Weekend Spent in Bus Terminal in Washington, DC - Pt. 1 July 31. 2007

Sometime in the 1940s I was asked by my Piano Teacher to be Maid of Honor at her wedding.  Before you think a Piano Teacher must be an older woman this one was just five years older than me and I was just nineteen.  Well, of course I was thrilled to be asked and said "yes" with no questions asked. 
 
I had a Piano Lesson once a week and each week I hoped she would tell me a little about the wedding.  Finally after three lessons she asked me if I was ready for a wedding.  I again said "yes".  This time I asked some questions like when is the wedding, where is the wedding,  details please.  It turned out the wedding was in two weeks and it was to be in Camp Lee, Virginia.  The Groom was an Officer there. 
 
Woe is me, what have I gotten myself into?  I had to be fitted for a gown, she wanted me to wear blue. I was and still am not a good traveler.  How would I ever get to Camp Lee, Virginia?  Well, the Bride to be told me her Mother and the Aunt of the Groom were going down on the train and I should go with them.  OK that sounds good but they were not coming back right after the wedding - planning to stay for a week.  I had to be back to go to work on Monday morning. 
 
Check basicallybetty.com tomorrow for the rest of the story.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
 
 



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Basically Betty  Tuesday, July 31. 2007 @ 12:48

Little Bit of nothing and not much of anything.... July 27. 2007

A while back I told you about the seasons up here.  Well, I am living through still another season.  The Thunder and Lightning Season.  The last two days you would think there was a Bowling Alley out my back door.  There is that echo again. 
 
The word reverberate was coined to describe thunder storms in the mountains of North Carolina.  You will hear in the East and then suddenly it makes it's way around the horn and comes from the West. 
 
The next little bit of nothing I have to report is the storms interfere with my Tampa Bay Ray games.  Everyone up here has a Satellite Dish attached to their home or business.  Bill and Joann have one on their home.  Bill got the games for me.  Win or lose I am with the Rays.  Tonight when the game first came on wouldn't you know the daily Thunder Storm got lost somewhere along the way and did not make it to Pisgah Forest until game time.  Well, the picture looked like a jig saw puzzle assembled and someone came along and hit the table holding it and each piece separated.  An announcement came on that they were searching for the Signal.  O.K. they finally found the signal but we still lost the game.
 
Oh yes, I want to tell you about another tree in the back 40 here.  It was maybe as tall as three of me at one time but it is bent over at least half way (are you thinking I am describing myself). Glad to disappoint you there really is such a tree.  I am thinking they made a Tarzan movie right here many years ago and
Johnny Weismuller swung to the wrong tree.  This tree must have been a very young tree at the time and just could not stand up under Tarzan's weight and strength. 
 
Well, there you have it.  A little bit of nothing and not much of anything.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, July 27. 2007 @ 22:04

Echo-o-o-o-o-o-o July 26. 2007

 Today was a perfect day to stay in and work on a project you have been putting off for months (maybe even years).
Well, while Joann and Bill worked on that project I just watched my usual programs on TV and listened to the thunder that rolled all around from east to west and north to south.  So I listened and the thunder would sound like it was coming from one part of the sky and what I would hear close by must have been an echo. 
 
Well, I hear the thunder and the echo but I never see any lightning.  I am not complaining because I sure don't like to see lightning.  It must hit somewhere because there are trees down in the woods that must have been hit during one of the many storms.  As a matter of fact there is one in the back yard here that is leaning.  Everything up here is just as God wants it.  A person can't improve on that.
 
If you hear an echo you will know where it came from.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, July 26. 2007 @ 20:52

My Day in Court July 25. 2007

   
Just finished watching Judge Judy and the whole Court thing reminds me of when I was a witness in a Divorce Case in the late 1940s
 
One of my dearest friends, at least 15 years older than me, was having problems in her marriage.  She asked me to ride along with her when she followed her husband and sure enough we found him with the other woman. 
 
My friend made sure her husband saw us.  This made me eligible to be a witness.  Comes the day of the trial you would think I was on trial for some awful crime because I was so nervous.  Both Lawyers asked questions but the evidence was too strong in my friends favor and the Judge declared the divorce granted.
 
I was also called for Jury Duty at one time but when they interviewed me they said I would not make a good Juror.  I did meet a lovely Lady there from the French Riviera.  She had to be a Citizen of the United States to be called for Jury Duty though I am sure. 
 
Watching Judge Judy is the extent of my interest in ever being in another Court Room. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, July 25. 2007 @ 19:46

SLEEPLESS IN PISGAH FOREST July 23. 2007

I was up from 1:30 to 4:30 AM this morning.  I passed the time playing Free Cell and Solitaire on the computer.  Back to bed at 4:30 and I slept until 1 PM this afternoon.  My Mom used to say days and nights were mixed up but she was referring to a baby.  I don't know what reason I have for the mix up in sleeping time.  
 
I sure don't know how I will sleep tonight after watching the Rays and Yankees game.  I am glad the Rays are off tomorrow because I don't want to watch a baseball game again for at least a day.
 
One pleasantry came with this week end.  I had calls from three of my Florida Church friends.  What a joy to hear from them.  I miss them and am so glad we keep in touch. 
 
Also had a call from younger Daughter Becky.   She is planning a trip to Italy.  I hope she does not decide to move there.  Living on the other side of the U.S. is far enough - but another country.  
 
Well, hopefully I will get out tomorrow and have something interesting to relate to you all. 
 
Bill is Volunteering tomorrow so Joann and I will go to town and of course stop and say oink to the little piggies.  I hope we can go around lunch time because I think the deer smell the food cooking in the homes on the way down and come out of the woods hoping to get lunch. 
 
Oh, coming up the mountain Friday I had the window open in the car to wave to the Piglets and I just left it down all the way up the mountain to the house and with my head almost out the window I asked Joann what that wonderful odor was?  Her answer:  Fresh Air Mom!
 
Hopefully I will get out for some more of that fresh air tomorrow and have some really interesting tales to tell when next we meet.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, July 23. 2007 @ 10:44

Let the Dust Settle July 20. 2007

I can hear you now saying "what does she mean let the dust settle?"  Well, my Mom used to dust the whole house room by room on Friday.  Her thinking she told me was to have our home bright and shiny clean in case company dropped in over the weekend.   Me, I just dust when I see that it needs to be done.   
 
Oh yes, she washed (or in Ohio they say worshed) on Monday, ironed on Tuesday,  She ironed everything on a funny looking thing called a Mangle. 
 
Mom was a great cook.  Her Sisters were good cooks also.  My Daughter Joann is a very good cook and proved it today at noon. She brought down what she called a HoBo burger.  It was delicious.  She watched someone on TV make them yesterday and decided to try them on Bill and me.  I know for sure the next company that comes for a meal will be served a HoBo burger. 
 
My younger Daughter Becky, when she has time, is also a good cook.  I think her speciality is Italian food.  Both girls get their cooking expertise from their Father and of course, their Grandmother. 
 
If anyone out there is interested in the HoBo burger recipe let me know.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, July 20. 2007 @ 14:33

Trip into Town turns into a Safari July 18. 2007

It was over a week since I had been out of my home.  Don't misunderstand me, I love my home but I also love the outdoors.  So Joann, to save me from going Stir Crazy, took me with her to get more beads.  Of course I needed a few items from the Grocery.  It was a beautiful sunny day but when it came time to leave, you guessed it, rain.  At each stop I stayed in the car while Joann did the shopping.
 
So now it's time to head for home.  At the bottom of our road is the Pig Farm.  I have told you about it many times.  The Mama Pig was out at the fence facing the road and the ten little piglets were close to the door of the barn.  There was another full grown pig out watching the little ones.  I thought it might be the Papa Pig.  Well, Joann pulled off the road so we could watch them.  The ten little ones were playful with the exception of two and they were fighting with each other.  The one that I think is Papa Pig was trying to keep them apart but finally gave up in despair.  We did too because the rain really came down so we headed for home.
 
About half way up the road home we saw two Deer.  They scattered when they saw us.  They went into the woods but we could see them even though they do blend in with the surroundings.  Later Bill went down the road to see if the Deer were still around and he saw a Deer and a Fawn.  I would love to have seen that.  Maybe another time.
 
So I had an outing and saw the Pigs and the Deer. What a perfect day.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, July 18. 2007 @ 13:11

Plane Story #3 July 16. 2007

This story is two fold:  the first part is about my Grandson James and the second part the plane sighting my neighbor Elizabeth and I experienced one day while sitting on our front patio.
 
James traveled extensively with his Mom and Dad and Sister Veronica when he was quite young.  This may have peaked his interest in planes.  Early on he was most interested in the English Concord.  All of my friends and neighbors knew of this interest.  One gentleman that lived at the end of my row flew on the Concord and when he returned home gave me the kit that is given to all passengers flying on this super jet.  It was in a leather zipper case and contained items to make the trip a pleasant and comfortable one.  James was thrilled to receive it and treasurers it still today.
 
OK now Elizabeth and I were sitting out one very hot afternoon.  The apartments in this complex are just two stories and it is has four sides of apartments and a Court Yard and beautiful pool in the center. 
We were chatting away when I spotted the biggest plane I had ever seen.  It looked like it was going to take the roof off the apartments  across the way. 
There was no one around to prove that we saw this but it came out in the paper the next day that the Queen of England had arrived yesterday on the Concord.  It landed in Tampa International Airport.  Elizabeth and I were so excited but no one believed us that we actually saw the plane that close. 
 
I think my brain is stuck on planes because writing this reminds me of three other plane experiences I have had.  Don't worry I will get onto current events again and save the plane stories for a rainy day.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, July 16. 2007 @ 09:28

Plane Story #2 July 14. 2007

 This goes back to when Joann and Becky were in school.  Becky was in Elementary and Joann in Jr. High School, now known as Middle School. 
 
I called them at the usual time to get up for school.  They never wanted breakfast, just a glass of orange juice or a slice of toast.  Neither one came out of their bedroom so I went in again and told them it was time to get up. 
 
After the third trip into their room I told them if they did not get up immediately they would be late for school.  Neither stirred so I told them "I am not going to call you again" and out I went to fix my breakfast. 
 
Five minutes later a plane went over that I thought took the roof off of our home.  Both girls came running out to the kitchen and asked "what was that?" my answer "I don't know but I hope to arrange for it to go over every school day" morning.  We learned later on the News that it was a Supersonic Jet going into McDill.  The first of many.
 
One more Plane Story and then I promise to get back to current events.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Saturday, July 14. 2007 @ 15:46

First of three Plane stories July 14. 2007

Today, July 13th, was a very quiet day.  Joann and Bill went into town at noon and did not return until about 4:30.  So what do I do when I am here all alone?  Well, I check outside to see if we have any visitors (a Bear, Deer, White Squirrels, Humming Birds, or any of the many different birds that stop in from time to time)
 
If all is quiet in the Outback I might read the paper but today I heard a plane going over and this got my memory into high gear.  In Florida we lived in the flight path of McDill Air Force Base and we heard planes all day long coming and going.  One day one of the Fighter Planes on a training mission crashed in Tampa Bay.  The Pilot ejected and strapped into his Parachute, he landed in a tree on the bank of Tampa Bay.  Well, all the emergency vehicles went by our home to get to the site of the crash and so we went down to see what had happened.  The Lady that lived where he landed was out talking with him when we got there.  He had asked her to call McDill and tell them he was alright.  
 
The Coast Guard came and got him down with the help of the Fire Department Ladder.   Oh, the plane, it's nose was buried in the sand of the Bay and it's tail was out of the water. 
 
I have two more Airplane stories to tell you - tune in tomorrow for the next  one.
Basically Betty  Saturday, July 14. 2007 @ 14:32

Patience is a Virtue We Don't Have July 12. 2007

Remember my telling you earlier this week that the Humming Bird feeder had to be moved?  Well, Joann and Bill did move it from the tree limb which sways with the breeze, because they thought it scared the little ones away, to a post that is anchored in the ground. 
 
We were all too busy today to sit out even though it was a beautiful day and no rain.  I was fixing my lunch in my kitchen when Joann and Bill came down the steps and shouting in a whisper "look out the door Mom".  Well, there was a Humming Bird but he was looking for the feeder where it used to be on the tree limb.  What to do?  If we had gone out and directed him to the new location of the feeder he would have gone up the road for his meal.  The little dear looked all around and finally saw the red and yellow feeder hanging on the pole and flew right over there and proceeded to eat his lunch, I should say drank his lunch. 
 
Their little throats can't  handle anything but liquids.  You might say to compensate for not being able to eat anything God made sure there was Nectar in the flowers and that probably serves as their dessert.
 
You can be sure I will be looking out the door tomorrow as I eat my lunch in the hope that Flutter Wings comes by.  Maybe he will bring a friend.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
Basically Betty  Thursday, July 12. 2007 @ 21:54

JOKER'S WILD July 11. 2007

Maybe I mentioned this before.  We have been wanting to learn to play Canasta.  I played it years ago so how to play is buried in the archives of my mind. 
 
When our friend Elaine came to visit yesterday the second question I asked her was "do you play Canasta"?  Her answer "I have not played it in years."
 
So I went to my computer and put the word Canasta in the browser and out came all the rules and instructions on how to play the game.
 
 Elaine, Joann and I sat down with the instructions and played one hand.  Guess who won?  You have heard of beginners luck.  Yep Joann won.
 
Being a poor loser I got Bill to take my place at the table.  They are still at it melding all over the place.  Now when Ron and Sue come over we will be able to show off what card sharks we are.  
 
Yesterday we took Elaine onto the Campus of Brevard College looking for white Squirrels.  Becky suggested we keep a stock of seeds or nuts in the car to feed them instead of the bread we had been taking.  It worked because the tiniest little squirrel came clear over to the car and we threw seeds to him and he really enjoyed them and begged for more.  
 
Another sight we saw that I must tell you about -- at the Pig Farm it was dinner time for the new litter.  There was Mama Pig feeding her nine little Piglets.  I am sorry to say Joann's camera had a dead battery so we could not get a picture of this show of Motherly love.  
 
For a change we had rain today but for about an hour the sun came out and we made a bee line for Peaceful Place.  Still no sighting of Humming Birds but there was a Blue Jay and he was good enough to spill some of his food on the ground for the squirrels.
 
I hope you all saw the All Star game last evening.  Our Carl Crawford got a home run.  That was exciting.  The Rays play New York tomorrow evening.  I sure hope the fans give Carl the honor he deserves for putting us on the map.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
Basically Betty  Wednesday, July 11. 2007 @ 19:47

Moving Day July 9. 2007

That's right moving day at the Carroll/Leone residence.  Remember the Humming Bird Feeder that Annie Oakley hung on a tree limb in full view of Peaceful Place?  Well, nary a Humming Bird has stopped by for a meal.  By the way, their meals come in liquid form.  This has been very discouraging for Joann because she has a thing for Humming Birds.  Everyone else in the neighborhood has been swamped with these little creatures. 
 
Our friend Barb told Bill to get the Feeder down from the tree and put it on a post so that it is not swaying in the breeze .  There goes Bill on that ladder again.   She also told him of a liquid that is sure to bring them back everyday for their meal of the day. 
 
Everything in my little abode is shining because we are ready for company tomorrow.  A friend who now lives in Chattanooga but we knew her from St. Petersburg way back in the 60s. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, July 9. 2007 @ 18:10

Thoughts Present and Past July 8. 2007

 
  
Opened the doors this noon and the sun was shining brightly and the Day Lilies already responding to their wake up call.  This reminds me of when I was very young my Mom had a garden of beautiful flowers.   Among them were Four O'Clocks.  I don't know what they did at 4 AM but at 4 PM they were in full bloom and oh so pretty.  How did they know it was 4 O'Clock?
 
While we are on the subject of 4 o'clock and visiting memory lane I want to tell you about a dear neighbor I had while living in a condo on Tampa Bay.  She was in her 90s but bright as a new dollar.  Our front doors backed up to each other.  Every afternoon about one she would knock on my door and say "Do you want to do some porch sitting"? Out I would go.  We were only allowed to have two porch chairs out front so I would take one of my chairs over by her because I knew our third porch sitter would be along shortly to occupy my next door neighbor's second chair.  We were known as the EBB's that's short for Elizabeth, Bea and Betty. 
 
Now here is where the 4 o'clock comes in - it's another nature thing.
There would be a bit of a breeze come along and in the summer time it would be most welcome but in the winter we would know it was time to go in.  Good thing because it was time to start supper. 
 
Memories like this attest to the fact that I am truly blessed.  I thank God every day for a devoted and loving family and a host of wonderful friends.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, July 8. 2007 @ 12:54

7/7/07 That says it all July 6. 2007

                              
 
Don't they say 7 is a lucky number?  I prefer even numbers.  Maybe because I was born in an even month and an even year.  The day is an odd number but two out of three isn't bad.  I wanted to say ain't bad but I just could not bring myself to do it.
 
Got some good news earlier this week -- Cousins from Orlando are coming for a visit early in September.  Hopefully we can do the sightseeing tour.  There is so much to see here. 
 
The other news we had rain today.  Still raining and I hear thunder out there.  Spoiled the afternoon 
visit to Peaceful Place.  Oh well, maybe tomorrow. 
 
I will drop in again - hope you will be there.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, July 6. 2007 @ 19:32
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