It Wasn't Even Friday the Thirteenth January 31. 2008

I have been up since 9 AM this morning and that makes for a long day for me.  So much so in fact I have been thinking it is Friday all evening.  This has been a crazy week.  We did not go to Church because of the nasty weather.   For the same reason I did not go out on Monday. 
 
Tuesday I went out but not because I wanted to.   I was talking to my friend Adith on the phone and all of a sudden I was having trouble breathing.  We said good night and shortness of breath became worse.  Joann called 911 and the Paramedics came.  Off I went to the Hospital with two young men and a young woman.  Getting out of my apartment into their vehicle was no easy task.  It was raining and they wheeled the thing I was on up over the slag drive way.  The ride down the mountain would have been unbearable except for the young woman riding with me.  She had a dry blanket for me and I told her I was not used to this cold because I came from Florida.  Guess what, she is from Florida also.  Been here since she was 14.  
 
Joann and Bill followed in their car.  So we arrive and there does not seem to be any patients in the ER at the time.  Good because I don't need any more germs that I already have.  So they put me in this room and I had four women and one young man giving me pills, taking my blood pressure, drawing blood. 
 
I asked Norma the names of the others because she seemed to be in charge.  There was Peggy, Lynn, and Luis.  They were all just great.   Very attentive.  I don't know if they are all Nurses but they sure made my trip to ER as pleasant as possible.  Joann was allowed to come in and sit with me. 
 
So, when all the tests were completed the Doctor came in (not my Doctor but the ER Doctor) and said everything was normal and I could go home. 
 
Such good news because I hate being in the Hospital.  So diagnosing my own condition I decided it was a Gall Bladder attack.  No. 1 Bill grilled hamburgers and it was so good I ate a hamburger with mustard and onion.  I can never eat a whole sandwich.  No. 2 I ate french fries (more of them than usual).
So, if I live long enough I might learn how to manage this Gall Bladder of mine. 
 
Tomorrow is Friday and I am sleeping in. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, January 31. 2008 @ 20:15

Tuesday Phone Call January 29. 2008

It's Tuesday and not much going on here.  Joann and Bill are out and about.  The Temp. is 60 out there so the doors will be opening shortly to let fresh air and sunshine in. 
 
So, I think to myself what would I be doing if I was still in St. Petersburg?  Oh yes, at 9 AM the phone would ring and the voice on the other end would say "This is John ----."  I would say  "Good Morning John".   He would be calling to make sure I was ready to take calls for an Organization that helped folks with their utilities, provide grocery, and medication.  I was a Volunteer for many years for this Organization and made many friends from the different Agencies we worked with. 
 
Then sometime after 12 noon the phone would ring and it would be Wilma, another friend from Lakeview Church, calling for the report of the calls I had taken.Wilma and I have been friends for years but I had never met John.  So, it was a very pleasant surprise when I heard that John was going to be in Western North Carolina and would stop by for a visit. 
 
It was a short visit but John brought Joann and I up to date on all our friends from the Church.  He has promised to come back and bring his wife with him next time.  Fran too is a good friend from the Church. 
 
If you should call me some Tuesday morning at 9 AM and I answer the phone "Good Morning John" you will know why.
 
If any of my friends from Lakeview Church read this I would love to hear from you. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Tuesday, January 29. 2008 @ 17:08

Maybe Next Time January 26. 2008

Remember I told you Joann and Bill volunteered to count White Squirrels here?  Well, they did over a period of maybe a month and turned in a report.   The folks conducting the count were very pleased with this report. 
 
Well, those folks are asking for Volunteers to listen for the sounds Toads and Frogs make and in that way get a count of how many of these creatures are residing in our town.   They will give anyone volunteering a recording of the sounds the Frogs and Toads make in case the one giving of their time is not familiar with same. 
 
The article was in our local paper which we receive by mail twice a week.  The reason it comes by U.S. Mail we live in a Forest on the side of a Mountain and the Paper Boy is not a Mountain Climber. 
 
When I read this article to Joann and Bill they said "no thanks" we are still seeing White Squirrels in our sleep. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Saturday, January 26. 2008 @ 14:53

The Bird Challenges the Squirrel January 25. 2008

When I opened the drapes this morning I checked the temp on the Thermometer and it was 20 degrees.  It was about 3 PM when I checked it again and it was up to 38 degrees.  The weather was not all I observed looking out the window at this time.  
 
One of the Bird Feeders was attracting my attention because a Gray Squirrel was finding the food the birds dropped while feeding from the Feeder.   This is not unusual but there was what I thought looked like a bird (a Sparrow) firmly planted in the snow around the bottom of the Bird Feeder.  All the while the Squirrel is running around the base of the Feeder, even tried to jump up the pole but it being metal he slid down with a plop.  After several minutes of the bird standing there in the snow motionless I decided it must be a leaf.  After all why would a bird just stand there and let that Squirrel play around  and eat the Bird's dinner?
 
At this time I am thinking if it is a real Bird it must be frozen from standing in the snow that long.  Even though the Squirrel was patient waiting for the Bird to make a move he finally gave up and went looking for a warmer spot with food.  When he was out of sight what I was sure by now was a leaf started to move.
He stretched his wings, picked his feet out of the snow and flew away. 
 
Thank the Lord for my curiosity I would not have wanted to miss this production "The Bird challenges the Squirrel". 
 
Love and Prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, January 25. 2008 @ 17:23

Lights Out January 24. 2008

That was the order of the day yesterday 1/23/08.
 
Joann woke me up at 11:30 AM to tell me the power was off.  I got up why I don't know because there was no heat, could not use the water, and many other things too numerous to mention.
Had to have cold cereal even though it was my day for the cereal you put in the microwave. 
 
So, there is a house being built down the road a piece and like most houses up here it is being built in a factory and brought up a section at a time.  The truck that was bringing up the part yesterday in raising the bed hit a pole and tore down all the wires.  This left everyone on this side of the mountain in the dark.  Well, actually it did not get dark until 5 PM. 
 
Bill was on the phone to the Power Company and they said the power should be back at 5 PM.  Joann let out a yell five.  I did not say a word.   I was thinking there goes my Soap for today.  Oh well, I could watch it at 7 PM when it is on again.  You guessed it 5 came and went and still no power.  Call the Power Co. again and they said hopefully 7 PM.  Oh good for sure I will get to watch the Soap.   But, it seems they had more trouble than they expected.   Had to put up a new pole and new wiring.  So, 7 came and went and no power.  Bill decided to walk down the road to see what was the delay.  When he came back the promise was 9 PM for restoring the power. 
 
O.K. at ten after 9 the power came on and we were all so excited we got up to wash our hands and fix a bite to eat.  Took about ten steps to the kitchen and you guessed it the lights went out again.   Called the Power Company and they said they had to get a stronger Fuse. 
 
At 9:15 the power came back on and once again we jumped up to do what we had wanted to do for so long and you know what happened.   Lights out again.  Called the Power Company and they said the Fuse was not strong enough so they are looking for a heavier one. 
 
After the fourth time of power being restored we just sat still and waited to make sure it was on for good.  Well, it was and we were so thrilled we just sat there wondering how anyone ever got along without Power.
 
It was a little more than ten hours but it was in a way a good thing because now we appreciate even more what we have.  We were together as a family. 
 
We had candles all over the Living Room.  Becky had sent me a candle quite a while ago and it was the light that Joann did some art work by. 
 
James had given his Dad  a flashlight for Christmas and it looks like the Beacon on a Light House.  It really came in handy. 
 
So I will close by telling you I did get to see the Soap That I missed at noon and 7 PM.  It is on at 12 midnight.  The end of a perfect day. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, January 24. 2008 @ 21:56

Ins and Outs January 22. 2008

Finally,  I went out today and wished I had stayed in.    The weather was and is frightful as the saying goes.  If you have been listening I told you we could not get up or down my driveway.  It was piled high with snow.  Joann being as resourceful as she is put her Van in Four Wheel Drive and inched her way down the driveway and over to my door.  She takes after her Father.
 
We were to leave for the PT test at 9 AM but with the weather the way it was Joann called and made sure we could make it for later so we left around 10 AM.   Good thing too, there was a five car accident on the road we take to town.  They were in the process of clearing the road when we got there.  The Sheriff's Dept. and the State Patrol were directing traffic since it is two lanes, one going and one coming. 
 
I thought it was raining but it was a very fine sleet coming down which added to the already hazardous road condition.  But we made it to the Doctor's Office which is outside the City Limits safely.   Well, walking over the parking lot outside his office is not easy in the best weather because it is gravel.  Then you have that ramp I have told you about before.  Today it was a little different it was covered with salt that melts the ice.  So, the ramp is an incline and it is covered with salt.  I could have used a Mountain Climber's Walking Stick.  Good thing I had Joann's hand to pull me up the incline.
 
Oh yes, and when we got to the door a Gentleman that was waiting for the Doctor came and opened the door and put out his hand to help pull me into the office.   This man could be Santa Claus if he were about 100 pounds heavier.  Had the long white beard and long white hair.   I have told you many times about how very friendly and helpful the folks are up here. 
 
So, we get into the office and my favorite chair is empty.  I can get out of it without help.  We got comfortable and all the other folks waiting smiled and like before I wonder are they smiling because they are friendly or are they laughing at the way I am dressed.   I had the big Pink Jacket on and since it is Static Season and I can't keep my hair from standing on end, I wore a hat.  Not one other person in the Waiting Room had a hat on. 
 
But the one thing that I really found interesting, the Gentleman that helped me in the door was sitting across the room from us.  He had a big canvas bag out of which he took a pair of glasses, a heavy duty needle, and  a frame with a piece of burlap on it and started stitching.  I meet the most interesting folks in the Doctor's Office.
 
Tomorrow I will tell you about a new venture I am trying to interest Joann and Bill in. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
 
 



Start the year off right. Easy ways to stay in shape in the new year.
Basically Betty  Tuesday, January 22. 2008 @ 21:05

Not a Typical Sunday January 20. 2008

When Jo-An arrived last Wednesday she told everyone she wanted to go to Church here on Sunday.   Well, you have heard of best made plans of mice and men, that is exactly what her plan was.  But as the story goes it did not plan out.
 
It snowed Friday and again on Saturday.  The first snow was about 8" and the second maybe 4".   I think that adds up to a foot doesn't it?  Whatever, there is a lot of white stuff out there and it is picture perfect beautiful. 
 
Joann took many pictures.   One that I will treasure is her making an Angel in the snow.  Why is this a treasure? Because Becky sent me a picture maybe 8 or more years ago of her making an Angel in the snow out in Oregon.  So the treasure is I have pictures of my Angels making Angels in the snow. 
 
Tuesday I am scheduled for a PT test.  Maybe if I could borrow a pair of Becky's snow shoes (those things that look like tennis rackets) and try Mountain Climbing I could make it to the road.  The drive way around the side of the house and down to my door is a snowdrift. 
 
So we did not get to Church today.  I wonder if there was a Church service.  There are a lot of closings because of the weather.  I think all of the Public Schools closed on Wednesday last week. 
 
My Cousin MA sent me pictures of her Granddaughter's Children playing in the snow in Atlanta where they live.  I heard from Jean H. that it was very cold in St. Pete today.  So, I guess we are not alone in this miserable weather situation.  Hope it soon passes. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, January 20. 2008 @ 21:34

Communication by phone and other ways January 18. 2008

Going back a ways our phone at home was a tall thing that had a hook attached to it for what was called a receiver.  And there were five other families on our line.  There was always one person on the line that listened to everyone's conversation.  Every once in a while she would ask a question like "Did you get a C in Math"?  So you knew she had been listening to one of your calls.
 
I am amazed with the phones today.   My Daughter Joann has two phones with her at all times.   I suppose Becky has a business phone and a personal phone.  James has a phone that takes pictures and sends messages.  Veronica has a phone that takes the place of a map.  She calls for directions to certain places in town.  Bill has a phone that attaches to his belt.  Me, I have a portable phone that rings when someone calls me and it serves me well. 
 
Too bad we did not have phones like those today in the 60s and 70s.  My Husband was in the Tree business and had an older Gentlemen named Jim working for him.  Fred had a bucket truck and one day he was trimming a very tall tree high up in the bucket, about 10 blocks from our home, right on the water.
He finished the trimming and was ready for Jim to bring him down with the controls on the side of the truck.  Only one problem Jim had fallen asleep propped up against a tree (I might mention Jim was very hard of hearing). 
 
Well, I was hanging up clothes in the back yard of our home when I heard my Husband's voice calling "Jim."   Now you might doubt that I could hear a voice calling from that distance but believe me I did.  So, after four or five yellings for Jim I got into my car and drove over there, woke Jim and he brought the boss down. 
 
It was in the heat of the Florida summer and neither of the two men said a word.  I took Jim home and Fred went home and cooled off under the hose.   
 
The next morning Fred took the Bucket Truck into the shop to have the controls put on the inside of the Bucket so he could come and go as he needed to and Jim Could take a nap while Fred trimmed.
Love and prayers from here to there.
 
 
Basically Betty  Friday, January 18. 2008 @ 21:40

Snow, Snow and more Snow January 18. 2008

The subject today was to be Communication but the weather has changed the subject to Snowstorm in North Carolina.
 
It started to snow last evening and from all reports snowed all night.  When I opened the drape this morning it was a sight to behold.  There was a blanket of snow about 6 inches deep all over.  There will be no driving down my driveway to pick me up to go anywhere for a few days.  And if the freeze comes as predicted it will be more than a few days.  I guess maybe I will get to Church come spring. 
 
Hope no birds come looking for the Bird Feeders because they are covered with snow.  The Deer won't be able to find the Deer lick either.
 
Bill's Mom  and Joann went out early this morning like a couple of kids.  Joann had to pull Jo-An up the hill out of the deep snow.  They went down to the pond and it is frozen over.  I watched them frolicking in the snow from my window.  I have not even opened my door today.  The view from the window is as close as I want to get to this beautiful snow.
 
I say enough already.  If it does not snow again until next Christmas that will suit me just fine.
 
Oh, one interesting thing I learned from Bill today - it takes 10 inches of snow to equal 1 inch of rain. 
 
On that note I will say that's all for today.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, January 18. 2008 @ 09:37

What Next? January 16. 2008

I have learned to accept the fact that I share my space on earth with Deer and White Squirrel.  I just can't quite get used to the fact that we have a Black Bear living in our area. 
 
I have told you we get the Transylvania Times on Monday and Thursday through the mail.  No delivery out this way.  Well, the story that caught my eye in Monday's issue was about a sighting.  It seems many folks have reported seeing Mountain Lions in our County.  They tell us not to worry though because the Mountain Lion is only after Deer.  Hope he doesn't get Deer mixed up with Dear.  Or better yet hope he decides to become a Vegetarian and feeds on the leaves and grass and leaves our beautiful Deer alone.
 
So let's change the subject for a moment.  Today is a very special day - it is Joann's birthday.  Yesterday was Bill's birthday.  We will celebrate tomorrow.  Bill's Mom will be arriving later today to join in the celebration. 
 
                    Happy Birthday Bill and Joann
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, January 16. 2008 @ 16:04

Friendship January 13. 2008

Yesterday I was trying to print a chart for Joann and Bill for their birthdays.   It was a chart with three columns, What you say, What God says, and the Bible verse verifying God's word.  It was sent to me a while back by my friend Terry.  It is How to Deal with Stress.  
 
When I printed it the columns were all mixed up.  So what to do.   I immediately thought of my friend Sandy who does such beautiful cards and print outs on her computer.   When I explained to her what I was trying to do I thought maybe I was asking the impossible.  She said she loved a challenge and would see what she could do.   Not long after she sent me the chart and I printed out and it is perfect.   Thank you Sandy not only for the Chart but for the years of friendship we have shared. 
 
Hopefully this "Handy Little Chart"  will help J & B with the stress of everyday life. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, January 13. 2008 @ 17:48

Don't forget to Vote January 10. 2008

Had a phone call from dear friend Adith.   The conversation was mostly about the Candidates wanting to be President.  Even though I was taught by my Parents never to discuss politics or religion with friends Adith and I know we vote on different pages.   But we are still friends.
 
She asked me if I had been following the cacusses.  I have not and don't plan to watch other than just the evening news.  That is confusing enough for me. 
 
Now I know it is my duty as a good citizen to vote in the elections but when I hear some of the promises the Candidates make I just give up.   I listened to one of the Candidates on the news yesterday evening and I thought he made sense and today I got an e-mail from a good source tearing this man apart.   Some of the statistics listed about him changed my mind in a big hurry. 
 
The good thing is I don't know which Party each one belongs to (except one).   If I hear what I want to from any one of them I will vote for that one regardless of his party affiliation. 
 
I have been very fortunate to have seen 4 Presidents in my life time.   When FDR was running for his second term he came to Steubenville and rode right past our home.  My Grandmother, Mother, Father and I were on our Front Porch watching him go by in an open car.  He actually waved to my Grandmother.  She cried happy tears.   My Father and I attended an Army and Navy Game in Philadelphia one year and  Harry Truman was the President attending the game.  The next President I saw was Richard Nixon (when he was running for VP) and his wife on the back of a train that stopped in Steubenville.  The next was Gerald Ford visiting St. Petersburg and my Son-in-law was on the Police Force at that time and was one of the Officers guarding the President.    
Hope your Candidate wins - that is if you vote for the right one.
 
Love and prayers from here to there 
Basically Betty  Thursday, January 10. 2008 @ 22:12

A day well spent January 8. 2008

Well, it was 60 degrees today but the sun was no where to be found.  The clouds were hanging low over the mountain tops just waiting to be punctured by the tall trees before sending down the rain they had stored. 
 
Joann and I were on our way to the Dr's. office for my PT test.  Pulling into the parking lot of the office we saw a white squirrel jumping from tree to tree.  While sitting in the office waiting for the Nurse to call us in we saw another white squirrel through the wall of windows in the front of the office.  Joann pointed it out to me and after much thought I asked her "couldn't that be the same white squirrel we saw coming in" ?   Her reply "No".
I did not dispute her answer because after all she is the one that counted the white squirrels and knows one from other better than I do. 
 
As I sat there I passed the time analyzing the folks also waiting.  I do this without staring at them, just glancing at them from time to time.  If I catch their eye I just smile.  I have told you how friendly the folks up here are so they always smile back except the one man this morning.  He just stared at me for what seemed like minutes.  It was not cold enough for his face to be frozen in that stare.  I had not eaten before leaving home so there was no food in my teeth.  Oh well, when the Dr. walked in the man's stare was broken. 
 
The Dr.  is one of a kind.  He comes into the office and looks at everyone and says "Good Morning".  He's my kind of a Guy.
 
That's my story for today.
 
Love and prayers from here to there.
Basically Betty  Tuesday, January 8. 2008 @ 16:08

Today, Tomorrow and then some January 6. 2008

Guess what folks?  The temp. got up to 60 today.  The sun was so bright and warm that I even opened both doors.  It was so nice to feel the warmth when touching the doors rather than your fingers sticking to them from the cold.
 
Finally got Toner for my Printer.  J & B had an extra color cartridge and B got the black one at (where else?) Walmart.  I have been writing letters like crazy.  Had a lot of catching up to do in the letter writing dept.  It's like my right hand has forgotten how to write.  Thank goodness for the Word Processor. 
 
Thank goodness I took Typing in High School.  I watch James and Veronica on the computer and am amazed how they type.  They did not study Typing in Home School but they sure have picked it up. 
 
I guess it is like riding a bike, once you learn you have the knack for life.  I can type with the best of them but riding a bike is another story.  My friend Margaret and I were in Atlantic City one summer on vacation and we rented bikes to ride on the Boardwalk.  Margaret was good at everything so on the bike she got and took off.  I had never been on a bike in my life so just getting on it was enough to tell me "this is not for you Betty" but daredevil that I am I tried it anyway.  O.K. so I got on and went weaving down the Boardwalk for less than a block when I fell off.  Skinned both knees which made for a nice picture of my one and only bike ride.
 
Hope we can meet tomorrow same time, same place.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, January 6. 2008 @ 21:29

Thank Goodness it's Friday January 4. 2008

That used to mean so much to me when I worked.   Today it is just another day.  Don't misunderstand I am thankful for each and every day.  So Friday now is maybe pick up the things I have been  dropping here and there day.  Start thinking about what I am going to wear to Church on Sunday.  When the weather permits I might go along with Joann to do the grocery shopping.  
 
My computer still gives me the temp. in St. Petersburg every day and I notice they are having some cold weather too.  I remember the strawberry growers almost always had  the weather to cope with before the berries were ready to pick.  Same with the oranges and grapefruit.   Like there, the sun shines brightly up here even though it is very cold.  Heard Bill say it was 8 degrees one morning this week.  Believe me that is cold.
 
So, I put the furnace up a notch and stay in my cozy little home and wait for spring time. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, January 4. 2008 @ 21:02
« previous page   (Page 1 of 2, totaling 16 entries)   next page »