Basically Betty

Had a phone call from a friend from my Steubenville days.  She and her husband rented an apartment next to ours and we became neighbors and friends.   This was a very interesting time of my life and I hope it was for her also.   She was just up from South Carolina.   She was eager to learn the ways of the northern folks and I was fascinated learning the ways of this southern Belle.   Oh by the way, her name is Sonja.

Sonja and Joann and Becky got along very well.   While I would be doing the laundry or cooking a meal the three of them would be dancing in the hallway.   She would be teaching the girls the Line Dance.  

Seems Sonja's daughter has a home in Hendersonville which is maybe an hour from here and she is going to be visiting there in two weeks.    She has promised to come over this way to visit.   I will be counting the days.   It will be great to see her again after all these years.   I think she visited one time in Florida.   But it has been a long time since last we saw one another.   

Tomorrow friends from Florida will be visiting.   Barbara and her Son Al.   Al is my God Son .    I am looking forward to their visit.   Barbara was one of my very first friends in Florida.   

Those darn Yankees beat my Rays both games but only by one run each game and it took them 10 innings to do it both games.   On to Cleveland.

Love and prayers from here to there

Just got off the phone talking with my friend Fran.   She is excited about a trip she is taking.   First stop Venice, Italy finishing up in Spain.  Safe trip Fran. 

My Daughter Becky visits Italy usually twice a year.   I wish I liked to travel.   When we came up here we left St. Pete at sundown and arrived in Brevard at sunrise.  It was a pleasant ride.  Not a lot of traffic.  

I remember when Joann, Bill, Veronica and I came up this way to South Carolina to get away from a Hurricane.  James was working in California.  The traffic was bumper to bumper all the way up from Florida.  The traffic going down to Florida was all trucks from the northern cities going down to get the power back on.   We saw trucks from Ohio and Texas and many other States.

Susan and Ron took us in and made our evacuation into a pleasant journey.

Have you noticed in the news on the computer there is a group of people that think the world is coming to an end on December 21, 2012?   I remember that was supposed to happen by 2000 but we are all still here. 

I like the way they give you the news on the computer.   You can highlight the story you are interested in and don't have to bother with those that you could care less about.

That's my story for today.   Maybe on the trip into town tomorrow I will gather some interesting facts to relate.

Love and prayers from here to there

This has been a perfect day.  Had left overs from the fourth for dinner and that was good.   Veronica brought me a piece of Angel Food Cake and we visited for a bit. Joann, Matt and Veronica came down after the game (we won 3-0) and visited.  There is always so much to talk about when we get together.  Only problem Becky and James were not here.

I was looking at things on my desk in my bedroom and saw a Journal that Cousin Judy gave me on my birthday a while back.   I have been reading it all day.  I only kept it up for about 2 months.    I stopped writing in it when I was in the Hospital for a week with Pneumonia.  One page is devoted to the Terrorist Attack in New York on the Twin Towers.   I was up early that morning had the TV on and saw the plane hit the building.   I did not have the sound on did not want to disturb the neighbors so did not know what was going on untill later.   What an awful day that was. 

I am going to start writing in it every day again.   It's a great way to keep records of important happenings or events.   Thank you Judy.

So the day is about to come to an end and I am very sad because Veronica and Matt will be leaving tomorrow morning.   I hate when anyone leaves.    I am lonesome for days. 

That's about it for this time.    I am expecting a very quiet day tomorrow.    Maybe I will go into the Closet and see what I can find that I forgot I had.

Hope you make it to Church tomorrow.

Love and prayers from here to there

Another 4th of July has come and went.  This one was a bit quieter than most I have lived through.   When the girls were young I used to take them to the Pier to watch the Fire Works.    Then when I lived at Velvet Cloake we could go out on the Pier there and watch the Fire Works being displayed at the downtown Pier.  It was always a beautiful sight.  

Joann's Bead Show was rained out.  She worked so hard on the displays but she said there will be other shows. 

One very pleasant happening today - Veronica and Matt came.   James called but could not get here due to his work schedule but he promises to be here soon.

I talked to my friend Adith and she was having a busy fourth.   I think all of my friends are having a busy fourth because I have not received one e-mail today. 

There is not much more to say except thanks for the memories.     Maybe I will have something to write about tomorrow if nothing more than that the two Crows have returned to Pisgah Forest. 

Love and prayers from here to there

I came across the following quote from Orville Wright:

    No Flying Machine will ever fly from New York to Paris.

This makes me think of the many people in Florida who have said or at least thought the Rays would never be a good ball club.    They must be choking on those words now.   I saw in the news there is a Lady who is 90 years old and a very loyal fan of the Rays.  She has a few years on me but not more loyal than I am.   I was excited at the first mention of building a Stadium and having a Ball Team.   My Son-in-Law took me to the first game.  What a thrill that was even though we did not win. 

Orville could not fly the plane from New York to Paris and the Devil Rays could not make first place until some changes were made.

Changing Owners and finding the right Manager has brought my team from worst to first.  As I watched the game last night between the Rays and the Red Sox I was thinking these two teams are equally as good.   Boston has veteran players that know  the game from start to finish and the Rays have all young men just learning the game  but they have so much energy and spirit that is why these two teams have been chasing one another for first place.   Happy to say the Rays are at this moment two games ahead of  Boston. 

Hope you all will tune in and watch the Rays you will be glad you did.

Happy 4th of July. 

Love and prayers from here to there

When the Rays played the Pirates last week I noticed the seats in their Stadium.  They are upholstered and padded and look so comfortable.   Since it is not a Dome those seats might make for hard sitting in the heat of the summers up that way.   The seats at the Dome that I could afford are wooden and not made for comfort.  That must be why the Phone Company had a cushion on each seat for the very first game the then Devil Rays played in the Trop.   My Son-in-law Bill took me to that game and we still have the cushions from our seats.   I would take it with me and sit upon it when ever I went to a Rays game. 

Speaking of the Rays game (you knew I would get around to that didn't you?) it was another thriller.   Joe Magrane, one of the great Announcers, said this evening he did not know how much more he could take of this 9th inning excitement.   Both of our Closers are on the DL but the other Pitchers in the Bull Pen have come through for us and won all three of the games we have played the Red Sox.  

Just looked at the time on the computer and it is tomorrow.   So I will say Good Morning and may your day bloom with happiness.

Love and prayers from here to there 

Remember the Squirrel that has been missing from the Bird Feeder?  Well, on the way into town this afternoon the mystery was solved.  A neighbor has been feeding him not by choice.   Seems he has been eating from the Bird Feeder so the neighbor decided enough of this and he stretched a wire from one tree in the yard to another and has three Bird Feeders spaced on that wire.  Each feeder is filled daily with whatever birds eat. 

As we passed the neighbor was chasing the Squirrel down off the wire and away from the Bird Feeders.  From what we could see that Squirrel must have been at one time in his life with the Circus and performed in the High Wire Acts because he was really scooting across that wire like he knew what he was doing.  As soon as the little rascal was down off the wire a Bird landed on each of the Feeders on the wire. 

Well, saw another thriller this evening when the Rays beat Boston 5-4.   As usual the 9th Inning was scary.  Our Closer came up lame and another Relief Pitcher came in and finished the job.  It was a good game.  Pastor Bob and Helen went to the game and I am sure they found it exciting. 

Had a call from a dear friend Victoria.   We were neighbors in St. Petersburg.  She has moved to Pennsylvania.  We had a good time talking about the good ole days at Five Towns. 

That's my day.  How was yours.

Love and prayers from here to there

Watched  the game, another thriller, we won 4-3.  Now the Rays  head home for the Boston Red Sox.   Had dinner, Chicken and mashed potatoes.  Delicious.  Had a phone call from friend Terry and some really great forwards from Joanne.   Tried to find something on TV worth watching - no luck. 

The computer comes to my rescue every time.  I have found Quotes from famous folks interesting and have one I want to share with you today.  It is a quote by Ronald Reagan when he was President.   It certainly is appropriate what with the powers to be having the money printed without "In God We Trust" on it.  He said:

 "If we ever forget that we are "One Nation Under God", then we will be a Nation gone under ."

There are some really great 4th of July quotes.  I will try to find one that works for us, that is for you and me.

Hope you are all ready for the new week.   May it bloom with happiness for one and all.

Love and prayers from here to there

Interesting day today.  Joann and I went to the Bead Store.  I told you yesterday that a gentlemen from Italy was going to be there making jewelry.  He is a Glass Blower and was set up on the porch of this building doing his thing.  Fascinating to say the least.   He does not speak English but his Assistant, a lovely young woman does,   I wore the White Squirrel necklace that Joann made me for my 85th birthday and when I showed it to him from across the porch he smiled and said what I think was  "thank you" because he could see I was pleased with his work.  

Inside they had the things he had made today.   Everything was beautiful.  Two things I saw that I would love to have but could never afford.   There are Paper Weights that are just so pretty.   There are Door Knobs that   I would never put  on a door but would put them on display with my other treasurers.

While talking with he and the Assistant we found that they live near where Becky spends most of her time when visiting in Italy.  We took pictures and Joann will have prints made tomorrow.   I love meeting people from other countries.  All in all it was a fun day.

Then to top the day off the Rays beat the Pirates.  It was not a nail biter but we did win and that is what counts.

Oh, and I did talk with my friend Adith late this afternoon.   Haven't been able to get her on the phone for a couple of weeks so we had a lot of catching up to do.

May your day bloom with happiness.

Love and prayers from here to there 

Reading the weekly newspaper this afternoon I saw where there is to be a Walking Group started for folks (over 60) with Arthritis.  The rest of this day I have been thinking about trying it.  I should qualify, I am over 60 and I sure do have Arthritis. 

Checking the "Quote for the Day" which is "Once you start believing there is nothing you can't do" I am convinced I should at least call and check it out.  I know Daughter Becky would say "go for it Mom".  

I am looking forward to tomorrow.  Joann and I are going to her favorite place in town which is the Bead Store.  There is a gentleman there from Italy who is a Glass Blower.  He makes beautiful jewelry and many different pieces of art.  He comes over twice a year and makes among other things the White Squirrel.  Joann has made me a necklace with the White Squirrel as a pendant.  I will wear it tomorrow.  It is a beautiful piece of jewelry.

My daily report on the Rays, they swept the Marlins.  The score today was 6-1.  Now the Rays head to Pittsburgh.   I have a special interest in the Pittsburgh games because I went to see the Pirates play many times when living in Ohio.  Of course I will be rooting for my team the Rays.

Wishing you all a good night of rest.

Love and prayers from here to there

The Rays made history today they scored 10 runs in one inning.  As glad as I am to see them winning I must admit the game tonight was not as exciting as the close one was last night.   The score tonight was 15-3 our favor.

I have been concerned for the last few days that I have not seen the two Crows and the Squirrel that stop at the Bird Feeder in our back yard.  And I have not seen a Deer for about a week. 

Joann called from upstairs and told me there was a Deer in the Pond.  I hurried to the window but could not find any sight of him because of all the trees and leaves.  After all we do live in a Forest.  Finally I saw his tail among the greenery.  It is rare to see just one.   They usually come four or five at a time.   Kind of like a family.  Well, maybe Mama Deer sent this youngun to get cleaned up for dinner.  Whenever they come it is a treat because they are so beautiful.   I especially like to see them jump over the fence in the side yard or jump over a clump of wild shrubs. 

Maybe I will see the two Crows and the Squirrel tomorrow.

May your day bloom with happiness.

Love and prayers from here to there

Another exciting ball game tonight.   The Rays won 6 to 4.  They played the Marlins in Miami.   The Marlin announcers said the Rays did not win the Marlins handed the game to us.   What they meant was the Marlin's Pitcher walked two runs in.   Both teams are good.   It was really exciting.   A little too exciting for me.   I will play Free Cell for a while before going to bed.   Maybe that will settle me down.

Next the Rays play Pittsburgh and they will go up there for three games.   I will be eager to see a game played in Pittsburgh.    Many years ago I used to go to Pittsburgh to see the Pirates play.   Then it was Forbes Field, don't know what the new stadium is called.   Forbes Field was built at the point where three rivers meet.   That was in the late 40s and 50s.  

Before leaving Ohio and after the Cable came in we watched the Braves.   Guess you might say I am a Baseball Fan.   My Father and my Husband were Yankee fans.   So I get my interest in the game honest.   Joann and Becky are both Rays fans.  Becky is  more interested in Basketball especially the Sonics   For her - Go Sonics.

 Never with any of the other teams have I had the interest I have for the Rays.      Maybe it's because they are my Home Town Team.   Bill took me to the very first Rays game.   I am so happy that they finally are a winning team.

Go Rays.

Love and prayers from here to there 

One interesting note Joann came down with four boxes of jewelry that her friend Susan sent her.   Seems friends left everything in their home to Ron and Susan which included the jewelry   We went over all the necklaces, pins, earrings, etc.  The Lady that wore this jewelry had good taste.   Joann is grateful to Susan because looking over these old pieces has given her new ideas for the jewelry she designs.

All of this reminded me of the things that my friend Margaret sent me from her home before her death.   She asked a relative of ours to keep it until someone came up to Ohio.   Joann made a trip up recently and brought back all these precious things.  There was Fostoria Glass Ware, Figurines that her Sister had painted, all of the pictures I had sent her through the years which were in an Album.  There was also an Album with pictures of her and friends when she was in the WACs, and pictures of her retirement from Wheeling Steel Corp.  

When Margaret got out of the service she wanted to find a job.   I recommended her to the Personnel Manager and when she retired he asked me if I had any more friends like her she was a valued employee.

That takes care of Monday, hopefully I will have something to report tomorrow.

May your days bloom with happiness.

Love and prayers from here to there

The Rays lost today's game by one run.  They were playing the Houston Astros and they have the worst record for the season in their division The Astros that is.   Of the three games the Astros won two.   My Husband had an explanation for games played between the team with the worst record and a team like our Rays.  He called them "the Spoilers".

Had dinner after the game and was washing the dishes when I heard what sounded like a strong wind.   Before I had a chance to look out the window I heard a loud clap of thunder and then lightning flashing in the window.   The TV went out and the computers stopped computing.   I am ready for the lights to go out even though it was not dark yet you never know how long the storm will last.   Joann came down with a Lantern and we waited out the storm just visiting. 

I don't know what is on tap for tomorrow but I will be up and ready.   I love surprises.

Love and prayers from here to there

There is no news from this part of the Forest.  Well, that is not quite true the Rays won tonight.  It was not televised but I kept up with it on the computer.  It is not near as exciting but better than nothing.

I have been reading the news that they show on the computer and I can tell you honestly it scares me.  When I lived in Florida there was always talk about the whole state breaking away from the rest of the US.   OK so now that I have family living in California they are saying the same thing about that state.    This talk of drilling off the coast for Oil scares me too.   What would happen if they take all the oil? 

Folks are taking the train now instead of paying the high price for gasoline.  My Grandfather and an Uncle used to be Engineers on the trains.  My Grandmother cleaned the Coaches every day.  I took the train to Pittsburgh many times and one year my Dad and I went to Philadelphis to attend an Army Navy game. 

I told you all about the train trip to Camp Lee Virginia during the war so you see I am an experienced train traveler.  I love traveling on trains. 

I guess this talking about trains came from watching a movie James wanted us to see. 

This may not have been a newsy reading but proves there is always something to talk about once you get started. 

Hope you all get to Church tomorrow.

Love and prayers from here to there