163 February 29. 2008

Today is the last day of February which means the Ides of March are upon us.  Whatever that means.  It has something to do with Superstition.  My Mother was superstitious.  Some have rubbed off on me.  For instance, I cannot stand a black cat crossing my path. 
As I have grown older I find that God intervenes when I am about to do something that might cause me harm.  Those of you who know me well know that I am restricted in what I can and cannot eat.  If ever I think something that I really want can't hurt me like a chocolate cookie and I pick one up to eat it I will drop it on the floor.  I say "thank You Lord". 
 
One day when I was still driving I was going from my apartment to J & B's house which meant I had to make a left turn over a four lane busy highway.  I just got started and my brakes went out and I know God saw me down that road and across that intersection and into J & B's subdivision.  Their home was built up on an incline so I was able to coast up on their grass and come to a full stop. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Friday, February 29. 2008 @ 21:29

Did You Hear That? February 28. 2008

I think I have mentioned a time or two before how very quiet it is up here on the Mountain with all the trees.  Today I was reading the paper (it's published twice a week) and Joann was busy Beading when I heard a plane going over.  I said to her "is that a plane?" and she said "it sure sounds like it". This is unusual.  It is unlike living in St. Petersburg and having planes go over every few minutes to McDill or TIA. 
 
According to the evening News the planes were out skywriting  enjoying the beautiful weather.  The temperature was 35 but it was a bright sunny day.   The sky was as blue as I have ever seen.  What a welcome change from all the bad news they could have reported.  
 
If I had a plane I would sky write to everyone reading this
 
Love and prayers from here to there 
Basically Betty  Thursday, February 28. 2008 @ 21:07

I Went Thata Way February 27. 2008

Have you all heard of the new gadget out - Navigation System?  I understand my Granddaughter has one and it finds her way hither and yon.  
I could have used one when we first moved to Florida.  We bought a home on 58th Avenue.   That's at least 58 blocks from the center of town.   Maybe just maybe there are 58 blocks in all of my home town.  
So, in order to come and go from our home on 58th we looked for landmarks.   We knew our turn was off of Ninth Street so at the corner of 9th and 58th there was a green mail box.  The mail was delivered at the street in those days.  Things went along very well until one day some one knocked down the green mail box and they replaced it with a black one.   Well, I went right by 58th and found myself down on Pinellas Point Dr. which was as far as you could go on 9th.  Good that I was alone because I would not have wanted the girls to see their Mom in such a state of confusion. 
Turned around and went back looking for the school the girls were going to and from that day on it was my landmark. 
One of my neighbors who had lived in St. Pete all his life told me Central Avenue is the center of town and the Avenues run East and West and the streets North and South.  Can't say I never got lost again.  There was the time I was invited to a Coffee in Lakewood Country Club and I could not find the house where the Coffee was to be.  I saw a Mail Man and stopped to ask him if he could tell me where the Jones family lives.  He looked at me and then started to laugh asking me if I knew how many Jones families there were in this subdivision.  Another Lady going to the same Coffee came by and stopped to see what was going on.   I followed her to the Jones' Coffee and had a great time.
When we came from the Hospital on Tuesday Joann said she wanted to try another way home.  Believe me I was relieved when I saw the Pig Farm at the bottom of our mountain.  I knew we were on the right path.   Guess she and Becky take after their Father with their sense of direction.
Hope you all find whatever you are looking for.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, February 27. 2008 @ 22:03

So Far -- So Good February 26. 2008

I will not know if everything is back to normal with this computer until I send this to be posted on my Web-site.  So I will keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best.
Went today for a PT test.  I go every Tuesday to the Doctor's Office and a lovely Lady named Wanda takes a couple of drops of blood out of one of my fingers puts it on a slide and puts it into a machine.  Well, today the machine was not working.  Maybe my problem with machines followed me over to the Office.   So in order to check the PT we went to the Hospital and they drew blood from my arm.  No problem there and the result showed everything normal.
The weather was cold which meant I had to wear the pink jacket again.  This is the jacket that I think has a bullet proof lining because it weighs a ton. 
The clouds were beautiful on the way into town.  They were white and billowy but there was a space between the clouds and the mountain tops of blue sky.  I thought it looked like the normal everyday dress of the natives here.  The mountains are the Blue Jeans, the space of blue sky is the belt holding the Blue Jeans up, and the White Clouds are the White Sweat Shirt.  Makes me want to buy a pair of Blue Jeans and I have a white Sweat Shirt so I will fit in.  I think it might work because I have lost my Florida tan. 
Oh yes, and we saw two Deer on the way down the mountain.   I wonder what they think as they stare at us staring at them.  Probably never will know. 
Well, it's time for dinner.  I get a salad today because the test was normal.  Love a salad.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Tuesday, February 26. 2008 @ 21:10

The one that got away February 25. 2008

This is my second try at a Blog for tonight.  The first one when I went to send it disappeared into the darkness of the Forest never to be seen again.  Too bad because it was destined for the Best Seller List . 
I will try again tomorrow.  Maybe a good nights rest will be just what this machine needs.  Me too. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, February 25. 2008 @ 22:01

Just a phone call away February 23. 2008

What started out as a ho hum Saturday turned out to be a very nice day not only weather wise but received two phone calls that made my day. 
The first call was with Barbara and John.  Barbara and I had a lot to talk about because we are members of the same Church.  She keeps me posted on how everyone is and all the activities of the Church.  John and I talk baseball.  He, of course is for the Yankees and I am for the Rays.  We have an agreement though - he will root for the Rays except when they are playing the Yankees and I will root for the Yankees except when they are playing the Rays.  They are both really good friends.
The second call was from my Daughter Becky.  She told me she had lunch at The Chattaway when she was in St. Petersburg recently and talked with a young lady that I knew when I lived there but had not seen in quite a while.   She told Becky she would love to hear from me.   It will be great connecting with her after all this time. 
That's my day.  Hope yours was as pleasant.
Hoping for another nice day tomorrow so we can get to Church.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Saturday, February 23. 2008 @ 20:19

Ouch! February 21. 2008

Had an appointment to have my teeth cleaned today.   Even though it was so cold I had to wear the pink jacket hood up I went to the Dentist's office. 
It's no secret I do not like having my teeth cleaned but the young lady that did the job today was exceptional and made the chore bearable.   Her southern accent made being in that chair almost pleasant.  That is until the Dentist came in to give me the results of the Hygienist findings. 
It seems there is a cavity under the crown that was put on by the first Dentist (a dear man) I had in Florida.  How long ago was that you ask?  Well, I remember thinking $80.00 that he charged me was outrageous.  It was actually in the 1960's.
Anyway, the Dentist thinks he should take that crown off and fix the cavity.  Then there is the possibility it will require a ROOT CANAL.  
Tell me what would you do?
On a happy note Polly came and she and Joann have been beading.  Polly has made herself a lovely necklace and earrings to match.
As for the rest of the day.  I am going to have eggs for dinner and then watch my Soap at 7 because I missed it this afternoon and you know why.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, February 21. 2008 @ 20:35

Finding a Fellow Fan February 20. 2008

After dinner this evening Joann was telling me about her day and mentioned a phone call she had from a young man named Dexter.   Seems Dexter is the contact person for a Medicare program of which I, as a Congestive Heart Failure patient, am a member. 
He asked if I had any interests.   Joann listed them for him.  She told him I have a Web-site, e-mail with many friends, and I am a Rays fan.  Well, he too is a Rays fan and takes his two Children to the game as often as he can.  The team has never lost when they've attended. He mentioned that his Grandmother was a devoted Braves fan and her birthday had been announced during a game one year.   Luck would have it he was watching the game on TV and called her to wish her a "Happy Birthday". 
With Dexter and I both rooting for the Rays they gotta do good.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Wednesday, February 20. 2008 @ 19:37

Another Bird Story February 19. 2008

One bright and sunny day probably early 1970s in southside St. Petersburg, Florida I was about to hang up the laundry I just finished but a Mama bird had other ideas.  You see she had little ones in a nest in a tree in our back yard.  She was swooping down coming too close for comfort to my head.  I went back into the house and Joann and Becky had been watching from the sliding glass door.   They thought this was the greatest thing they had ever seen Mom being attached by a Mama bird. 
Your wondering why I did not put the clothes in the Dryer.  I did not have one, did not want one.  I had never lived where you could hang out the wash so when I finally moved where you could I took advantage of the opportunity.  Besides it was a great way to get a tan. 
Well, so what to do.  The girls had the answer.  They went and got their tennis racquets and the three of us went to the clothes line and when the Mama bird came after me they would wave their racquets and chase her away.  The clothes all hung up we went back into the house.  We watched the bird as she continued to man the back yard.  I had never seen a bird like this she was black with red wings.  I hated to but I asked the girls what kind of a bird was that.   Becky spoke up and said "it's a Red Winged Black Bird Mom".   I, of course, thought she was just kidding but turns out she wasn't.  I had never heard of a Red Wing Black Bird.  
Not long after that I received a Clothes Dryer.  It appeared in my laundry room one day.  I still hung out the towels and sheets but our clothes went into the dryer because that hot sun faded colors. 
Joann hangs out clothes here weather permitting.   She has a Dryer.   Maybe if the Deer and the Bear come around when she is hanging clothes she too will use her Dryer.
 
Love and prayers from here to there 
Basically Betty  Tuesday, February 19. 2008 @ 19:40

First Cardinal Seen This Year February 18. 2008

Yesterday as I was putting my dinner in the oven to cook I for some unknown reason looked out the kitchen window.  There was the reason - a beautiful Cardinal having his dinner at the Bird Feeder.  I called upstairs to Joann and Bill so they could enjoy this beautiful creature of Nature.  Only sorry we did not get a picture. 
I watched him eat for maybe five minutes.  When he had enough he flew away and I am wondering if birds have the same eating schedule we have.  I will watch the Bird Feeder at 5 o'clock every day and maybe I will get an answer. 
I have three other Bird Stories to tell you but they can wait until another day because I must get my dinner cooking and check the Bird Feeder.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Monday, February 18. 2008 @ 18:39

NEVER SAY NEVER February 17. 2008

Had an e-mail from a friend and she told me she was concerned because the weather report showed a possible Tornado to come by them today.   She lives in Texas.
This brought back memories of Tornados my family and I have lived through.  I have already told you about the one that hit south St. Petersburg but I have not told you about the one that came through the Ohio Valley when I was in my 20s. 
First let me tell you it was common knowledge that a Tornado could never hit my town because we lived in a valley surrounded with hills. 
Well, that theory got shot down one day when my Mom and I were shopping and decided to stop in our one Department Store for lunch because it looked like rain.  We just got seated and served in the lunch room when we heard a crash.   A Tornado came over the hills down the main street and broke out all the windows in the front of this department store. 
There were no serious injuries but it taught us one thing for sure.   NEVER SAY NEVER.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Sunday, February 17. 2008 @ 17:41

What Brought This On? February 16. 2008

All day long I have been wondering what I could write about this evening.   It was a lovely day weather wise but as far as interesting I don't think so.   Oh, there was the Soap I watch every day and Judge Judy that is about the extent of the excitement. 
 
Until about 10 PM the phone rang and the excitement began.  It was Joann.   She had gone up early because she was not feeling well but she wanted to call to say Good Night and to make sure I had the space Heater turned off which I did.  The conversation somehow got on her childhood and for about half an hour she and I relived the good old days in Steubenville. 
 
You know how I complain about the weather here so cold and snow and ice at times well here's a story that will make all my weather stories pale in comparison. 
 
Husband Fred had built a lovely apartment over his Building Supply business.  Like here it was built on the side of a hill  with the drive way going straight up to the front of the building. One day when Joann and Becky were very young I had taken them down to my Mom and Dad's and when we got home and pulled into the driveway both girls had fallen asleep.  Well, Fred came out and got Becky and I got Joann out of the car and when I closed the door the car drifted back down the driveway and straight down to the road and then made a sharp left turn and stopped.  We just stood there watching all this more or less in shock because had the car not made that left turn it would have crashed into the house across the street.  We all four thanked God for making that left turn.
 
That is one of the stories we relived.  If I can find another one I think you might find interesting I will send it on.  Until then it is time to say good-night.  I will thank God tonight for my family and the memories we share.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Saturday, February 16. 2008 @ 09:17

You're Not Going To Believe This February 14. 2008

I received several Valentine Cards which is the norm since this is Valentine's Day.   The not norm is I received a Christmas Card today.   It was mailed on December 19, 2007.  Oh well, things move slowly in the south.
 
Heard from younger Daughter Becky.  She is back home safe
and sound.  She and Joann met for lunch while they were both in St. Petersburg which is nice.   
 
Had a phone call from James.  He is loving his work and life in L.A.  I miss him but I am happy for him. 
 
Had another phone call - this one from friend Elaine.  She comes from the same part of the country as I do.   We went to the same Church in St. Pete.  So good to hear from old friends.
 
Still have not had the creamed peas and new potatoes as yet.  Maybe tomorrow. 
 
Before I say bye for now here's the daily weather report:  Sunny and mild.  It got up to 50 degrees today.  The Weatherman said that is normal for this time of year.   I hope tomorrow is also normal because I want to go to town and do some shopping.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Thursday, February 14. 2008 @ 20:51

It's Been a Long Day February 12. 2008

The sun was so bright this morning it woke me at 9:30 AM.  I was blinded when I opened the drapes this morning by that bright sunshine.  I could not believe my eyes when I checked the Thermometer and it registered 20 degrees.  Oh, that is OK because I don't have to go out today.  Hopefully it won't be 20 degrees tomorrow when I go out for a PT test. 
 
That is the excitement for the day except I received a lovely Valentine Card from Bill's Mom and Gust.  That's the second card I have received.  The other one was an Electronic card by e-mail from Barbara. 
 
I had an e-mail from Marion and she told me The Silver Tea is to be this Wednesday.  I read about it in the Church Newsletter this month and I sure wish I could be there for it.  Speaking of the Church Newsletter - it is so well put together and so interesting and informative.  Hope all the members appreciate and enjoy all the hard work that goes into publishing a Church Newsletter every month.  I sure do.
 
Oh yes, and one other note - my friend Sandy came to my rescue yet again when she found a picture on her computer that one of my Church friends wanted.   It had gotten lost on my computer. Thanks Sandy.
 
It is now 11:15 PM I told you it has been a long day.  I'll check in tomorrow.
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Tuesday, February 12. 2008 @ 14:20

Sunday, February 10, 2008 February 12. 2008

The wind is whistling through the trees in the Forest
 
Sitting here in my cozy little home all alone the quiet was about to get to me when the wind started to blow just like the Weather folks promised.  Hope it does not get any stronger than it is right now but the sound is almost on pitch as it finds its way through the trees.  I love all music, well not that Hip Hop stuff.  I bet my friend Jean H. could put words to the tunes she hears in our back yard. 
 
I had a delicious dinner this evening.  Roast Beef, Mashed Potatoes and gravy.  I hope Joann will let me cook dinner either tomorrow or Tuesday because I have something special I want to cook.  Creamed Peas and New Potatoes.
 
Many years ago we, Joann and Becky and I, would shop for fresh vegetables and fruit at a Market I believe up on 9th St. N.  The Gentleman that ran the store was very friendly and one day he was cooking something in the back of the store (kitchen).  We asked him what he was cooking.  He told us it was going to be Creamed Peas and New Potatoes.   When we told him we had never had anything like that he was shocked.  If we would not stay and eat some of his cooking we must take home some peas and new potatoes.   I explained to him I was (and still am) not much of a cook.  He proceeded to explain how to cook this dish.  So, we bought the ingredients and went home and had Creamed Peas and New Potatoes for dinner.  Imagine the surprised look I got from my Dad and my Husband when they tasted my creation.  It really was delicious. 
 
All this about food is making me hungry.   Better say good-night and let the music from out back lull me to sleep. 
 
Love and prayers from here to there
Basically Betty  Tuesday, February 12. 2008 @ 14:16
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