Joann, take a letter August 30. 2007

If you've missed hearing from me, there's a good reason.  I'm spending a few days in the hospital.  In fact, I'm dictating this from my hospital bed.  The nurses and attendants here are super. 

One young man who brought me from the ER to my room, named Richard, had a distinct southern accent.  I asked him if he was local and he said he'd been born here and lived in almost every part of the county.  I asked him why he kept his hair so short and his response was, "it's short, sweet, and snappy". 

Then there's the lady named Claudia who draws my blood at 6 AM.  She's a true Southern lady - very prim and proper with a very deep accent.  She's very good at her job, because getting blood from me is like getting blood from a turnip. 

There are Hollis, Lisa, and Sonya, who take very good care of me.  One aide told Joann she's seen me somewhere and Joann told her I look like Barbara Bush.  She immediately said "That's it!  She really does." 

I must tell you about my doctor.  He's one of a kind, believe me.  He rides a bicycle from home to the hospital and from the hospital to his office, about 10 miles.  He wears athletic shoes and he calls them 'pedal pushers.' He's definitely a country doctor because there's no resemblance to the city ones I'm used to.  He comes to the office in corduroy pants and colorful shirts.  No white coat for him, but he does have white hair. 

This hospital I'm in is the only one in the County.  A lot like Largo Medical because of the private rooms.  The entire room, including full bath, would fit in my closet at home.  The rooms might be small, but the care is big and that's what's important. 

I have dictated this to my 'secretary' which will be the norm until I get back to my computer. 

Love and Prayers From Here to There

Basically Betty  Thursday, August 30. 2007 @ 18:05

The Dome was Orange Today, and Yesterday and the Day Before August 26. 2007

Do you know why the Dome was Orange for those three days?  Because my Rays won three games in a row.  All three games were exciting.  All the players played like they do belong in the Bigs. They play in Chicago next just for one make up game.  Hope they win there.
 
You know how they say you learn something new every day?  Well, I am not sure that is the case with me but today I did learn something.  I wanted to get out and get some fresh air this afternoon but the weather made that impossible with another noisy and power out storm.  Bill came to the rescue probably at Joann's suggestion.  He was going to grill some chicken for dinner so he came and got me and I sat in the garage while he was cooking.  James saw that I was cold so came in and got me a throw from the sofa. 
 
Oh yes what was the knowledge I acquired today?  I asked Bill if he was not concerned that the Deer might smell the food cooking and come into the garage.   He informed me that Deer are vegetarians and would not bother with chicken.  He also noted that is the reason Deer are so lean.  Now the Black Bear is another story.  But he must have been too far away to smell the food cooking.  I am glad for that.
 
So, even though the weather made going out and about today impossible, the alternative plan proved both informative and pleasant. 
 
Hope your day was a pleasant one too.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
 
Basically Betty  Sunday, August 26. 2007 @ 23:08

Sleepless in Pisgah Forest August 24. 2007

Went to bed at 1 AM, woke up at 4 AM and have been up ever since.  That's today - Thursday.  It has worked out well though because I ate breakfast at 4:30 and started the pill brigade right after so I would be able to go out and get some fresh air when the sun came up. 
 
Going out was very pleasant today because James came down at noon and asked me if I would go to lunch with he and his Mom.  He said to be ready by 2:30 (he knew I wanted to see the Soap at 12:30 to 1:30).  I, of course, said yes.
 
At 2:30 on the dot the car drove up with James at the wheel.  It is the first time he had driven down the driveway on the side of the house.  There is a sharp turn when you come to the end of the house with the house on one side and a drop off of several feet on the other side.  Joann and Bill have the trip down to pick me up so that they could do it blind folded.  Oh did I mention that you have to back up all the way to the front drive way?  Well, I was concerned but James made the trip down and back up with no problem like maybe he had been picking Nana up every day. 
 
If you are wondering where Bill was, he had to work today on his new job.
 
Time out for an electrical storm that left me in the dark but thankful that I had saved this much of the story. 
 
So we went to our favorite eating place, the Fish Camp, and had lunch and since it was not the usual lunch hour the place was nearly empty and very quiet and pleasant.  I had my usual Catfish and as always we had an order of Onion Rings.  Well fed and feeling fine we decided to go shopping.  We did not have anything special to buy but do you believe we bought several candles.  I think the Lord wanted us to have light when the power went off this evening because he knows I don't like being in the dark. 
 
So, now that everything is quiet I am going to call it a night.  Oh but before I do I must tell you another pleasantry about today.  I had a phone call from my dear friend Adith.  We must have talked for an hour.  At times we were both talking because we had so much to say.    After comparing notes about this and that we both felt better and laughed a lot before saying good night and planning our next phone visit. 
 
Now for sure I am going to say goodnight and off to bed I go.  I want to allow extra time for prayers tonight because I have so much to be thankful for. 
 
We will meet tomorrow, OK?
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
Basically Betty  Friday, August 24. 2007 @ 12:57

Report on calls from the two T's August 21. 2007

Tennessee first because it came in first.  This call was from a dear friend that we knew from Covenant Church in the late 60s or early 70s.  She came from the same part of the country as we did.  She came from W. Va. and we came from just across the river in Ohio.
 
She was a Realtor in Florida and sold two of our homes.  She visited us recently for three days and we had a delightful time reminiscing about the old days.  She and I both worked in the Church office as volunteers and became fast friends. 
 
She told me they need rain so in Chattanooga that she is about to lose her lawn.  To protect the flowering plants she has in her yard (the landscaping is beautiful) she puts umbrellas over them during the heat of the day.  Now how could you help but like a person that does a thing like that?
 
The next call came from Texas.  The caller was another dear friend who recently moved to Texas from St. Pete, well really Seminole.  We went to Lake Seminole Presbyterian Church together.  We served on several committees.  She was the subject of "Who Am I" because she had such an  interesting life having served in the Waves during World War II.  She is still volunteering  her services to a Senior group making hand made articles for a sale. 
 
We have a common interest in the Rays Baseball team and they enter into our conversation and e-mail on a regular basis.  Win or lose we are Rays Fans.
 
Terry has a loving family and is grateful that she is able to help out whenever needed.  Her Grandson is the apple of her eye and she of his. 
 
So those are the phone calls for Sunday past.  I am so blessed to have a loving family and a host of wonderful friends.  Till next time bye for now.
 
Love and Prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Tuesday, August 21. 2007 @ 18:47

AT&T Stock ended up on the Plus Side today August 19. 2007

Why?  Because I had five phone calls today.  Two from Seattle, one from Arizona, one from Tennessee, one from Texas. 
 
I am going to tell you about the first three to be posted to my Web site today the last two will be on tomorrow.
 
Call from Seattle was from my younger Daughter Becky.  She wanted to tell me she was going to participate in a Triathlon, just the swimming part, she would swim 1/2 mile in a Lake with the water registering 65 degrees.  The high temp. was to be 67 in Seattle today.  And, it was pouring down cold rain all the way. 
 
At this point I tried to get a word in like "no, please don't do that".   As she was hanging up I heard her say "if I don't die of Hypothermia I will call you on the way home."
 
So the second call came and she did make it.  She told me she was going home to take a hot shower and get into bed.  And that is when I told her to make sure she covered herself with Vicks.  I will just bet you she did not even take the lid off the jar of Vicks. 
 
Now for the third call, from Phoenix.  This was from an old friend (she is not old but the friendship is).  She was moving to our town from her home town (a small town down the river) and needed a place to stay.  Her gentleman friend was a friend of my Husband's so we fixed up the spare room for her.  She was a delight and used to help clean our home every week.  She even cleaned the oven. 
While she was with us our Becky was born.  Came the day I was ready to go to the hospital to deliver and she called my Husband to come home to take me.  He was at work and we did not have Pagers, or Phones that you carry in your pocket so locating him on the job was no easy task. Lucky that I remembered the name of the folks he was working for that day and they got the message to him.  He got home plenty fast but when I told him I thought it was time to go he told me he had to take a shower and clean up.  OK that's what he did.  Next came my Mom and I told her I thought I had better get to the hospital NOW and she said "I will hurry and change"
 
Joann was staying home with Aunt Kate, another dear friend. 
 
My friend came home from work and got everything together and made sure all those going to the hospital with me were squeaky clean and away we went.  It turned out Becky was born late evening.  The expression on her face said it all
"I am going home, take a shower, and go to bed"
 
Oh, the reason for my friends call was to wish me a Happy Birthday.  She calls every year on birthdays (she was a little late this year but that's OK) and on holidays. 
 
Tomorrow will be report on calls from Tennessee and Texas.  See you then.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
 
Basically Betty  Sunday, August 19. 2007 @ 21:28

T. G. I. F. August 18. 2007

To borrow an expression from my Mom "I am a little behind in my knittin" and for that reason this will not go to press until tomorrow (Saturday).  Why am I "behind in my knittin"?  I have been bemoaning the fact that I have not seen the Rays play for two days.  On Wednesday they played at 1 PM, and even though Bill had given me the schedule of games on TV for the week and it was listed as 1 PM I missed it.  They were off on Thursday.  Can you imagine what I will be like when the season ends. 
 
Another expression my Mom used a lot - I would ask her how she felt and her answer was always "with my fingers".  She was in Ill health as far back as I can remember.  Her health never stopped her from being a super Mom.
 
So I watched the game tonight and even though we lost 2-1 just seeing my Team has made my day.  I may even sleep better tonight.
 
It was another beautiful day here.  No rain.  The temperature hovered around 80 all day but it was much hotter down off the mountain according to the news. 
 
Hope to get to Church Sunday.  Have not been there since Mother's Day and  things don't work right when I don't get to Church on Sunday.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Saturday, August 18. 2007 @ 09:46

Celebration in Pisgah Forest August 15. 2007

 Have not been in touch for a day or so and it is not that I am at a loss for words but I don't know what order in which to put each event that took place this past week end.  Each event was of such magnitude.  Let me try it this way:
 
Friday, August 10, 2007
 
Guests had already arrived to help celebrate the birthday shared by V and J and me.  But they did not know, nor did I, that we would be celebrating other than birthdays.
 
Bill, my Son-in-Law, was sworn in as a Detention Officer with the Sheriff's Dept. His Mother was here for the other celebrations and was thrilled to be able to witness the swearing in.  V's Godmother was here and attended as well as J and my Daughter.  My Granddaughter and her Gentleman friend were there both beaming like the North Star.  Come to find out the reason for the beaming was  sparkling on V's left hand.  The Gentleman friend is now her Fiance having proposed on the way up here.
 
Saturday, August 11, 2007
 
Other guests arriving for the birthdays were J's Godparents.
 
So now in addition to birthdays to celebrate we have an engagement and a swearing in of Officer Bill. 
Dinner was a feast prepared by my Daughter.  J turned 27, V turned 24, I just turned.   Well, if you must know I am now 85
 
It was an enjoyable week end.   All have returned to their homes.  We miss all the excitement and good times.   We miss you all.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, August 15. 2007 @ 13:01

We Are Having A Party August 12. 2007

 Well, two of the guests have arrived for birthdays.  In case you are wondering about birthdays - On Saturday, August 11th, James, Veronica and I will be celebrating our birthdays.  J, V, and I were all born on the same date. They are both in their 20's. You all know you should never ask a Lady her age or her weight.  I will tell you my age - come Saturday will be 85 (it hurts just to say it).  But for the weight forget it. 
 
Bill's Mom Jo-An and Sandy, Veronica's God Mother, arrived at noon today.  James and Veronica arrive tomorrow.  James' God Parents arrive on Saturday.
The one person missing is my younger Daughter Becky.  She can't make it this being the busy time of the year for her Pilates Studio.  She will be here later in the year.  I know she would be here if she could.  Not only for me but for her Niece and Nephew. 
 
Oh by the way, Veronica has sent word that she has a surprise announcement to make on Saturday.  I wonder what it could be.  I will let you know when I write Saturday.  Until then----
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, August 12. 2007 @ 21:26

This and That and nothing special August 9. 2007

I have just washed my hair and Joann rolled it for me.   It seems to have washed all the thoughts from my brain. 
 
I don't want to get into my war stories today, saving that for another day.  Could tell you that we had three Deer in the side yard yesterday eating on the garden.  It must have been the Deer that ate my Pansies and the Day Lilies disappeared.  Bill has planted one Gerbera Daisy and I count the petal on it every day.  Well, it gives me something to do.
 
Things will perk up tomorrow.  Bill's Mom and Veronica's God Mother will be here.  They are flying up from St. Petersburg.  James and Veronica will be here on Friday.  Sunday is the big day and the three of us will celebrate. 
 
I am already celebrating but not my birthday.  I finished 30 days of antibiotics.   I took three a day for thirty days.  No matter how you slice it that's 90 capsules.
It was like a 30 day jail sentence.  The Doctor told me to stay out of crowds. I went no where except to the Drs.   I could not even go to Church.   
 
So things are looking up.  The sun is shining.  No sign of rain.  Had a call from my Daughter Becky and that always brightens my day. 
 
So for now---- Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, August 9. 2007 @ 22:46

Heat Wave in Pisgah Forest August 6. 2007

It took a Heat Wave to bring the Humming Birds to the Bird Feeders in our back yard.  If that is what it takes we will put up with the heat.  The other sighting today was a Deer in the side yard.  He was just passing through on his way to the woods where I am sure he hoped there would be a breeze.  Bill put out apples  for the Deer over the weekend and the word must have gotten out because the Deer have been regular visitors since.
 
The Weather  Man is right about the Heat Wave because today I have put my 4 winter robes  that Joann bought for me when we came up here away and the a/c is running.  Sure signs that summer has arrived.  Mind you it is not heat like in Florida but the Natives say it is hot so it's hot. 
 
That's all the news from here.  I will try to conjure up some excitement tomorrow to report. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, August 6. 2007 @ 20:37

NEVER TOO OLD TO LEARN August 3. 2007

How lucky am I?  I have been thinking all day what can I post to my web site today.  Nothing exciting happened and personal experiences two days in a row just won't do.  Well, my phone rang about 10 minutes ago (10:30 pm) and it was my Daughter Becky calling from the baseball game (Boston playing the Mariners).  She and John who is from the Boston area and a Boston fan were there to watch the Red Socks win...John hopes.
 
I mentioned in an earlier posting that everyone around here has a Dish on their roof or some place on their house well I just learned from Becky that when I am searching for a particular program or game that Dish spins around.  Knowing this I am wondering if maybe someone should check the Dish on our house it must just about be spun out. 
 
This brings to mind a conversation with a neighbor down the road about the breeze that comes up every evening.  It must be everyone on this side of the mountain searching the TV for a program to watch.  It also explains why the leaves on the top of the trees move in a breeze while the leaves lower down on the trees are perfectly still.
 
OK I am going to spin that Dish again to find the Boston game and try to find Becky and John in the crowd. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, August 3. 2007 @ 22:41

Early morning visit with two Deer August 2. 2007

 
We left the house at 9 AM this morning.  Today was the day for my PT test.  I must admit I was half asleep with my head on the head rest and my eyes closed trying to catch a few more minutes of sleep when the car stopped and Joann said in a hushed tone "there she is".  
 
"She" was a Doe and she stood there looking us straight in the eye.    It seemed she wanted to know why we were stopped.  Maybe she was wanting to get back across the road to get her breakfast.  I was saying all the nice things I could think of to her but she had enough and turned and went into the woods.  We could see that she was standing beside a Deer like maybe it was her Papa and she would be safe there. 
 
It is just amazing to me to be so close to these beautiful animals.  They seem so tame.  They come right up into the yard but the least little noise and they run oh so fast and they can jump over fences.  I never go out on the Patio alone - remember the Black Bear is still around. 
 
Oh yes my PT test was normal. 
 
Hope we can get together again tomorrow.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
Basically Betty  Thursday, August 2. 2007 @ 13:50

Weekend in Bus Terminal in Washington, DC - Pt 2 August 1. 2007

  
Everything went well for one week.  I was fitted with the gown and got my bags packed but before the second week there was a Small Pox scare in our home town and everyone should be inoculated.  Well, I was vaccinated and finally the day came to get on the train and head for Virginia.  I don't recall how many hours we were on the train but I knew something was wrong with my arm where I had been injected. That's right - I was having a reaction to the Vaccine. 
 
Well, finally arrived to our destination.  We stayed in a Rooming House near the Base.  By that time my arm had swollen so that they had to cut the sleeve of my Blue Gabardine Suit.  Good thing the sleeve on my gown was a puff sleeve and would not be tight on my arm.
 
Saturday afternoon was the wedding.  It was a beautiful Military wedding.  I just stayed long enough for pictures and a piece of the Wedding Cake and then one of the guests offered to drive me to the Bus Terminal.  I would have to get a Bus to Washington, DC.
 
Here I am in Washington, DC.  These are War years remember.  I went to the Ticket window, asked for a ticket to Steubenville, Ohio.  The Ticket Agent told me there would not be a bus to Steubenville until Monday morning.  The closest I could get would be Little Washington, Penna.  and that bus would not leave until Sunday afternoon. 
 
I had a friend in the Waves stationed in Washington and I could reach her by phone.  She could not leave her Base until after 5 PM but she would come by then.   The Terminal was packed with Service Men.  I went to the Lunch Counter to get a bite to eat and a Private came and sat beside me.  We started talking and I told him I was there until the next afternoon.  I got a real shock while we were talking when two MP's came by and took him by the arms and started away with him.  They told me he was AWOL. 
 
Believe me when I tell you I looked for a corner seat where I would be hidden from the crowd and stayed there until my friend from the Waves came by.  She suggested we get away from the Terminal for a while so we went Bowling.  It was a welcome diversion.   We went to a nice Restaurant and had dinner and then she took me back to the Terminal. 
 
Finally time for the bus.    It was a tiring trip but I was happy to be on my way home.  When we arrived in Little Washington, Penna.  I called my Father and asked him to please come get me. 
 
I have only traveled alone once since and Joann saw me on the Plane in Tampa and a friend was at the Gate waiting for me in Pittsburgh.  On that trip there was a Lady in the window seat by me and she was so helpful.  We still e-mail to keep in touch. 
 
That's my story and I am sticking to it!
 
Love and prayers from here to there
 
Basically Betty  Wednesday, August 1. 2007 @ 18:41
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