a UTI and so Thursday I called the clinic for medicine. The nurse was so good to have it called in for me - I so appreciate not having to sit a couple of hours in the clinic when I know what I need anyway. It's somewhat better, but mornings are slow going.

I plan to visit my long-time girlfriend Brenda in Iuka next week, over a long weekend, and I'll stay in "my bedroom" at her house. We have so much family there and maybe one day alone we can visit all of them. I let my brother know I'll be there in case he wants to feed me. Since Morgan has married, they're short of bedroom furniture, and they'll be working, too. Bren and I plan to just run around or sit and talk, the latter being the more appealing plan. And she is making me chicken and dumplins and peach cobbler! We've been friends since we were about 15 and I doubt there's anything we don't know about each other. We just live too far apart... When we were in school, she lived in the city and I in the country, and that's reversed now. In the country, we had a party-line phone. I'd have to wait and wait to call her and when I'd ever get the line, we could hear people pick up trying to use the line, or listen, which is why we developed our own language. It was somewhat like pig latin but had some personalized twist to it. Every phone on the party line had its own ring sequence, but I don't remember what ours was - two longs and a short, or similar.

The last couple of days I've cleaned out filing cabinets and discarded about a foot and a half or close to two feet of paper - old property tax records, old bank statements, old insurance claims, old hardware store invoices (except the ones that have paint color or names that we've used in rooms of the house). There's an app for that... I should put all that kind of information on a Word or Excel document, and may yet. It is so nice to have room to actually pull out a file without having to remove a handful before and aft to get it out or back into the drawer. I've used my little Brother label maker which has come in very handy.

JoAnn called on her way to visit her brother Dan; she was in Jasper, Alabama. She had received all the Joslin/Wadkins family history and pictures I'd mailed, had taken them to Aunt M in the nursing home, and they'd had a great time looking at them. Aunt M remembered where some of the pictures were taken and made comments about this one or that one, interesting family history snippets. JoAnn had all this with her to take to Dan's and share with him, too.

Paul is mowing now that the grass has dried enough.

I must get up and get going... There is a bridal shower this morning - Claire Jo Ramsey and Brody Eaton. Can't believe these "children" are old enough to marry. But then I wasn't ready for Morgan either!

Just back from the shower - wonderful party! I got to visit with old friends and see the sweet young ladies in all their skinniness, sundresses - and platform shoes! Alisha and Joyce invited me to Women on Mission, which meets the first Monday each month for a program, potluck meal, and mission projects. I remember years ago when the Baptist Young Women (BYW) met at night once a month, how fun that was - we collected items for the youth camp, for the migrant center (I don't remember where it is) - things like toothpaste, brushes, razors, Kleenex, etc. There were several who attended at the time - Polly, Judy, Kathy, Helen, Joyce, Mary Helen... I'm sure I'm leaving someone out. So it would be good to get together again. Joyce and Alisha are both recently retired, too. Fonda, the groom's mother, introduced me to him and said, "Amy used to babysit him some when she was in high school." Perspectives.

I'll get up and get going - need to run to the grocery store; I'll probably make spaghetti for dinner. Then there's tomorrow's dinner - it isn't Mother's Day again, is it? - so I guess I'll have to cook. But there are some "take-home" boxes in the fridge we can heat up. Maybe a salad to go with them... Talking to one of the hostesses, their family has Sunday dinner every week - the least they have is around 15 - they cook at her mother's house - "She has all the pans..." - and there are a half a dozen menus they rotate around. Wonderful tradition and to have that many family members, now greatly extended out to grandchildren, just whoever shows up...

Went to the grocery store; what is a #2 can? I think it's the small size can, about a cup. I got cream style corn, jalapeno peppers and shredded sharp cheddar cheese for Mexican cornbread, which is now cooking, and the spaghetti is sitting, waiting. The noodles will be too soft but the bread will make up for it. Some combo: Mexican and Italian.

Sher called and had stumbled upon her neighbor's yard sale and asked if she could put a few things in, which she did, and made $116! She said she regretted selling an old char with a cane bottom, which she had caned herself. I was surprised she'd sold it, even considered it, but it will be in a good home, I'm sure. She was ready for a nap, as I most certainly am and will have as soon as we eat.

The first day lily of the summer. Love this color.

Blustery Saturday

It was overcast again today with forecast of rain and wind, which started this evening. Although it was stormy, I love to hear thunder. Seeing lightning, not so much.

Somehow I fell into my pre-retirement routine of errands: post office, Walmart, grocery story. But I didn't feel rushed to get it all done. There was no self-imposed pressure to do this, do that or it will have to wait until tomorrow or next week...

Paul had to buy a new leaf blower last week and spent some time in the yard cleaning off the carport and patio. It'll all just be right back. But he loves being outdoors. He washed his truck, and of course, that brought on the rain, as it is said will happen when you wash your vehicle.

I was going to take a nap this afternoon, but made the mistake of turning on the TV in the bedroom and "O, Brother, Where Are Thou" was on. This movie has a great soundtrack, which I got after seeing the movie the first time a few years ago. Anyway, I never did take a nap.

Paul watches the car auctions some on TV in the evening and Oscar chooses those times for "daddy" time. He jumps in Paul's lap, but he has to have his little orange "passie" cloth toy that he's gnawed nearly into. Oscar acts different when we're both here, or when Bitty is moving about in the house and not in her chair. I've tried and tried to break him from being panicked over his food, but nothing works. He is just convinced he is in danger of having no food, though he doesn't eat it all at once anyway. This week the mail man left a box at the back door and of course,Oscar's territorial instinct just exploded - I called after the mail man, "Sorry!" and he just threw up his hands. The next day he had all the mail, including a small box, stuffed into the box at the street. I don't blame him. Though he's safe on the other side of the door, it is disconcerting to have a dog of any size trying to chew through a glass and metal door to get you! But him's my baby; I just wish others knew how sweet he is...

Very Busy Wonderful Weekend

The day was full of promise and it turned out to be just wonderful! A very good day.

Starting off with our Sunday School class party at Beth Dildine's, there were 21 of our class present! Lots of good food, fun, visiting with one another. Stephanie tries to "keep order," but with as many as we had there, it wasn't easy at times. We ate, made the "class picture," had a devotional about the meaning of the candy cane as related to Christ and His sacrifice for us, played the "(W)Right Family" game, passing gifts at the "right" and "left" words until we each had a thoroughly mixed and traveled gift. Beth's home was decorated so beautifully, and we had a great time. Thanks, Beth, for having us! We really all enjoy each others' company, even as wide as our ages range! (There are two pictures, but one has me and one has Stephanie on the left. A really good way to solve this and have one group picture would be to remember the tripod or learn how to Photoshop one of us in the picture! Both things I need to work on.)

I went to the post office to mail Sher a gift for her tree and she's to open it when she gets it. She just doesn't know what it is yet - a stained glass tree ornament of the Episcopal Church, a historic building, in Iuka. Tiny and charming. Brenda bought the ornament for me last year, put it up for me, forgot where it was, and this fall when I went to see her, she had found it.

At home I just had time to arrange the bows that Nikki Garner (with Cordial Cottage) made, on the grapevine wreaths for the carport and front door. I left a mess of debris because it was so cold outside in the floor but Paul vacuumed it up when we got home...

From Salinda's party at her daughter Tabitha and son-in-law Kerry's house - Salinda and my dads are brothers (her dad has passed away), but I didn't meet Salinda until Paul's 10th class reunion. Her husband Richard was in Paul's class. Salinda's folks lived at Paden before moving to Memphis. We always have a great time with them when we're together. This was her 60th birthday and she had lots of friends and family there. I think her sister Brenda's daughter and Salinda's middle daughter, whose house we were at, could be sisters, they favor so much. Salinda and Richard married when she was 15! And they've been happily married for well, 45 years! Amy got to come and we were so glad to see her, too! She's been working for a friend as well as getting some hours at Northridge FH. We met some sweet people and one lady decided she should receive one of my banana nut bread loafs (loaves?) at least once a month. I will try to send her at least one! Sweet little lady with a great sense of humor - Martha. AND - small, small world! - we met a lady who, when she learned we live in Wynne, said she had a cousin who lived there - JoAnn, lived on Ouida Street. Of course, JoAnn Snider! The family resemblance was there and the sweet personality. I called Tom on the way home and told him, having his cell number since he retired from Woodruff. (Opal is JoAnn's cousin's name and she must still be on her honeymoon either long or recent, because she and her husband held hands the entire time! Cute!)

Salinda opened many wonderful snuggly, comfy pjs, robes, and house shoes, including two pair of mismatched ones! Wonder how that happened?

The little girls loved Amy's lap. Someone asked me if that was my granddaughter.

Dawn helps Daniel (Tabitha's son) focus.

My cousins Salinda and Brenda. They had another sister Barbara who died about two years ago.

Richard, Jana (youngest daughter) and Salinda.

Your cousin Opal is very sweet, JoAnn!

See any irony in the shirt Amy has on at a birthday party?

The lady with the green Christmas vest is Martha, who really wants the banana bread. She can probably make it to beat what I took, hands down!

Paul explains how he knows Tom and JoAnn, to Opal. And probably is politicking some, too.

Very tired when we got home, and still Oscar to walk, and alllllll the way around the block, not just down the street - and it was Cold! I think he just wanted to walk and pull me around the block, because he didn't have very much business to attend to!

Beautiful day today, too... Church and Sunday School this morning. Special music of a quartet from our own choir - Wesley Davis, Mark Clark, Gerald Britton, oh, me, I knew I'd forget the other and I don't think I know him... Wonderful! A friend of Brother Matt's was visiting and he preached this morning - Dr. Bart Box. After our lunch today, I got started making the city departments' brownies (three double batches, which I mixed with my new stand mixer, which I wish I'd gotten 40 years ago! Wow! It holds and mixes! So far only brownies, but I can tell it will be an arm and neck saver!), and addressed many Christmas cards, listening to WRVR Christmas music. Another walk with Oscar, sorted through pictures from camera (still a lot to learn there), and finishing this up. There was no church tonight so that SS classes could have Christmas parties. Paul's class is going to meet next Sunday night after church for light supper, at Kelley's; and ours met yesterday - just scheduling issues...

Saturday Highlights

One, Arkansas beat Mississippi State 42-21. Long ride home for some folks. I'll hear it Monday!

Cleaned house most of the day, too tired to start soup. Oscar and I went for a walk to the primary school and around it, back home.

Last week I bought a new camera - Coolpix p90. I had thought of getting an SLR, but now I'm glad I didn't. This is so easy to use - of course, I haven't begun to read the book or know what it will do or how to use it well, but was familiar with my little camera, so this one was at least easy to turn on. Uses the same batteries and disks, too!

Some pictures I made today with it...

Oscar hightailing it for the door. These action shots will take some practice, pretty out of focus, but haven't been able to do this with the little Coolpix.

Bitty took time for some reflection in the cool fall air. Made with telephoto, about 12-15 feet away. Top is SOOC (straight out of camera) and bottom was Photoshopped with watercolor - not a lot of difference; background is darker.

Sculpture at primary school, mosaic in background.

Pecans falling all around; some Paul picked up and laid on the fence. Neighbor Joe has a bountiful tree and shares...

A good marble. Think Oscar and I will go to Sonic. He's been tuckered out on the floor asleep since we got back. Wore his little legs out. (Mine, too.)

Marble Day

Oscar is over pouting because I spanked him with a magazine, because he bit me, because I provoked him, because I was trying to clean off his stinky chin whiskers, because he'd eaten another animal's poo in the yard, and threw it up in his kennel. What a chain of events. That was last night. Today he is over pouting. I bathed him today, sort of cautiously, minding his sharp teeth, not that he put them into use today. Still. Last night he plunged one fang into my finger and I bled like a stuck hog. Then I soaked it in alcohol and put Neosporin on it. I guess I would have pitched a fit and bitten someone if I'd just eaten the forbidden, thrown it up and someone was trying to clean my face. Yuck. He's a dog. He had enough. He reverted. I picked up a handful of catalogs today and his tail drooped to the floor. He remembered. But we're okay now. He's clean and docile and my finger is hardly sore.

Since Tina came Thursday and did the deep cleaning for us, I did things like laundry, folding it, putting it up, changing the bed, grocery shopping, walking O, and making a recipe from The Pioneer Woman's cookbook (Marlboro Man's Favorite Sandwich). It's made with cube steak, cut in strips, much like a Philly Cheese sandwich, only with stockier meat. We enjoyed it. Her book is pretty, practical and sort of like holding her blog in your hands.

Sher didn't feel well today at all and asked me to tell her something to "enthuse" her. I told her she needed to let her adrenaline rest. Then she asked me to write something about her house; I think her idea is a submission to one of the cottage magazines.

Oscar and I walked to the primary school this afternoon and we went through the school field. He kicked up quite a lot of dust as I did, making his bath of the morning null and void. I brushed him when we got home.

Paul rounded up the leaves in our back yard (the front yard evidently won't grow trees) for about the second time this fall. It'll have to be done again.

All that rain just a week ago and it's so dusty!

Our neighbor Joe laid the neatest brick walk from the back of his house to his storage building - all old brick with the brick companie's names stamped on them. It's so pretty and I'm sure he'll also have it landscaped as the front of his house almost always has something blooming or changing colors.

I had to call and leave Dr B a message about a refill on my bp medicine - I won't have enough till I see him again, and it's too soon to get mine refilled. I'm taking 80 mg in a.m. and p.m. A couple of times it's been in the 130's, but not every time. It has to be consistent and that's what he wants: at least 130 (systolic). But I tolerated the 80 mg in the morning okay today.

Monday

I wasn't on the computer at all this weekend and I apologize to MM for not doing the Challenge for two days.

Saturday I recuperated from last week. I did get dressed, but only because I gave Oscar a bath and got wet myself. He looks like a Wooly Bear and Paul said he'd call for a grooming appointment this week. Paul mowed the yard, washed his truck and put the new back yard hose on the reel. I love watering the ferns and other plants in the back, and hosing off the patio.

Sunday we went to church and Sunday School. So many spiritual needs - you never know what someone's life may be like, what they or their family members may be going through. I'm thankful that our ladies' class members feel close to one another and have the trust we do that we can voice our concerns and ask for prayer. We've seen God work in lives.

I made a quick dinner, we ate, and Paul napped on the couch while the Talledega race zipped by in the background and I went to the bedroom and slept for two hours.

Sher and I talked later in the afternoon - she has three appointments this week to look at houses, but is pretty sure she wants to make an offer on the Cove house. I finally got the pictures she sent of the interior and it's very charming and looks like her - I can see her furniture fitting perfectly. It was built in 1941 I believe, but has been kept completely up-to-date.

I called Amy but she was just finishing a shower and said she would call back sometime later. Maybe she tried out her new lawn mower this weekend!

Neighbor Virginia and Jimmi Ann's irises.

The new little lorapetalum by the fence corner. They grow pretty fast. Neighbor Joe said if they're trimmed occasionally they make fuller shrubs. I just want it to fill up this corner and give it some color. I think it'll be pretty against the gray fence.

Mama's Plant That I Water Faithfully. I think it's a split leaf philodendron. It's putting out roots again and I've read that you should take care cutting them off - the sap can cause contact dermatitis. Elsewhere, someone said this is a poisonous plant! Did not know that. Thankfully, Oscar has never been a digger, and Bitty leaves it alone, too. I think it can be set outside in the summer and I may do that - morning sun but not afternoon. The patio will be perfect for it since it's mostly shaded all day.

Quiet Weekend

The bad weather I anticipated Saturday was not too bad after all, but it was pretty cold. I went to Walmart for a few things and got the grocery shopping done Friday evening, thinking we'd be rained in yesterday. But it was pleasant most of the day and I just putzed around and didn't go anywhere.

Paul has been sick with cold/fever all weekend and was inside except one function he had previously committed to. I washed feather pillows and it takes them a looong time to dry in the dryer. I had to find my tennis balls to put in with them so they'd fluff the feathers. All the bed linen washing took extra time and I've just caught up with laundry after Sunday School. Stephanie came by after SS and picked up five Stinger annuals she needed to borrow for a slide presentation she's doing at school. I won't say for for since it may be a surprise... Paul has all the annuals from 1968 - 2001.

Last night I watched one of several old movies I've recorded on the DVR - "It Happened One Night," which I've intended to watch for years. I'd finished watching "part 2" of "Teacher's Pet" recently and Clark Gable was in both, twenty-five years' difference in the making of the movies. I guess to me he will always be Rhett Butler. Doris Day was in "Pet," and I've always liked her "sunniness" and breath-ey laugh.

We were back up in attendance in SS this morning. I didn't get up in time to go to church service and didn't stay for second service. Good lesson - Beth Moore on the Patriarchs in the Old Testament, this morning about Abraham.

Sher and I talked yesterday and Amy called to apologize for being a "bad daughter." She's so bad. Not! She's been on call three nights this week and missed her day off this week as well. If she isn't working, she's trying to catch up on sleep. She's scheduled to be off next weekend and plans to go to Iuka with us. I know we'll be running/visiting, but that's the nature of going home. Brother Steve called me yesterday, too, and said yesterday (the 28th) was his granddaughter Kiley's second birthday! I'll send her a card a bit late... Steve's probably going to go to Texas sometime next month to visit, then travel down to around Brownsville. I told him not to go to Mexico or much nearer the border!

In spite of the cool weather yesterday, I donned my coat and earmuffs and took some pictures in the back yard, and walked Oscar about 4:00.

And Melanie had sent pictures of Nate riding his bike without training wheels!

More...

Sher sent me this little fellow. He's a Fern Animal (www.fernanimals.com) made by Ashley Anna Brown. Sher knows I love cats. I think Sher and Amy both had seen this site and talked about it when sister was in Memphis back in early winter. Thank you, Seester!

While I was at Walmart, Polly Fisher brought by a loaf of fresh homemade bread. She's so thoughtful and dedicated! She's been making bread for years and it's always melt-in-your-mouth delicious. It won't last a day. There was also a small bottle of lotion which I can definitely use - always needing that size in my vehicle or carry-around bag. Thanks, Polly!

I got Corky's BBQ at Walmart and we had that for supper. Walked Oscar - nice to be outside. Very windy though. Studied my SS lesson. I finished folding clothes and putting away what Tina had done earlier in the week. Catch-up day. I moved the rocking chair in the den, took down some small framed pictures and stored them, took magazines out of Mama's basket (and asked Paul to see if he could repair the handle), bought some CD storage containers to clean a few out of the Ruby Buffet. I'm thinking about just switching storage places with craft things to the buffet and CDs in the craft closet so I can have it as a work table. (Of course, covering the top of that beautiful old piece of furniture.) I'll see how that goes. Didn't even have a nap today. I was craving a cherry Dr. Pepper so I got one at Sonic but didn't drink the whole thing - too much caffeine - and sugar. But I don't think I'll have much trouble going to sleep - haven't really slowed down today.

Yikes! The striking clock just reminded me! It's Daylight Saving Weekend - Spring Forward - and lose an hour's sleep!

Good night, Gracie...

Snow

It was forecast and we got it - a frosting of snow, wet and slushy, though. The forsythia, which had just begun its yellow spring dress, was overlaid with a shawl of lacy white.

I wonder if Iuka got snow? I'll ask Mama Nick when I call her. She's like a little kid when it comes to snow, especially snow cream. If there's any way possible for her to go outside and scoop it up, she will have a bowlful of snow to make her snow cream. When there's plenty of snow, she makes enough to put in the freezer!

We went to Barbara Garner's visitation last night. Larry and I spoke and I stood with him for a few minutes and watched the picture slideshow with him and Wanda and O. D. Walker. (He and Wanda are first cousins I learned.) Later when he saw Paul, he asked where I was. I don't know if he remembered talking to me. I can see how he wouldn't. There were so many people there, friends, family and co-workers (who are like family). We stayed about 45 minutes. It breaks my heart to have to go, but I do. Larry and I have worked "together" for over 30 years; they're like my brothers and sisters. I've helped them with lots of paperwork, but beneath the paper and ink is the heartbeat of being connected through time, work, shared experiences, friendships... I talked with their daughter Tammy for several minutes and told her how upbeat they both always were. She said they always had been and had raised their family to be the same way. They were blessed with great parents.

Today I slept until 9:30, which is very late for me. I woke around 2:00, couldn't sleep, read a while. Back to sleep finally, but woke up unrested. I let Oscar out, fed him, ate breakfast myself. Paul was at the coffee shop. I washed some clothes, finally took a shower, studied my Sunday School lesson, and Paul and I ate some lunch. He'd waxed his car in the garage this morning after he got home from Kelley's. The mail had run and my "Where Women Create" and "Artul Blogging" had come. (Somerset publications.) I took them to bed with me, looked at one till I got really sleepy and then took a three-hour nap. I woke feeling better this time. What is it about the light glowing through the sheers in the bedroom, snuggling under the cover fully dressed in jeans and sweatshirt, that just about insures a great nap? I wish I could sleep that well at night.

Amy called on her way home from work and was on the bridge. She was just awed by how beautiful the snow looked on the trees, bridge and along the river, with the bridge lights in the distance, and along the bank. By this time the light was beginning to wane, so I'm sure it had that "gloamy" look about it, a fairlyland appearance.

So my projects for the day are still waiting: getting through a mountain of paper and filing or shredding it, cleaning out the refrigerator, and putting Mama's pictures in an album. Well, they've been there and will be there until next time I get the urge to do something about them!

Today was a "snow" day.

Saturday

First! Happy Birthday, Morgan - my beautiful niece - here with brother Benjamin, my handsome nephew. (I think she looks like Ann Margaret!)

The day started off cold and rainy. I ventured out for a haircut, then Paul and I got the light fixture put up in the kitchen. I held out and held it up pretty well; but if we need another fixture there, it will be something simpler! But the light! It's so bright again and especially with one eye seeing white-whites and color-colors. I may actually have to deep clean in there!

After doing little things around the house I lay down for a nap, under Mama's afghan, and Oscar cozied up next to me. He's a great foot warmer, or back warmer. When I woke about an hour and a half later, the sun was out. So I invited Paul to go with me to Walmart and he did. I always like when he goes - he's a good loader/unloader and makes all that transporting easier. As well as company - we discuss types of cheese to buy, whether a Marie Callender Chicken Pot Pie will be good for dinner, the price of Cokes - important things like that.

I did a swap with him - if he'd unload from the truck and take it all in, I'd put it up, plus I'd walk Oscar. It was a deal. O and I walked over to school. He's about got the meaning of the word "car" when I call it out as one approaches. We get on the shoulder of the road and "stay" till it goes by. He has no idea what traffic could do. I shudder. Anyway, it was a nice, brisk, crisp walk around primary school and back. And Paul had put everything away when I got home!

I heated leftovers from John B's (McCrory's to eat last night). He had ordered pork tenderloin and we expected, oh, three or four round "dollars" but it was a whole pork tenderloin about the size I'd cook for us that would last through dinner and a couple of BBQs! Wow! He had eaten about half last night, and had the rest tonight. I had my chicken pilaf and corn casserole again, and there's still enough for another meal.

We're going to Amy's tomorrow after church. She had called - this was her long 3-day weekend - and had caught up on her sleep. She'd called twice and left messages; I figured it was time for her to have Mom and Dad over, so we invited ourselves. Of course, we'll take her somewhere to eat.

Talked to Sher earlier this morning; she was nearly on base and headed to the gym for the treadmill workout. She'd finally got to give Bailey a bath; he's taking medicine for a yeast infection and should have a bath twice a week. Okaaaay... He's twice the size of Oskie and Sher hasn't tried the trick of getting in the tub with him yet. Who knew dogs have yeast infection? His back looked as if he had dandruff, and it's yeast, the vet said.

Mike was to return to the doctor yesterday about his wrist, but I haven't heard what he said about continuing therapy, returning to work... Mike asked me earlier this week when we're "coming home." We need to go sometime soon.

Eye doing great. Last night wasn't the best - night lights/head lights. I'm sure everything being noticeably unfocused was extra worrisome, too. But my eye hasn't been as "tired" as it was a couple days last week. No air blowing in it; not on computer so much either. The "sharpness" of the vision seems to be improving daily.

Bitty hanging out on the back of a chair... She's way overdue for a brushing out and there is a huge wad on her chest I'll have to cut off... Oscar is one thing to groom - she is quite another... She doesn't appreciate or enjoy it.

Oscar with one of his "babies." I had put all his babies up off the floor so I could vacuum and next time I looked, he'd gotten them all off the little stool in the kitchen and had dragged his blankie into his kennel, lying on it. But here he's in my lap, listening with great interest to the car auction on Speed with Paul.

As I was putting a pillow case on my "knee" pillow, I noticed it is threadbare; it's already frayed around the opening. This is one I use constantly and Mama Nick had done this zigzag stitching around the hem years ago. I'm not sure how I happen to have this; maybe it was a gift at some time. This time I didn't put it back on the pillow. Mama Nick is 90 and at one time she was able to sew and do things like this. I don't have much of her handiwork - actually this may be it. (I have a couple of quilts her mother, Mother Ruth, had pieced and some of the pieces I remember in dresses Mama Nick wore. So this goes in the linen closet now. Heirloom: a family possession handed down from generation to generation. Heir: a person ... inheriting the tradition, talent, etc., of a predecessor. Loom: the art or the process of weaving. Her sewing machine; her creativity. The green thread on the white pillow case... Her hands... Her gift...

Saturday

A beautiful day here and a full one... Hairjazz for a trim. Trip to Wal-Mart. Seems to be a regular occurrence and I was going to try to avoid that today. I made soup for whenever we decided to eat. Did laundry and as I folded clothes, watched the last half of "The Shop Around the Corner" with James Stewart and Margaret Sullivan. This is the story "You've Got Mail" is based on. Last night I also watched the last part of a movie with Judy Garland and Van Johnson (who at times sounded so much like Stewart) in "In the Good Old Summer Time," which is yet another version. All very good movies, Christmas-time themes.

This afternoon I drove to Caldwell, picked Carolyn up, and we went back to Colt to Mollie and Wesley Davis's open house. It was wonderful - they have a beautiful home and so many family members and friends there to celebrate. Gracious host and hostess. Kevin Turner taxied most of the visitors from Ted and Dorma's back up the hill and the driveway because of easier access and not much parking space for all the cars. There were quite a few parked in Ted and Dorma's yard! Very nice and thoughtful. Beautiful home so well planned and furnished, new, yet felt so comfortable.

Paul went to Earle and rode in their parade, which he had committed to earlier, and had a good time there. He started to take Oscar, but wanted to visit with the folks more and if he'd taken O, would have had to stay with/in the truck.

Oscar and I walked just at dusk - knee and ankle hurt some, but I tolerated it just to get out and walk - and he enjoyed getting out. As we were coming home, the whole southwestern sky was a beautiful pastel lavendar-blue-orange-sherbet color backlighting the Lee's house which had Christmas lights on. I got the camera and went back for pictures and succeeded to an extent, but it was nothing like when we first turned down the street on the way home. Will teach me to go off without my camera!

Oscar was a tired little puppy. This is Total Trust. O would be so embarrassed! Pardon the jammies. (Another pair of Mama's.)